Real Humans of the INSEAD MBA Class of 2024

Hamed Stéphane Sangare, INSEAD’s MBA Class of 2024

Age: 35
Hometown: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire 
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Université Catholique de Louvain-la-Neuve, Economics and Management.
Pre-MBA Work Experience (role, company, years): 7 years, Financial Institutions.

Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I intend to pursue a career in sustainable finance, which fosters economically viable and environmentally friendly projects to impact living conditions positively. Though I have sound experience in trade finance, it was important for me to refine my knowledge before stepping into finance with impact business. 

Investors’ willingness to finance sustainable projects and public awareness of climate change effects/impacts are growing worldwide; this is a suitable moment for me to invest in my education on this topic if I want to make an impact.

Why did you choose INSEAD? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
INSEAD MBA has an excellent reputation in Côte d’Ivoire, my origin country, thanks to an INSEAD prominent alumni – Tidjane THIAM – who is highly regarded in the country. 

I wanted to do an MBA in France, where I have worked for the past three years, in an IVY league business school which places global challenges at the core of its teaching topics. My primary constraint was spending less than a year outside the job market. Finally, my decision was driven by my intent to transition to sustainable finance. INSEAD emphasis on business as a force for good resonates with my expected career outlook. The learning experience and leadership training that INSEAD offers will complement my academic and professional profile, bringing me closer to my career goals.

What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2024?
I bring with me a perspective enriched by different backgrounds and cultures. I was born in Côte d’Ivoire, partly raised in Belgium, and lived and worked in Abidjan, London, and Paris before the MBA. I was fortunate to live in various places and learn from different cultures, which fueled my open-mindedness and honed my adaptability to novel, demanding environments. I have deep roots in my African culture mixed with a Western educational background.  This brings a non-linear approach when dealing with global subjects.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I am passionate about the uniqueness of traditional African fabric and how rural village craftsmen transform these fabrics into everyday decorative objects.

Post-MBA career interests:
My short-term objective is to become a business developer or Investment Officer in a development financial institution like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, or African Development Bank. There, I will identify and support the financing of sustainable projects and infrastructures in Africa. 

After building an outstanding career in sustainable finance, my long-term goal is to be an advisor/ consultant on economics and development issues in Africa. The objective would be to leverage my previous experiences to participate in elaborating mechanisms aimed at facilitating investments, domestic and foreign, in projects with high ESG standards.   

Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
The grades and performance on the standardized tests are important. However, our journey leading to the INSEAD MBA application makes each of us unique. Sharing this is important and why we think the INSEAD MBA will bring more value to this journey to help us meet our career and life objectives. 

–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
To have more self-confidence to submit my application in the initial round and not wait for the last round. Though, I am convinced that everything happens for a reason.

–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would not skip any step. Every step of the process was appropriate. 

What is your initial impression of the INSEAD students/culture/community?
Firstly, INSEAD is a truly diverse place. People, including students, faculty and administrative staff members, are literally from around the world. The MBA 24J cohort comprises over 65 passports. The first class, with every student with a name and nationality tag in front of each, felt like attending a United Nations conference. Moreover, the cohort is diverse in terms of academic backgrounds. One day, you can sit at the canteen next to a Ph.D. holder in nuclear physics and, the following day, a sustainable finance venture capitalist. 

Secondly, INSEAD is a solidarity-based community. There is always someone to give you the information you need, no matter the subject, as long as you ask for it. It works as it is, and it is fantastic. From faculty to administrative to students, you feel like everybody is here to share, help and learn from each other.

What is one thing you have learned about INSEAD that has surprised you?
What surprised me the most was how people at INSEAD are open-minded and willing to learn about other cultures and backgrounds. People genuinely pay attention to each other, always greeting while smiling and friendly, reinforcing a psychologically safe environment.

What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
The one thing I am the most anxious about this year is not to dedicate enough time to my family and friends outside the MBA cohort. This year is expected to be intense academically and personally. I hope to find a way to make time for my family and friends so they do not feel left over.

What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
The most expected about this year is the unknown. We all have aspirations about how we want this year to be. However, the most exciting part is what we cannot control. It may concern relationships, trips, group assignments, tight deadline pressure, skills, leadership and learning experience, and emotions. We don’t know what the future holds, and this is the most exciting part.