My experience at INSEAD so far has been truly exceptional.
Gavin Gan
Could you share something unexpected or a fun fact about you?
People often assume I’m a nerd because my work involves dealing with complex systems and people. But outside of work, I’m actually drawn to the opposite kind of energy. I love competitive sports such as football, basketball or F1. I really enjoy the strategy, the intensity and the thrill of direct competition.
Tell us about yourself, and how you got to where you are today both on a professional and personal level?
I’ve always been driven by innovation and by the opportunity to build meaningful products with smart, reliable people. Looking back, my career path has been shaped by a simple belief: the most fulfilling work happens when you are solving hard problems that create real value.
I joined Uber because I wanted to be part of a fast-moving environment where products could scale quickly and make a real impact. Working on consumer-facing initiatives, I had the rare opportunity to witness a business grow from zero to billions of dollars. Later, I moved to ByteDance, where my focus shifted towards enterprise transformation. I worked on applying AI to make business functions smarter and more scalable.
On a personal level, I’m genuinely motivated by others, their growth, their challenges and their potential. This has shaped my leadership style. I try to appreciate the strengths in each person, unite the team and create an environment where people can grow together. For me, success is not only about building great products and businesses, but also about helping those around me become better and achieve more.
What led you to decide to pursue an Executive MBA, and why did you choose INSEAD in particular?
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to gain strong experience in building products, leading technical teams and driving innovation in fast-paced environments. However, as my responsibilities grew, I realised that creating great products is only part of the bigger picture. To lead at a higher level, I need a stronger foundation in business, including strategy, finance, organisational leadership and how to make decisions with a broader commercial perspective. Pursuing an Executive MBA felt like the right step to fill this gap and become a more complete, well-rounded leader.
I chose INSEAD because of its unique global reputation and mindset. INSEAD is widely known as “the business school for the world,” and that identity truly resonated with me. I strongly believe that diversity inspires creativity. Different perspectives challenge assumptions, spark better ideas, and ultimately lead to better solutions. INSEAD’s international environment felt like the perfect place for that kind of learning and growth.
What excites me most is the opportunity to learn alongside outstanding people from all over the world.
How would you describe your experience so far? What is your impression of the faculty, the curriculum, and your fellow participants?
My experience at INSEAD so far has been truly exceptional. It has exceeded my expectations in every way and reinforced why INSEAD is considered one of the world’s top business schools.
The learning environment is intense but incredibly energising, and every module feels thoughtfully designed to push you to think deeper and broader.
I’ve been especially impressed by the faculty. The professors are not only academically outstanding, but also remarkably skilled at making complex concepts clear, engaging and highly relevant. Their teaching style is both rigorous and accessible, and they bring the classroom to life through real-world examples and interactive discussions. It makes learning both effective and genuinely enjoyable.
The curriculum has also been extremely practical for my work. Courses such as Organisational Behaviour, Microeconomics and Corporate Finance have already given me new frameworks and tools that I can apply immediately.
At the same time, the cohort has been one of the biggest highlights. It is an impressive group of professionals from 13 different countries and a wide range of industries. Learning alongside them has broadened my perspective significantly, and I find myself constantly inspired by their experiences and insights.
Can you share a little about your application process and what you found most helpful and challenging during your preparation?
The application process was a valuable journey of reflection. It wasn’t simply about showcasing my achievements, but about clearly articulating my motivations, leadership style and long-term aspirations.
What I found most helpful was speaking with alumni and faculty members. Their insights gave me a much clearer understanding of the programme culture and what INSEAD truly values. More importantly, their thoughtful questions pushed me to reflect deeply and gain greater clarity on what I wanted from this journey.
The most challenging part was balancing the preparation with a demanding professional schedule. Writing the essays required honesty, structure and multiple iterations. Overall, the process helped me better understand myself and my direction.
What advice would you give to someone who might be interested in pursuing an INSEAD programme?
My advice would be to start with clarity of purpose. Be honest with yourself about why you want to pursue the programme and what you hope to achieve, not only in your career, but also in your personal growth and leadership journey.
Secondly, talk to people. Conversations with alumni, faculty members and current participants can offer insights that no brochure or website can provide. These perspectives will help you better understand the culture, evaluate the fit and prepare with much more confidence.
Finally, if you decide to begin this journey, come with a beginner’s mindset and an open heart. The more willing you are to learn, unlearn and embrace new perspectives, the more surprises and breakthroughs you will gain along the way.
