Victor Musila Mutunga, IESE MBA Class of 2027
Age: 27 years
Hometown: Nairobi
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Nairobi, BSc. Industrial Chemistry
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Senior Associate (Strategy & Business Development), Healthtech, Maisha Meds, July 2023 – June 2025; Commercial Lead, Technology (Food delivery), Glovo, Aug 2021 – July 2023; Associate, Strategy Consulting, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) – April 2020 – Aug 2021
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I decided to pursue business school because I’ve reached an inflection point in my career. Over the past few years, I’ve worked across consulting, tech, and healthcare—experiences that built my problem-solving and operational skills, but also showed me the gaps I need to fill to achieve my long-term vision of building and investing in sustainable businesses in emerging markets.
Now is the right time because I’ve tested entrepreneurial ideas, developed sector breadth, and gained clarity on the type of leader I want to become. Business school will give me the global network, investment expertise, and perspective I need to accelerate that journey. It will also help gain critical communication skills especially in public speaking which is a key skill I really want to have
Why did you choose IESE? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose IESE because it best fits my career and personal goals. Its strength in general management and global leadership is ideal for my ambition to build and invest in sustainable businesses across Africa, MENA, and Latin America. I value the case-method approach, which sharpens strategic thinking and reflects the consulting work I’ve enjoyed. Just as important, IESE’s diverse, international community and values-driven culture resonate deeply with me. Finally, the strong alumni presence in private equity and technology provides the mentorship and network I need for my post-MBA journey.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
I think my most valuable contribution to the Class of 2027 will be the perspective I bring from working across consulting, tech, and healthcare in frontier markets. At BCG, I learned to solve complex strategic problems; at Glovo, I drove commercial growth in a fast-paced startup environment; and at Maisha Meds, I worked on expanding access to healthcare through data and technology.
What ties these experiences together is learning how to operate where resources are limited and innovation is critical. I’ll bring that entrepreneurial mindset and cross-sector insight to classroom discussions, while also contributing a collaborative approach that helps my peers push their own ideas further.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I almost joined the military as I saw it as my path to become a commercial pilot later if I managed to become an Airforce pilot. I was shortlisted, but eventually opted not to attend as I didn’t want to live in barracks.
Post-MBA career interests:
In the short term, I want to join a top-tier firm like Bain’s Private Equity Group or a leading investment fund. That will give me the investment and value-creation experience I need while exposing me to different industries and global markets.
In the long term, I plan to leverage those skills to build and invest in technology-driven businesses in Africa and other emerging markets, particularly in areas like MSME enablement, healthcare, and financial access. My vision is to back ventures that not only deliver strong returns but also create lasting social impact.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
One thing I would absolutely do again is take the time to deeply reflect on my career story and long-term vision before starting the application. Writing my essays wasn’t just about answering prompts as it forced me to connect the dots between consulting, tech, healthcare, and my entrepreneurial experiences, and to clearly articulate why an MBA, and why now. That clarity made my applications stronger, but more importantly, it gave me confidence and authenticity during interviews. I’d encourage every applicant to invest in that self-reflection early as it pays off throughout the process and even provides clarity on what you want. The application is truly a transformational experience on itself.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
One thing I would do differently is start engaging with the school community earlier. I focused heavily on perfecting my essays and test prep, but only later did I realize how valuable it is to connect with students and alumni early in the process. Those conversations not only gave me richer insights into the culture but also helped me refine how I positioned my fit with the program. If I were to do it again, I’d begin networking sooner—it would have made the journey less stressful and even more rewarding. And if you can visit the campus beforehand, I would recommend, I was unable to due to the distance & associated costs.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
If I could have skipped one part of the application, it would be the standardized test preparation. Balancing work and study was draining, and at times it felt disconnected from the real strengths I wanted to showcase. What helped me get through it was staying disciplined with a study plan and reminding myself that the test was just one step in a bigger journey. Keeping my long-term goals in mind—and leaning on peers who were going through the same process—made it manageable and worth it in the end.
What is your initial impression of the IESE students/culture/community?
My initial impression of IESE students and the community is how genuinely collaborative and values-driven it is. Every conversation I’ve had with students and alumni has been open, supportive, and grounded in a sense of purpose beyond just career advancement. The diversity of backgrounds is striking, but what stands out even more is the shared willingness to help each other succeed—whether it’s through case prep, sharing experiences, or offering mentorship. It feels like a tight-knit, international community where competition takes a back seat to collective growth, and that’s exactly the kind of environment I was looking for.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I’m excited to join the Finance Track, because it will help me build the technical foundation—valuation, modeling, deal structuring—that I need to complement my strategy background and prepare for a post-MBA career in private equity. I’m also very interested in the Data & AI Initiative, since I want to explore how technologies like Agentic AI can be commercialized and applied to unlock real financial value across industries. Finally, I plan to join the Startup and Entrepreneurship Club, because in the long term I want to launch a business serving the MSME economy, and this will be a great space to test ideas, connect with founders, and learn from peers.
What is one thing you have learned about IESE that has surprised you?
One thing that surprised me about IESE is that there’s no free coffee—you quickly learn to fuel yourself otherwise. But on a more meaningful note, I’ve been struck by how genuinely supportive the entire community is. Whether it’s second years sharing case prep tips, professors making time outside class, or alumni opening their networks, everyone is incredibly willing to help if you just ask. That spirit of generosity and collaboration has been a pleasant surprise, and it makes the whole ecosystem feel truly special.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
What excites me most about my first year at IESE is the opportunity to explore different career paths, learn from the incredible diversity of people around me, and absorb as much as I can from my peers, professors, and alumni. Beyond academics and networking, I’m also looking forward to enjoying life in Barcelona—the culture, energy, and city itself add a unique dimension to the MBA experience that I can’t wait to immerse myself in.
