Yuna Ogano, IESE MBA Class of 2027
Age: 26
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Economics. Keio University
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Strategy Consultant at Accenture Japan, 4years in Strategy Consulting
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I see MBA as a stepstone for my transition from “advising” to “decision making.”
I started off my career as a consultant, helping companies develop strategies from the outside. While this has given me a strong foundation in structured, critical thinking, I’m ready to make actual impact. The program’s immersive learning environment is the perfect opportunity for me to develop the leadership skills and business acumen necessary to make an deep lasting impact.
Why did you choose IESE? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose IESE for its truly global community, the Case Method, and its beautiful location. In IESE, first years will go through tremendous case studies in the same group of 8-9 members with different background. By bringing in each person’s capability and experience, we encounter a lot of different perspectives and learn how to manage this to move forward. Also, Barcelona, the city with beautiful architecture, landscape, food and music allows me to survive this super intense learning and keep me motivated.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
As a person with a background in strategy consulting, I bring a structured and critical thinking that helps our team to dig deeper and learn the most from the cases. Beyond my professional skills, as someone from Japan, I’m often attuned to when my classmates might be hesitant to speak up or share their perspective, especially those from different cultural or linguistic backgrounds. I believe my unique contribution is my ability to bridge communication gaps and create a safe and inclusive space where every voice is heard.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
That I love dancing to Latino music. Definitely one of the things I was most excited about this MBA!
Post-MBA career interests:
Short term, I plan to go back to consulting, focusing on developing projects that supports Japanese companies’ overseas expansion. Aside from projects I would also love to develop structure and frameworks that foster cross-regional collaborations. Long term, I aspire to become a business leader transforming Japan’s education sector, tackling the critical issue of the opportunity gap.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
1. Talk to as many alumni and students as possible: Their stories really helped me bring authenticity into my essays and interviews.
2. Visit campus: I would highly recommend to visit at some point, it gives you much more vivid vision of yourself on campus, which is a powerful motivator during the long and challenging application process.
3. To take a substantial amount of time off : Working full-time while preparing for the GMAT and structuring essays was incredibly difficult. Taking a short break from work to focus solely on my preparation was one of the most effective and worthwhile decisions I made.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
BOOK GMAT FIRST, THEN PREP: I originally thought I would wait until I felt fully prepared, but that led to procrastination and a mad rush to study at the end. I’ve realized that by booking the test for a fixed date, say two months out, you create a powerful sense of urgency that kick-starts your preparation. In the end, this approach would have likely reduced my stress and anxiety while making my study time far more efficient.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Passively gathering information: Attending information sessions and MBA fairs is a great starting point, but reaching out to alumni is much more valuable to get much richer perspective on the school’s community and the realities of the MBA experience.
What is your initial impression of the IESE students/culture/community?
The community at IESE is truly special. Everyone I’ve met is incredibly curious, humble, and smart. I love that the culture is built on a foundation of trust that makes it a safe space to challenge and be challenged. It fosters an environment where we can openly debate ideas without fear of judgment.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I will join the PEVC Club, Tech Club, and Responsible Business Club. My goal is to use these organizations as a way to meet fascinating entrepreneurs and business leaders. I’m excited to learn from their real and primary stories, as I believe those insights will be crucial for my long-term goal.
What is one thing you have learned about IESE that has surprised you?
To be honest, I completely underestimated the power of the Case Method. I was surprised by how real and complicated a single case can be. With the same information, our classmates can draw out so many different stories and solutions. It’s a very well-structured and engaging learning process, and it truly makes every class enjoyable.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Aside from the daily classes, I’m incredibly excited about the career treks where we visit leading companies in different cities. I’m looking forward to gaining firsthand insight into different industries and business models, and learning directly from global leaders.
