During our Strategy classes with Professor Omar Toulan, one word echoed more than any other: alignment. Strategy, at its core, is about making choices — and its success relies on alignment – not only with the organization but also with the external environment.
This concept resonates deeply with me, particularly when thinking about career development. Professional success, like strategic success, relies on alignment between our career choices and our values, and between our aspirations and the environment in which we operate. In today’s world of rapid disruption, the importance of this external alignment has never been more critical.
At IMD, we are fortunate to learn from faculty who not only share their expertise but help us critically interpret current global developments. These conversations – like the one we had last week with Professor Simon Evenett – equip us with the tools and perspectives to navigate today’s complex, fast-changing market landscape. Access to such experienced and insightful faculty during these times is truly invaluable.
Another pillar supporting informed career choices is the strength of the IMD community. I’ve particularly appreciated the events organized by IMD Clubs, which create opportunities to connect with industry professionals and alumni and to learn directly from those on the front lines.
I’m especially proud to co-lead the Women in Business Club alongside two inspiring colleagues, Ashton Songer Ferguson and Agustina Bigatti. We recently hosted our first events, including a powerful session with Professor Vanina Farber, who offered candid reflections and practical advice. The discussion sparked thoughtful dialogue around leadership, intentionality, and navigating complexity as women in business.
I also had the pleasure of participating in Startup Champions Seed Night organized by EPFL with the IMD Entrepreneurship Club, led by Konstantin Dreyer, Daniel Keat, Jens Marczinski, and Anurag Agarwal. It was a heartful experience to return to EPFL with my IMD family and approach the event through a new lens. As an engineer, I once focused mainly on technology; now, after just a few months at IMD, and thanks to the complementarity of courses from marketing to strategy to entrepreneurship, I find myself exploring questions of value proposition, product positioning, customer segmentation, and go-to-market strategies.
This shift in mindset is one of the many transformations I’m grateful for. I had never considered the possibility of working in a startup, but after exposure to many entrepreneurial experiences, especially during the Entrepreneurship Stream, I must say that I enjoy the entropy of the startup world – there’s something exciting about transforming that chaos into structure and purpose.
What stands out most at IMD is the openness and generosity of the alumni network. Many in our cohort have experienced firsthand the willingness of alumni to share, support, and give back. That spirit of giving is rooted in gratitude – a powerful reflection of the institution’s culture and the life-changing impact it has had on so many.
It brings to mind a quote from Give and Take, a book recommended during our Leadership Stream by Professor Zhike Lei:
Givers succeed in a way that creates a ripple effect, enhancing the success of people around them.
That’s the kind of success I aspire to – and the kind of community I’m proud to be a part of.
