Georges El Nachef

Can you tell us a bit about your background before INSEAD?

I was born and raised in Lebanon and studied engineering at the American University of Beirut. After graduating, I went straight into consulting. In 2010, consulting was still quite new in the Middle East. I joined Kearney as employee number 16 in the region, and by the time I left nine years later, the office had grown to 500 people. I rose through the ranks from analyst to manager. After almost a decade, I knew it was time to step back and ask myself what I wanted to do next.

What motivated you to pursue an MBA at INSEAD?

For me, the MBA was both a discovery process and a reset. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to change industries, but I knew I wanted to change geographies. INSEAD was the perfect choice: a one-year programme that gave me the chance to take time out from consulting, explore new possibilities, and expand my international network. I joined in 2019 as part of the July class.

How did the MBA influence your career path?

It helped me achieve both of the things I set out to do: change geography and change industry. After graduation, I was recruited by a private equity firm to become Chief of Staff for the Marketing Director of one of their subsidiaries in France. 

Later, I took a sabbatical year to travel, including attending seven INSEAD weddings around the world! Today, I work as Chief of Staff to the CEO of a telecom company, also private equity-backed.

Were there standout moments from your time at INSEAD?

Absolutely. There were so many unforgettable ones. Dash Day stands out immediately: the entire cohort dressing up in costume and parading from the château to campus. Another flagship moment was Master Strategist Day, where sections compete to solve a real business challenge under intense time pressure; the adrenaline was unmatched.

As Social Rep, I also helped organise some of the biggest trips of our year. We brought 150 classmates to Budapest after exams and later took another 150 to Lebanon for an incredible 10-day cultural and social immersion.

Academically, one highlight was the Search Fund class, where we presented our projects to a panel of real investors. It was the perfect blend of practical application, strategic thinking, and real-world pressure — classic INSEAD.

What skills or learnings have stayed with you the most?

Managing conflict.  At INSEAD, you’re constantly working in small groups with people from very different backgrounds and priorities. Learning how to resolve conflicts constructively has been invaluable in my career.  

I also use negotiation techniques I learnt on campus, and they've helped me secure both my post-INSEAD roles and negotiate contracts successfully. Beyond hard skills, the experience built resilience. INSEAD is a rollercoaster of highs and lows, and living through that prepares you for challenges later on.

You were also very involved in the OUTSEAD community. Can you tell us more about that?

Yes, INSEAD was the first time I was publicly out. Before, I had been open in my personal life but never in a professional or academic setting. Coming out at INSEAD felt safe. The diversity of the community gave me the confidence to be myself, and that changed my experience completely.

I joined the OUTSEAD student club on campus, which became one of the most important parts of my MBA. It wasn’t only about social events. It was about visibility, representation, and making sure every student felt included.

After graduation, a few of us based in Paris realised there was no alumni OUTSEAD network, so we decided to start one. At the beginning, it was just a handful of people meeting informally, but it quickly grew. We began organising bigger events ranging from professional networking evenings to social gatherings. This year, we hosted our first global OUTSEAD gala, bringing together alumni from across Europe and the US.

For me, building the alumni club has been one of the most meaningful things I’ve done since graduating. It creates continuity: people can come out and be part of the OUTSEAD community on campus, and then continue that journey afterwards as alumni. 

The network is also very practical, whether it’s meeting someone for a coffee while travelling, getting career advice from someone more senior, or connecting with alumni from different generations.

What does inclusion at INSEAD mean to you?

At INSEAD, diversity is a given. There are people from all over the world, different industries, different life experiences. Inclusion is about making sure everyone feels they can show up authentically in that environment.

OUTSEAD gave me that space. I felt I could be myself without hesitation, and it’s why I’m so committed to strengthening the community for future students and alumni.

What advice would you give to someone considering INSEAD?

Come with an open mind. Be curious, meet as many people as you can, and don’t shy away from conversations that might be different from what you’re used to. And if you’re thinking about whether to be out, INSEAD is a safe place to do that. You’ll find a supportive community and the chance to build friendships and networks that last well beyond the programme.