Luci Dennewill

Could you share something unexpected or a fun fact about you?

Earlier this year, I spent 10 days in Georgia herding a group of 60 horses over the Caucasus as part of Georgia’s annual animal migration from the steppes to the mountains. We rode for 5-10 hours a day, stopping only to camp in the wilderness or enjoy the hospitality of the locals in small guest houses. I became one of less than 200 foreigners ever to participate in this tradition.

Tell us about yourself, and how you got to where you are today.

In his autobiography, Chris Hadfield writes that when you set out to become an astronaut, it’s important to understand that it’s unlikely to happen, so you have to make life decisions that, while always moving you in the direction of becoming an astronaut, will make you happy even if you never become one.

I, too, want to be a (metaphorical) astronaut, so I have tried to make big life decisions in such a way that I am building the skills I need to do something great, but also making sure that I am passionate about each step, independently of that.

One step has been studying PPE (politics, philosophy, and economics) at Oxford University, where I learned to consume and effectively process high volumes of information under time pressure. Another has been working for CH Robinson (a Fortune 500 transport logistics company), where I got to learn about supply chain - the secret driving force behind the market - and led my own team at the age of 21.

And all throughout, on the side, I have been working with my father to build our family business since I was a teenager, learning perseverance, entrepreneurship, and navigating international large-scale project finance. The most recent step has been to join the INSEAD MBA programme, where, if what I hear from alumni is true, I will be transformed as a person in unexpected ways.

What motivated you to choose the INSEAD MBA, and how do you envision it aligning with your future goals?

I happened to visit the INSEAD campus when I was 12 years old, and was instantly struck by the atmosphere. I got to sit in on a lecture, and listening to the discussion, I knew I had to one day go here.

Ever since then, INSEAD has remained a consistent part of my life plan even as most other aspects have changed.

In the long term, I plan on joining my family business full-time. I believe the MBA will prepare me for this, and also allow me to enter into a related industry in the meantime. Being a part of INSEAD‘s international community of excellence has already opened doors to unexpected opportunities for me.

What are your impressions of campus life so far, and how did you navigate accommodation and sorting out all the admin? Any tips for incoming students?

Being on campus is like what I imagine life in a small village must be: everyone knows each other, and you can’t walk down the hallway without saying hello and stopping to chat with five different people. People are friendly and want to connect; the only reason you might have a free evening is because you choose to. 

Sorting out the admin before arriving can feel quite overwhelming; my advice is to just keep chipping away at it, and you’ll get there. Do whatever you can before you arrive, because once you arrive, things start moving fast.

Could you share a little about your application process?

I took about a month to study for the GMAT and another month to work on my essays. For me, connecting with alumni was the most impactful part of the process. My recommendation for applicants would be to seek out feedback on your essays from alumni and earnestly implement it. I also found that the topics that were hardest for me to write about were received best by the alumni reading my essays, so I would encourage chasing that feeling. I would also encourage applicants not to worry too much about any single aspect of the application; INSEAD is looking for a whole person, and one aspect being slightly weaker doesn’t have to disqualify you.

How did receiving a scholarship influence your decision to join INSEAD, and what does this recognition mean to you beyond the financial aspect?

Getting the scholarship was a really meaningful validation of the work I put into the application. Writing down your personal story can be a challenging and vulnerable experience. Being recognised for that meant a lot to me. Having a bit more financial leeway has also allowed me to explore extracurriculars and living in another country in a way I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.

You are starting your INSEAD MBA in Singapore. Are you planning any campus exchanges?

Bidding allowed, I plan on going to Fonty P4 and P5. I wanted to start in Singapore since I had never lived outside of Europe and wanted to seize the opportunity, but I also look forward to enjoying the traditional French village INSEAD experience.

In your first few weeks, what aspects of the INSEAD MBA have stood out to you as unique or particularly appealing?

I am learning so much from my classmates.  The high calibre of people and the broad range of skills and experiences they bring to our community is a true gift.  

I also enjoy the practical nature of a lot of lessons and the quality of the faculty. From secret auctions and negotiation simulations to high-stakes betting, the professors really make an effort to make the material come alive.

Aside from your academic pursuits, what extracurricular interests or activities are you exploring at INSEAD, and how do you see them enhancing your overall MBA experience?

Engaging with the family business events and other students hoping to join a family business has allowed me to engage with the topic on a much deeper and more nuanced level than I had previously.

Being based in Singapore, travelling around Southeast Asia has been a key part of my experience so far. There is at least one group going on an international trip each weekend!

Any parting words of wisdom, and are you willing to be contacted for more information by prospective students?

If you are on the fence about applying or not sure if you have a chance, give it a go. You have a lot to gain and not a lot to lose.

I am willing to be contacted ;)