Gina Seung Eun Jung
INSEAD
Age: 39
“Resilient individual passionate about healthcare, angel investor and cherishes relationships as a daughter and friend.”
Hometown: Seoul, Republic of Korea
Family Members: Parents (Jung Ki Sang, Koo Hye Won), my brother’s family and 3 cats.
Fun fact about yourself: My background is predominantly in the arts, as I studied music until middle school, mastering the Daegum, a traditional Korean bamboo flute. In university, I pursued degrees in English literature and psychology. Despite not having a healthcare background, I’ve successfully blended my unique experiences to create harmony within the industry.
Undergraduate School and Degree:
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, Minor in Psychology, Sungshin Women’s University
Where are you currently working? Regional Commercial Director for Immunology at Janssen pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles:
- Healthcare Startup Consultant & Angel investor: I provide advice and assistance to healthcare startups and foster connections between organizations and individuals in the industry, while also making strategic investments in promising ventures.
- Mentor: I offer mentorship to individuals in the healthcare industry, with a particular focus on supporting women in healthcare and INSEAD alumni, fueling my passion for empowering their growth and success.
- Scholarships: Recipient of the Johnson & Johnson Education Sponsorship and the INSEAD GEMBA Scholarship for Women.
- Honors: Recognized as an INSEAD Startup Bootcamp Winner and currently a semi-finalist in the INSEAD Venture Competition (on going).
- Volunteer: Actively involved in an overseas donation program for underprivileged children’s education in Mongolia since 2007 and dedicated five years as a volunteer reader at the Korea Braille Library, providing support to the visually impaired community.
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I can’t help but share my entrepreneurship experience at INSEAD, particularly my experience in the startup bootcamp and progressing to the semi-finals of the INSEAD Venture Competition (IVC). This accomplishment holds great significance for me.
I’ve always harbored aspirations of becoming an entrepreneur, but fear and uncertainty held me back, leaving me unsure of where to start. However, INSEAD provided a supportive environment with numerous safety nets. The Entrepreneurship courses, workshops, venture competition, and access to mentors and alumni all contributed to creating an ecosystem where individuals are eager to assist and see others succeed.
Within this unique setting, I was able to develop a pitch deck for my business idea. Regardless of the eventual success or failure of the venture, I learned invaluable lessons about entrepreneurship that can be applied in both personal and professional contexts.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? When I was working in Vietnam, I took great pride in winning the Emerging Market President Award for Marketing. As one of the pioneers in my previous company, I prioritized placing patients at the core of the customer journey for vaccines and developed innovative marketing strategies and tactics. I was also among the first to introduce digital education for patients and healthcare consumers in vaccine marketing. This achievement, which distinguished itself among over 80 emerging markets worldwide, had a positive impact on Vietnamese patients, healthcare professionals, and the government by advancing public health outcomes.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite professor at INSEAD was Oh Seung Youn, who taught International Politics and Analytics. She was an exceptional educator who encouraged in-depth discussions. She also had a comprehensive understanding of global politics and markets, stemming from her unique background. While many business cases and examples tend to focus on the US and Europe, she provided relevant examples from around the world, which resonated with those of us studying at INSEAD’s Asia campus. This approach truly embodies INSEAD’s title as “The business school for the world.”
In addition to Professor Oh, I’d like to express my gratitude to our outstanding mentors and founders of the INSEAD Startup Bootcamp, who are entrepreneurs themselves: Ben Ling, Cliff Go, and Joachim Vandaele. They expertly organized a bootcamp that transformed ideas into business pitches in just 48 hours. These challenging and fascinating 48 hours were a turning point in my life and have significantly influenced my future career path.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? I chose INSEAD’s Executive MBA program for several key reasons that align with my priorities and preferences. First, INSEAD is renowned for its emphasis on international business, cultural diversity, and ‘Business as a force for good’. These values played crucial roles in my decision-making process.
Furthermore, during my comparisons of different business schools, I had the opportunity to engage in coffee chats with alumni from various institutions. Through these conversations, I discovered that INSEAD’s alumni network is one of the strongest in terms of responsiveness, eagerness to help, and impressive global presence.
In terms of coursework, INSEAD offers a diverse range of class locations, spanning from the US, Europe, and the Middle East to Asia, depending on the subject matter. Additionally, the program boasts a truly international cohort, with classmates from almost every continent.
Ultimately, the features of INSEAD’s Executive MBA program aligned perfectly with my priorities and preferences. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the program thus far and it has been an excellent fit for my personal and professional aspirations.
What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? For me, the most valuable lesson from my MBA experience was my leadership development journey. INSEAD’s unique approach to leadership development involves assigning each student a Leadership Development Program (LDP) team made up of peers that stays consistent throughout the entire EMBA program. This team offers guidance, support, and candid feedback, allowing you to better understand yourself and find your unique leadership style.
As a result of this experience, I gained more confidence at work and found better opportunities to showcase my leadership skills. I owe much of this to my incredible LDP mates: Manu, Gareth, and Adriel and our coach, Anat. Thanks to them, I was able to learn more about myself and apply this knowledge to my work, improving my overall performance and effectiveness.
Overall, the INSEAD MBA experience taught me that effective leadership is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Everyone has their unique strengths and weaknesses, and it’s essential to recognize and develop these characteristics to become a successful leader.
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? During my time as an Executive MBA student, I faced numerous challenges that required me to balance work, family, and education. In my personal life, I experienced the loss of my family. Simultaneously, I transitioned to a new role with increased responsibilities at my company. On top of that, I had to manage school assignments, participate in a venture competition, and initiate my first angel investment. It was a truly remarkable experience, and I never thought I could accomplish all these things before joining the INSEAD program.
The key to successfully juggling these demands was my support network. I regularly communicated with my family, friends, colleagues, and the career coaches provided by INSEAD. Seeking help and staying connected with others is vital during an EMBA program. I am deeply grateful to all those who supported me during these challenging times, and their assistance played an invaluable role in helping me navigate through it all.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? When considering an Executive MBA program, the crucial first step is to identify your goals and expectations for the program. These may include career advancement or transition, networking opportunities, entrepreneurial pursuits, or geographic focus. Once you’ve established your priorities, research suitable schools and don’t hesitate to contact their admissions offices or alumni for assistance.
Additionally, as previously mentioned, having a strong support network is essential. Ensure that you have the backing of family, friends, and colleagues throughout your EMBA journey.
Financial support is another important aspect to consider. Actively seek out scholarships offered by the school and explore sponsorship opportunities from your employer. By addressing these factors, you can set yourself up for success in an Executive MBA program.
What is the biggest myth about going back to school? One of the biggest myths about going back to school, particularly for an Executive MBA (EMBA), is that the primary benefit is networking, and therefore, it might not be worth the investment. While networking is indeed a crucial aspect of an EMBA program, there are several other valuable elements to consider.
First, the breadth and depth of knowledge you gain in an EMBA program can be truly surprising, covering a wide range of business topics and providing valuable insights. Second, the program offers access to cutting-edge knowledge and best practices in the rapidly evolving business landscape. Third, learning from your accomplished classmates, who are experts in their respective fields, is another significant advantage of an EMBA program.
Lastly, pursuing an EMBA offers a unique opportunity to develop and hone your leadership skills throughout the journey. Overall, an EMBA program delivers much more than networking opportunities, providing a comprehensive educational experience.
What was your biggest regret in business school? It isn’t necessarily a regret, but rather a desire. I was unable to enroll in all the electives that intrigued me, simply because there were so many fascinating subjects offered. In the future, I would love to return to the school to participate in additional electives and key management challenge programs, which are available to alumni in the coming years.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I have immense admiration for all my classmates who are parents, particularly the mothers. Balancing work, family, and personal life is undoubtedly challenging. Among them, I hold Reena Agrawal, who is one of our class reps and Paridhi Tandon in special esteem. Despite having children who require their attention and support, they have demonstrated exceptional capabilities in managing their families while maintaining a calm and composed presence throughout their academic journey.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? Given the frustrations of online learning during the pandemic, I opted for the GEMBA 2022 program initially. However, I deferred the program twice to fully embrace the experience of an executive MBA with its offline learning opportunities. Looking back, I believe it was the right decision for me.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? I find great fulfillment in working within the healthcare industry as it enables me to make a significant impact by introducing new therapies and medicines to patients. Although I haven’t precisely defined the specifics of my future endeavors, one thing is certain: I have a strong aspiration to remain in the healthcare industry and continue making meaningful contributions. This encompasses supporting healthcare startups, fostering connections, providing guidance to younger generations, and actively participating in the industry. It represents a broader goal that I have set for myself.
What made Gina such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2023?
“Gina was born and finished her bachelor’s degree in South Korea. After a few job stints at home, she started an international career that took her to the US, Vietnam and currently Singapore. She currently leads the regional marketing team at Sanofi Pasteur, and impressed the Admissions Committee members with her business case presentation for the INSEAD Assessment. She has an outstanding capacity to ask the right questions and anticipate the questions asked to her. They all agreed that her curiosity and exposure to global and diverse cultures would definitely be a boon for class discussions and the INSEAD community.”
Teresa Peiro-Camaro
Associate Director Global Admissions, Degree Programmes at INSEAD
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