INSEAD is about connection — and connection is how we’ll move forward and grow through these uncertain times.
Tessa Möller

Tell us about yourself, and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Tessa Möller, I’m 43 years old, and I have two lovely children — a six-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl. I was born in the Netherlands, raised in the UK, and lived in France for several years before attending INSEAD. I’m someone who thrives in the early mornings. I’m full of energy, and I love adventure.
Why did you decide to pursue an MBA, and why INSEAD?
I had a technical background, with a master’s degree from the University of Technology in Delft. I wanted to broaden my skill set and develop more of a helicopter view — not just on the economic landscape, but also the social dimensions that shape it.
There are many MBA options out there, but INSEAD stood out to me because of its truly global community.
That international aspect resonated with my own background—I grew up in different countries and went to a European school. INSEAD felt like a natural fit.
What milestones or achievements have defined your career since graduating from INSEAD, and how has the MBA contributed to these successes?
My first big milestone was stepping into my first leadership role after INSEAD, at a family-run company. That experience really helped me shape my leadership style and build my competencies.
Since then, I’ve navigated three successive promotions while becoming a mother of two, which I see as a dual achievement, balancing personal and professional growth.
And now, I’m channelling my energy into social impact. I work for a scale-up called Analytics for a Better World, affiliated with the University of Amsterdam. Our mission is to empower purpose-driven organisations through data analytics. That entrepreneurial, mission-driven work is something INSEAD truly inspired in me.
How have the skills and knowledge acquired during the MBA programme changed the way you approach business challenges, solve problems and make decisions today?
On the technical side, INSEAD gave me the confidence to manage P&Ls — something I applied immediately after graduating. It also taught me to apply big-picture thinking to real-world problems.
On the softer side, I often think back to a course by Professor Kevin Kaiser, based on his book The Blue Line Imperative. It deeply shaped how I think about long-term value creation — and I still revisit the course materials today. There was even an exercise we did called "The Drawbridge", which later inspired a friend of mine to create a theatre production about prejudices. That shows the ripple effect this kind of learning can have.
Would you agree that the INSEAD MBA helps to build confidence and resilience? If so, how have these qualities been reflected in your personal or professional journey since graduation?
Definitely. INSEAD was truly a transformational experience. At the time, I had a lot of drive but also quite a bit of uncertainty.
Now, as a mother of two in a rapidly changing world, I feel a kind of unshakable energy and a clear drive to do the right thing.
The INSEAD community continues to inspire me — it’s full of like-minded people who want to make a meaningful impact.
There’s a real sense of belonging which is very powerful. It gives you the confidence to take risks, knowing you have a network behind you and the resilience to bounce back if things don’t go as planned.
How have the connections you made at INSEAD shaped your professional or personal life?
Even if it’s just from a distance, I stay in contact with my classmates. I’m also an increasingly active part of the INSEAD alumni association here in the Netherlands.
For example, I’m involved with the Women’s Alumni Group. At a previous employer, I even set up a women’s network and drew on the experiences and support from fellow INSEAD alumni, which has been invaluable. It definitely helps you move your career forward.
Do you think an MBA is still valuable today? And is now a good time to pursue one?
It’s always a good time to pursue an MBA - it gives you tools to face the future with resilience. Yes, the world is going through massive changes, but that’s exactly why an MBA is so relevant right now. It is a big decision—there are always trade-offs, but there’s also a clear business case for it.
INSEAD is about connection — and connection is how we’ll move forward and grow through these uncertain times.
If you had to summarise the value of an MBA in one sentence, what would it be?
For me, the INSEAD MBA was a transformational experience beyond expectations. It was humbling and empowering, and I’m proud to carry that forward as part of an inspiring global community.