Steven Gavshon

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

A fun fact: the reason I am married to a Norwegian, and now a Norwegian citizen, can be traced back to an almost fatal bus accident on the Bolivia–Peru border, a story I usually only share properly over a beer.

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

I have taken a relatively unconventional path to where I am today, with my professional and personal journeys closely intertwined.

I left home at 17 to study Mechanical Engineering in the Australian Army, before switching to Aeronautical after being inspired by Air Force friends, and perhaps a bit too much Top Gun. This move opened a pathway from operations into design and project engineering, and gave me early exposure to high-stakes environments, technical rigour and leading small teams under pressure. Although I had unforgettable experiences, from explosives training in central Australia to flight training in Oakey and even a stint as a whitewater kayak instructor, the Army was not where I ultimately found my passion.

That next chapter began when my then-girlfriend, now wife, and I relocated to her home country of Norway after my service. I started in project management, leading complex marine customer projects, and was soon poached to help establish the Norwegian arm of an Australian consulting company in the defence sector. At Nova Aerospace, I learned how a supportive, family-friendly culture can unlock performance while working with the Norwegian Air Force on the introduction of advanced rescue helicopters. Later, an opportunity with my former employer led to a truly global role spanning Europe, China, Vietnam and beyond, and I returned to project management to lead one of the largest environmental projects in the industry at the time.

From there, I transitioned from project and programme management into business development focused on electrifying the marine industry. This is where I discovered my passion: accelerating maritime electrification, broader e-mobility and their intersection with electricity markets and the energy transition.

Today I work in general management and strategic roles, including leading global operations and, most recently, a worldwide team of supply chain professionals with a global leader in marine electrification. This has allowed me to witness first-hand the rapid rise of China as a powerhouse in new energy technologies and to collaborate with some of the fastest-moving technology leaders globally. Alongside this, I led a strategically important project delivering the electrical and propulsion system for the world’s largest battery-electric vessel, the Incat Hull 096, being built in my home country, Australia. This project brought my wife and our two children back to Australia for a year of sunshine and beaches, before we return to the cold, dark Nordic winter and, for me, the next step of my journey at INSEAD. 

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

I had been exploring Executive MBA options for several years, looking for a programme that would genuinely justify the financial, professional and family commitment involved. I wanted a platform that could help me pivot from general management into more financial and executive leadership roles, so I can fast-track and capture the opportunities emerging from the energy transition and large-scale electrification.

I always assumed INSEAD was beyond my reach, but one day the Tsinghua–INSEAD Executive MBA (TIEMBA) caught my eye. As I read more and spoke with INSEAD staff and alumni, I realised I had found a programme that aligned deeply with my belief that the energy transition will not happen at scale without China’s speed, innovation and resources.  

 TIEMBA’s blend of Eastern and Western perspectives, and the chance to study within both institutions, felt unique.  

Anyone researching top EMBA programmes in the West knows INSEAD’s reputation, but at the time, I underestimated the real influence of Tsinghua in Chinese business and society. During our first module, visiting suppliers in China, I experienced firsthand how powerful that network and brand are. The combined reach of INSEAD and Tsinghua in East–West business is hard to appreciate until you are actually immersed in it.

After this investigation, I was convinced I had finally found a programme that could both inspire me intellectually and open doors for my future career. The remaining question was whether we, as a family, were ready for the financial and time commitment. After careful discussion at home, we concluded that the long-term benefits clearly outweighed the costs, and my manager was supportive once he understood the programme’s potential impact. In the end, the programme really did sell itself, and it has already exceeded my expectations.

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

The experience so far has been nothing short of energising. Having visited Beijing, Abu Dhabi and Singapore, each module has given me a fresh boost of energy and perspective in my daily work.

Academically, we are taught by world-class faculty and industry thought leaders from both East and West, and the mix of rigorous theory with the experience in the room constantly pushes me to rethink how I approach business and my own career. It has opened new perspectives that have genuinely enriched my workday, not just during modules but in the decisions I make back at the office. The Leadership Development Programme has now started, and even the first sessions have already led me to introduce new leadership practices with my team, particularly around feedback and reflection.

My fellow participants are a huge part of the experience. With such a rich diversity of backgrounds and industries, I have learned so much from them, from challenging debates in class to being reminded how to socialise late into the night and still show up ready to contribute early the next morning. I began the programme with very high expectations, and so far every module has surpassed them. The hardest part is the countdown between modules, as I am always impatient to get back into the classroom and continue the journey together. 

Can you share a little about your application process and what you found most helpful and challenging during your preparation?

The application process was rigorous, but I felt supported the whole way through. With multiple tests and interviews, it was clear that the school was focused on ensuring a high-quality, well-matched cohort.

The most daunting part for me was an online interview with a panel of Tsinghua professors and alumni, as I had not been on the interviewee side for many years, let alone in a Chinese context. Once the conversation started, however, it became clear that they were genuinely interested in my story, motivations and fit with the programme, which made the experience both challenging and encouraging.

The INSEAD team also supported me beyond the formal assessments, including very practical advice on how to structure the finances to make the programme possible for my family and me. Looking back, the process required serious preparation, but I always felt there was someone I could reach out to with questions along the way.

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

There is a reason INSEAD is consistently ranked among the top Executive MBA programmes globally; those rankings reflect the lived experiences I have had so far. In a recent module in Abu Dhabi, I had to pinch myself. After a long day in the classroom, I found myself with my amazing classmates, dressed in a tailor-made kandura, eating local Emirati food and joining a traditional cane dance at a cultural festival. These are the kinds of experiences and friendships that will stay with me for life.

My advice is simple: if you feel a pull towards INSEAD, take it seriously. Talk to alumni, reflect honestly on your goals and constraints, and then commit fully to the journey. It is intense, but incredibly rewarding, so don’t hesitate. Jump in.