Mary-Anne Xia

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

Despite having tackled some pretty big challenges in life, one surprising fact about me is that I still can’t ride a bike! Perhaps I’ll add it to my post-GEMBA bucket list!  

Tell us about yourself, and how you got to where you are today both on a professional and personal level.

My family emigrated to Australia when I was a child, and growing up in a new country sparked my interest in human behaviour and how people adapt to change. This curiosity, combined with a strong desire to make a tangible difference in people’s lives, led me to pursue a career in medicine.  

I chose neurosurgery after my grandfather became ill, and the impact of that experience solidified my commitment to the field. While I’ve found great fulfilment in neurosurgery for the last 14 years, I realised I wanted a bigger challenge that would allow me to create a broader impact beyond individual patient care. This led me to pursue the GEMBA at INSEAD, where I am developing the leadership and strategic skills needed to drive change. 

What led you to decide to pursue an Executive MBA, and why did you choose INSEAD in particular?

Having spent most of my life in Australia, I wanted to expand my career beyond a single region and build an international outlook. I was drawn to the idea of learning alongside people from diverse cultures and professional backgrounds, which I knew would challenge my thinking and broaden my understanding of global business.   

INSEAD’s reputation as a world-leading institution and its exceptional alumni network made it the perfect place to gain the skills and connections needed to prepare me for the next phase of my professional journey.  

How would you describe your experience so far? What is your impression of the faculty, the curriculum, and your fellow participants?

The GEMBA experience has been intellectually and personally stimulating, particularly coming from a background that is very different from the traditional business world.  

The faculty at INSEAD are truly impressive. The professors are highly engaging, bring a wealth of knowledge, and consistently challenge your way of thinking, pushing you to see problems from new perspectives. 

My classmates are a remarkably diverse, driven, and supportive group of individuals. We’ve built meaningful connections and friendships I’ll value for years. 

So far, it has been a demanding yet rewarding journey that has broadened my mindset in ways I never expected.

What advice would you give to someone who might be interested in pursuing an INSEAD programme?

Just do it! There’s never a “perfect” time to start, so don’t let life’s challenges hold you back. I interviewed for GEMBA when I was eight months pregnant and started classes when my daughter was just four months old, flying to Singapore every month whilst balancing a full-time job. 

At the same time, my husband was also working full-time while pursuing his own master’s degree, so we were both managing demanding careers, studying for our respective master’s programmes, and adjusting to life as first-time parents to a newborn.  

GEMBA is intense, and life doesn’t stop, but if you are passionate about learning and personal growth, you will find a way to make it work—and it is absolutely worth it!