Meet some new members of the IESE MBA Class of 2026, a remarkable cohort that embodies diversity, experience, and ambition in this edition of our Real Humans: MBA Students series. Hailing from Lagos to Baghdad, Santiago to Seoul, these students bring a rich tapestry of backgrounds and aspirations to the vibrant Barcelona campus.
The latest IESE class is comprised of about 350 students. The students’ average age is 29 at the time of matriculation, and GMAT scores range from 580 to 750. More than 50 countries are represented by the class, and international students make up 85%, while women comprise 40% of the student body. The average student joined IESE with 5.4 years of full-time work experience.
In the following pages, get to know some new IESE MBA students beyond the class profile. To start, Falilat Adamson from Nigeria combines her experience in finance, fintech, and banking with a deep commitment to gaining a global business perspective. At IESE, she seeks to enhance her strategic and leadership skills to further her career in fintech and international finance. Then, Ahmed Tuma, an engineer from Iraq, draws from his journey across the energy and consulting sectors, driven by a “spiral” approach to career growth that has brought him to tackle strategic issues in Iraq’s power sector. He chose IESE for its mission to cultivate impactful leaders and is excited to contribute his unique perspective to his classmates while building a global network to help his home country. Continue on to hear from Rodrigo Villazon Camargo, who combines consulting experience with entrepreneurial spirit. Having co-founded two food-tech startups and advised clients at Bain & Company, he sees IESE as a launchpad to explore new avenues, from venture capital to search funds. From Chile, Isidora Rodríguez Germany brings expertise in customer intelligence, product development, and business development from LATAM Airlines and Mercado Libre. She chose IESE for its global exposure, academic rigor, and practical learning opportunities. Additionally, Joo Shin Kim from South Korea has built a career as an architect and operations planner. He selected IESE for its values of service and diversity, as well as its case-based learning approach, which will help him transition into strategy and general management roles. Finally, Valeria Giachetti, who has roots in Italy, France, and Botswana, spent eight years in project management at Boston Scientific. Now at IESE, she aims to transition into venture capital or consulting, ultimately to return to her family’s real estate and hospitality business.
As the IESE Class of 2026 embarks on this transformative journey, they look forward to forging meaningful connections, diving into hands-on business challenges, and exploring the beautiful and culturally rich city of Barcelona. From navigating case studies to building lifelong friendships, these students are united by their drive to create a lasting impact in the business world and beyond. Read on for their stories.
