This scholarship is also a reminder that INSEAD values diverse paths and personal ambition, not just traditional profiles.
Mottalif Radib
Could you share something unexpected or a fun fact about you?
From age 18 to 22, while studying advanced mathematics in classes préparatoires to prepare for the engineering school exam, I worked evenings as a pizzaiolo and delivery driver. I became a master of the perfect dough and learned to juggle evening shifts with morning lectures, an early crash course in time management that still serves me today. Plus, I make an excellent homemade pizza now!
Tell us about yourself and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in El Jadida, a small fishing town on Morocco's Atlantic coast. At nine, I immigrated to France with my mother, and we settled in Les Vergnes, a neighbourhood in Clermont-Ferrand known for limited opportunities. The schools I attended, Collège La Charme and Lycée Ambroise Brugière, had low success rates, but I took it as a challenge to push beyond what was expected of me.
My first major achievement was earning an engineering diploma in industrial management from École des Mines de Saint-Étienne. From there, I won the "Digital Engineer of the Year" award in 2017, and I started doing what I love most: working on tech projects and building things. With a few friends, I co-founded a startup incubated at Station F. It was an incredible experience; we found creative ways to acquire 70,000 users with almost no budget.
My most recent role was Chief of Staff at Akkodis, managing a €270M global portfolio alongside my director. Each chapter taught me something essential: resilience from my childhood, precision from engineering, and strategic thinking to create impact. Today, I'm at INSEAD to deepen my knowledge, push my limits further, and create a positive impact around me.
What motivated you to choose the INSEAD MBA, and how do you envision it aligning with your future goals?
INSEAD was the culmination of years of deliberate research. I attended open days in 2022 and 2024, and had dozens of conversations with alumni who were happy to share their experiences.
Three factors sealed my choice: INSEAD's unmatched international DNA with 90+ nationalities creating a true global impact and network.
The multi-campus model allows me to study in Fontainebleau, Singapore, or Abu Dhabi, and the one-year intensive format is demanding yet enables me to return quickly to the professional world and make an impact. I've met many alumni with incredible careers across all sectors and industries, as well as successful entrepreneurs, some of whom I had the opportunity to cross paths with during my time at Station F. I really value the possibility of keeping all horizons open, whether pursuing high-responsibility leadership roles or building my own startup or company.
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?
The atmosphere at INSEAD is truly incredible. What struck me the most was the diversity of people from all around the world and the genuine spirit of collaboration and support. Certainly, the academic level is very high, but what’s equally important is the strong sense of mutual help among students. There is a constant exposure to the business world. We have frequent interactions with companies, with business leaders regularly coming to campus to present their activities and engage with students. This helps us better envision our future paths, while also challenging some of the assumptions we may have had when arriving at INSEAD. It’s an experience that combines academic rigour with constant exposure to global companies, allowing us to grow and progressively refine our career aspirations.
In terms of tips for future students, I’d definitely recommend opening a French bank account as soon as possible to make payments and manage expenses easier. Also, it’s crucial to start your administrative procedures, like visa applications, well in advance, especially if you’re a non-EU student. That way, you can reduce stress and arrive well-prepared.
Could you share a little about your application process?
My application journey was a long marathon, not a sprint. It began with deep introspection: understanding who I am and what I truly wanted from an MBA.
In addition, there was a significant preparation phase for the GMAT and TOEFL exams. I highly recommend starting early and studying consistently over time, rather than cramming at the last minute.
Overall, I made sure to anticipate every step of the process and submitted my application in the first round to maximise my chances. I was certain that INSEAD was the right fit for me, and I prepared rigorously throughout.
How did receiving a scholarship influence your decision to join INSEAD, and what does this recognition mean to you beyond the financial aspect?
Beyond the financial support, this recognition carries a strong symbolic meaning for me. It represents trust and confidence in my trajectory and in the choices I have made so far. Knowing that INSEAD and the Eric Sasson MBA'90D committee believe in my potential reinforces my motivation to fully commit to the programme and make the most of this experience.
This scholarship is also a reminder that INSEAD values diverse paths and personal ambition, not just traditional profiles. It gives me a strong sense of responsibility to contribute actively to the community, both during the programme and later as an alumnus. In that sense, it is not only support, but also encouragement to keep pushing myself and, in the long run, to give back.
You are starting your INSEAD MBA in Fontainebleau and are doing an exchange in Abu Dhabi. How has that experience been so far?
Starting my MBA in Fontainebleau gave me what many would consider the “classic” INSEAD experience: the château, the forest, and a very close-knit campus life where academic intensity and social interactions blend naturally. It’s a unique environment that encourages focus, reflection, and strong connections with classmates.
Choosing to do an exchange in Abu Dhabi was a deliberate decision, closely aligned with my interests in the Middle East and Africa. The contrast between the two campuses is striking in the best way. Abu Dhabi offers a very different setting, with strong links to regional businesses, sovereign wealth funds, and fast-growing markets. The exposure to the Gulf ecosystem adds a practical, forward-looking dimension to the academic experience.
What I find particularly interesting is how the same mindset carries across campuses: people are open, engaged, and willing to help each other, even though the context and pace are different. Having grown up between Morocco and France and having previously worked on projects in the region, this exchange feels both natural and useful.
In your first few weeks, what aspects of the INSEAD MBA have stood out to you as unique or particularly appealing?
You realise very quickly that the one-year format is intense. It forces you to prioritise, make trade-offs, and adapt fast. You can’t do everything, so organisation and discipline become essential.
Three things stood out to me. First, the depth of diversity, not just in nationality, but in ways of thinking, career paths, and life experiences.
Second, the peer learning model is genuinely distinctive. You learn almost as much from classmates as from professors. The 60+ perspectives in each case discussion are grounded in real professional and personal experience. Finally, what surprised me most was the emphasis on self-awareness. Courses like Organisational Behaviour push you to understand yourself before leading others. It’s not only about strategy or finance, but about becoming a more self-aware and grounded leader.
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?
Aside from academics, I am actively involved in two clubs that align closely with my long-term goals. I serve as VP Learning & Development for the Search Fund & ETA Club and as VP Impact & Entrepreneurship for the Africa Business Club. The Search Fund & ETA Club reflects my ambition to acquire and lead companies in the future, a model well-suited to my entrepreneurship and corporate background. The Africa Business Club connects directly to my roots and to my commitment to contributing to the continent’s economic development through entrepreneurship and investment.
Beyond formal clubs, I maintain personal interests that help me stay balanced during the programme. I train regularly with my INSEAD fitness crew, where we motivate each other to stay consistent, and I enjoy hiking in the Fontainebleau forest, which allows me to disconnect and recharge outside the classroom.
Any parting words of wisdom, and are you willing to be contacted for more information by prospective students?
Absolutely, I’m happy to connect with prospective students, especially those from non-traditional backgrounds, emerging markets, or anyone wondering whether INSEAD is “for people like them.” I’m always glad to talk about INSEAD and to give back, just as alumni generously took the time to answer my questions and share their experiences with me.
