How TIEMBA Alumni are Making an Impact in the World • China Admissions

The Tsinghua-INSEAD Executive MBA (TIEMBA) isn’t just any business program; it’s known worldwide as one of the best qualifications for experienced executives to excel in the corporate world. It welcomes aspiring business leaders to foster their curiosity and ambitious goals.

Evident from an impressive track record, TIEMBA graduates acquire the skills and knowledge they need to thrive as effective leaders in today’s complex and ever-evolving business landscape.

Are you curious how TIEMBA alumni fare after completing the program? How do they apply their learning and experience to positively impact their organizations, industries, and communities? Read on for the inspiring stories of TIEMBA alumni who have transformed their careers and lives through the program.

How My EMBA Gave Me Insight Into The Chinese Economy

Urs Laeuppi is the research and development director for autonomous vehicles at Daimler, a leading automotive company. He joined TIEMBA in 2010, as an engineer who wanted to learn more about business management and strategy. TIEMBA gave him a global perspective and a deep understanding of the Chinese market and culture. The lessons on reforms in the Chinese economy particularly inspired him. He applied his learning to his career and established a joint research center for sustainable mobility for Daimler and Tsinghua University.

Bogdan’s Wisdom of Doing Business in China

Bogdan Burchila is the COO of Erasteel, a company that produces high-speed steels and metal powders. He has a deep connection with China, having visited China with his father as early as 1992, and worked in China for over 10 years since 2011. He chose TIEMBA in 2012, as he wanted to understand the main differences and concepts that define the behavior and business decision patterns of Chinese companies. TIEMBA helped him adapt to the fast changes and high competition in the Chinese business environment. He shares his experience and wisdom of doing business in China, emphasizing the importance of constant adaptation and fast advancement.

How TIEMBA Transformed The Mid-Life Careers

Anil Kumar is a consultant at McKinsey & Company, who switched from banking to consulting in 2014. He developed his analytical skills and strategic thinking from TIEMBA, which helped him land a job at a prestigious consulting firm. He also became a social entrepreneur, founding Greenovate, a social enterprise that provides green solutions for urban development in China.

Denis Lambert is the head of business development at Airbus China, a leading aerospace company. He joined TIEMBA in 2014, as he wanted to broaden his horizons and learn more about the Chinese market and culture. TIEMBA helped him acquire new knowledge and skills in business management, strategy, and innovation, and expand his network and opportunities.

TIEMBA Opens Career Opportunities

Andrew Youssef, currently the General Manager for an American manufacturing company based in Dubai, started his career as a factory worker in China. His TIEMBA journey not only deepened his understanding of the Chinese market and culture but also equipped him with best practices from Western universities. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID pandemic, he was able to gain insights from top professors and classmates, preparing him to seize opportunities as soon as China reopened.

Unprecedented Opportunities for Alibaba

Daniel Song is the CEO of Alibaba Group, one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. He joined TIEMBA as a senior manager at Alibaba who wanted to learn from the best practices of global companies and gain exposure to different cultures and perspectives. TIEMBA gave him access to a global network of alumni and resources, as well as inspiring lessons from world-class faculty. He leveraged his TIEMBA experience to lead Alibaba’s digital transformation and innovation. He became the CEO just one year after completing TIEMBA.

How TIEMBA Helped Me Integrate Startup and Social Service

Li Jian is the founder and CEO of Eddid, a fintech startup that provides digital asset management services. He is also the founder and chairman of Eddid Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports social innovation and education. He shares how TIEMBA helped him develop his entrepreneurial mindset and skills, and how he leverages his network and resources to create positive social impact.

Dealing with Challenges Confidently

Wang Yan, now the CEO of Cowell Technology and SVP of Cowell Health, was born into a medical family and witnessed the growth of his company from scratch to one of the country’s largest drug stores. His journey with TIEMBA equipped him to confidently face global changes in the healthcare industry, especially in the wake of COVID-19.=

Insights into Chinese Culture and Business

Deyi Wu, currently serving as the Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Schneider Electric China, joined TIEMBA to deepen her understanding of the Chinese market and culture. The program provided her with new perspectives and insights into the Chinese business environment, culture, and innovation, significantly enhancing her strategic thinking and leadership skills.

Magdalene’s Experience with the Tsinghua-INSEAD EMBA

Magdalene Loh is the Founder and CEO of Silverline Mobile, a social enterprise that provides mobile technology solutions for seniors. She embarked on her TIEMBA journey in 2017 as a marketer aspiring to grow as a leader and entrepreneur. The program helped her develop an entrepreneurial mindset and exposed her to different cultures and perspectives.

Impressed by the TIEMBA Faculty

Josh Halpern is the founder and executive director of Getting to Global, a platform that helps e-commerce companies expand globally. His interest in TIEMBA arose from a desire to diversify his network and update his knowledge. He shares how TIEMBA helped him develop his entrepreneurial mindset and skills, and how the faculty inspired him with their expertise and passion.

The Perfect Dual-Degree Set-Up

Werner Koestler, now the Senior Vice President at Continental, started his career as an engineer in the same company. His TIEMBA experience equipped him with invaluable knowledge about business management and strategy, and offered him a deep dive into the Chinese economy and culture. This transformative journey helped him evolve his leadership style and skills.

Leading with Enhanced Vision

Susanne Arfelt, the Managing Director of Unilever Thailand, embarked on her TIEMBA journey in 2016 with a desire to refine her leadership skills. The program’s world-class faculty and diverse cohort challenged her to step out of her comfort zone, leading to significant personal and professional growth. Despite juggling studies, work, and family commitments, she successfully navigated through this enriching experience. She shares her advice for prospective students who are considering joining TIEMBA.

Read more Alumni Stories on the official account for TIEMBA on WeChat.

Join TIEMBA Class of 2027

Ranked #3 by the Financial Times in 2018, the Tsinghua – INSEAD Executive MBA (TIEMBA) is a unique partnership between INSEAD, one of the world’s leading business schools, and Tsinghua, one of China’s most prestigious universities. The program takes place across INSEAD’s three campuses in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Fontainebleau (France), and Tsinghua’s campus in Beijing.

As a participant, you will exchange perspectives within an elite, dynamic, culturally diverse class of experienced managers and be part of two powerful alumni networks. The TIEMBA is where life-changing leadership development meets the technical mastery of key business disciplines. And both make an immediate impact on your organization. It is the best of East and West, learning and working, technical knowledge and soft skills — all in a single program.

Applications for 2025 Intake are now open!

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Kay M

Kay contributes to the Marketing team at China Admissions. A "third-culture kid" based in Thailand, she has had lifelong exposure to international communities and has worked with top global brands. Having studied abroad herself, she encourages young minds to invest in their self-development and foster an appreciation for new countries and cultures.