Nami Nguyen

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

I am a semi-professional film photographer. Load the film. Set the ISO. Squint one eye. Turn the focus ring. Click. Through my camera, I capture life’s fleeting moments in rich, grainy textures that feel timeless. On my Instagram portfolio, ‘AhalfofNhii’, I’ve shared more than 400 photos and the stories behind them. 

What began as a simple hobby has grown into something unexpected: people now book me for photo sessions. This passion has become not only a creative outlet but also a way to connect with others and preserve life’s beauty through my lens.

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

I was born and raised in a small seaside town in Vietnam, where seafood was part of everyday life, except for me. Funnily and ironically, seafood allergy and anaemia are my two best friends. Living with these conditions taught me discipline and awareness about my health, while also shaping a love–hate relationship with food that later grew into a deeper passion-yet-obsession: making food both nourishing and enjoyable.

After graduating from Vietnam National University, I began my career at Unilever in Brand and Innovation, where I launched water purifier products in Vietnam. There, I learned that even the healthiest products do not sell themselves but require a sharp strategy and a go-to-market plan.

Two years later, I transitioned to Vinamilk, where I gained end-to-end innovation experience, from uncovering consumer insights to bringing new products to market. This expanded my perspective on how innovation can truly transform categories.

To advance my international marketing innovation experience, I joined PepsiCo, where I managed larger cross-functional teams and led new product launches that balanced indulgence with nourishment. Becoming the youngest Brand Manager at PepsiCo, I took on responsibility for brand and innovation strategy at scale, sharpening both my leadership and strategic thinking.

This journey, from personal health challenges to professional growth across leading FMCG companies, has shaped me into someone curious about evolving consumer needs and determined to push the boundaries of food innovation.

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

With six years of experience in brand and innovation, I have launched products across dairy and beverage categories. Some of my launches expanded to other regions, giving me a glimpse of the challenges and excitement of innovation beyond one market. That experience motivated me to broaden my scope and prepare for leadership at a global level.

INSEAD is a critical next step for me to achieve that goal.

 INSEAD's diverse community offer the global perspective I seek. Beyond academics, INSEAD’s leadership development and experiential learning environment will help me strengthen my ability to manage cross-cultural teams and make decisions in complex, fast-changing contexts.

Furthermore, I talked with some alumni before applying and was impressed by how they described INSEAD’s diversity and the lifelong network and friends they made at INSEAD. “INSEAD’s not my best year, it’s the start of my best years”, one alum shared. That perspective captures why I am drawn to INSEAD: INSEAD is more than an MBA; INSEAD is the platform from which I can accelerate my career and shape the international future I aspire to build.

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?

Fontainebleau is a small and cosy hometown, it feels even warmer by being surrounded by the INSEAD community and friendly neighbours. Campus life has been both intense and rewarding, with opportunities to connect with classmates from all over the world. Each day, I walk to campus with different classmates and share meals with new groups, and I’m constantly inspired by how talented and interesting everyone is.

I started looking for accommodation as soon as I accepted my offer, which made the process much smoother. The INSEAD faculty, staff and alumni network were incredibly supportive. Thanks to their advice and guidance, I was able to find a lovely two-bedroom house right in the centre of Fontainebleau.

My tips for incoming students would be: start your housing search early and don’t hesitate to reach out to alumni and the INSEAD housing team, be open to different living arrangements, whether it’s sharing a house or staying close to town. Beyond logistics, embrace the small-town atmosphere: it creates a close-knit environment and makes it easy to form friends and fully immerse yourself in the INSEAD experience.

Could you share a little about your application process?

I completed my GMAT preparation in two months, then spent another two months working on my essays. For me, writing INSEAD essays was more than just an application task; it became a journey of self-reflection and discovery, where I had to step back and articulate not only what I had done, but also who I wanted to become.

“Who are you as a person?”, INSEAD asked. And honestly, I’m not from a too-good-to-be-true background, not the smartest, the most accomplished, or the boldest. There were moments of doubt and a lack of confidence. But I chose to write authentically about my story anyway. I also started to build a unique relationship with the school by speaking with alumni. Their openness and encouragement gave me more confidence and even more desire to get into INSEAD.

My advice for applicants would be: treat the essays as a chance to deeply reflect on your story and aspirations, and reach out to alumni early. Both will make the application process not only more effective but also more meaningful.

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

I feel fortunate to be the only recipient of the generous Zacchaeus Scholarship. Beyond making the MBA financially possible, this scholarship has also greatly eased the burden on my family, who solely depend on my income, allowing my parents to enjoy their retirement with greater peace of mind.

This recognition carries meaning far beyond finances. It reinforces my belief that financial constraints should never be a barrier to education opportunities and personal growth. The Zacchaeus Scholarship for me is both encouragement and responsibility. As a Zacchaeus scholarship recipient, I aspire to motivate other young professionals – just like me – to carry both big dreams and heavy financial burdens. 

 Financial constraints should never be a barrier to education opportunities and personal growth. With my prior experience as a student ambassador at both my college and Unilever, I am committed to paying it forward. I hope to inspire, motivate and support others to pursue opportunities fearlessly, despite financial challenges.

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

For me, the campus exchange is one of INSEAD’s most unique opportunities, offering the chance to gain a broader global perspective and deepen my multicultural insights. I plan to exchange to the Singapore campus in Period 3 and 4 to expand my network, build friendships across campuses and explore recruitment opportunities in Asia. 

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

There are so many aspects that stand out, I can’t choose just one. From tackling real business problems in the core courses to gaining hands-on leadership experience, every week has been both intense and rewarding. On weekends, I often travel to new places with different groups of classmates, which makes each trip feel like a fresh adventure.

Before coming to INSEAD, I was worried that my introverted nature might hold me back from fully immersing myself.

But the energy of the INSEAD community quickly put me at ease. My classmates are so engaging, and their stories are so inspiring that conversations flow effortlessly. That sense of openness, curiosity and excitement is what makes INSEAD truly unique for me.

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?

Beyond academics, I have actively joined competitions and clubs to explore my leadership and teamwork skills. Together with two classmates, we became the only 26J winning team in the INSEAD Summer Start-Up Tour 2025, where we interviewed experts, startups, and VCs in the food industry. That experience was an “aha moment” for me as it sparked the thought that entrepreneurship could be a path I want to pursue in the future.

I aspire to join the RCLG club as it provides a unique platform to exchange perspectives and network in the consumer goods industry. I also look forward to taking part in other case competitions throughout the year as opportunities to practice skills and challenge myself.

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

My advice would be: don’t see the application or the MBA itself as a checklist, but as a journey of discovery and growth. Be authentic in your essays, curious in your conversations, and be open to the unexpected once you arrive on campus. 

INSEAD moves fast, but it also gives you countless opportunities to pause, reflect and grow alongside some of the most inspiring people you’ll ever meet. I’d be more than happy to be contacted by future INSEADers. When I was applying, conversations with alumni were invaluable to me, and I’d love to pay it forward.