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Master of Business Administration - 2024/25 cohort

Aiko Nishi

Aiko Nishi

I am from Tokyo, Japan. My career path, which started in business process consulting, has naturally evolved into conceptualizing business strategies that showcase corporate values within a broader societal framework, along with gaining valuable experience as a Brand Consultant and Creative Director. This shift in focus has brought me to my current position, where I blend strategic thinking with creative insights. I view pursuing this course as a pivotal step forward in my professional development, and through this MBA experience, I aspire to realize my vision for my own business.

Daria Dikovskaya

Daria Dikovskaya

I am a neuroscientist with a background in mental health research and innovation, passionate about making a positive social and environmental impact through the wellness and healthcare industries. Previously, I focused on research and increasing accessibility to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for mental health disorders, the central topic of my Master's in Translational Neuroscience. I am currently the Head of Marketing and Strategy at the London-based wellness start-up Taiga Life, which I co-founded in 2023.


Joy Kim

Joy Kim

I am the founder of a women’s clothing brand that I have been running for 8 years in Korea. I aim not only to grow the business but also to sow seeds that enrich my customers' lives and foster shared values for the common good. Although I had a stable job, my curiosity about my own market value inspired me to start my entrepreneurial journey. I create collections with a commercial focus, offering artistic clothing that fits into everyday life. I hope our pieces not only enhance our customers' wardrobes but also enrich their daily experiences.

Aiste Povilaikaite

Aiste Povilaikaite

Originally from Lithuania, I have been living in Berlin for over 13 years. I hold a Business Degree and studied Design Thinking at the D.School in Potsdam, which sparked my passion for human-centric product development. After spending around 5 years in marketing, I transitioned into product management, where I now have over 6 years of experience. I started my product career at H&M New Business and currently work as a Senior Product Manager at Vinted, where I contribute to making second-hand fashion the first choice globally.  I also mentor students at the Technical University of Berlin, helping guide them through their entrepreneurial projects. I’m passionate about innovation, design thinking, and inclusive product management, always aiming to create user-focused products that drive meaningful change.

Magnus Groth

Magnus Groth

As a product designer with a diverse background in graphic and industrial design, coupled with my background as an art director in FMCG advertising, I currently lead design at Lakrids by Bülow in Copenhagen. Over the past eight years, I have had the privilege of transforming this brand from a beloved local favourite into a recognised international icon. This journey has not only deepened my understanding of brand recognition and market dynamics but has also ignited my passion for innovation. I am pursuing this MBA to further enhance my academic skills and champion sustainable, inclusive growth in design and expansion. With a commitment to creating impactful solutions, I aspire to resonate globally and inspire change through my work.

Nicole Yip

Nicole Yip

I was born and raised in Singapore, with a background in economics, though I eventually found my way into the art and auction world. My passion is deeply influenced by my family’s fine arts framing business and my experience navigating the challenges of Singapore's young creative industry through my roles in the auction sector. I am motivated to create innovative, resilient frameworks that support the sustainability of small creative enterprises. By pursuing this unique MBA at CSM, I aim to refine my managerial abilities, connect with the diverse community of students and faculty, and become a collaborative, community-focused leader in the creative field.

Dani Friedman

Dani Friedman

I am a brand management, marketing and strategy specialist with an education in consumer/marketing psychology, business, and French. I used to navigate the finance world as a business and market analyst of consumer products that honed my analytical skills and work ethic. After realising my passion in the creative side of strategy and branding, I transitioned into marketing, partnerships, events, and overall growth strategy at a fashion influencer partnered start up called Basic.Space and other additional opportunities. What sets me apart is my diverse background, being (embarrassingly) deeply tapped into pop culture alongside an ability to marry both my business skill sets with creative and marketing Strategy. After graduating from the University of Michigan in Organizations (Consumer Focused) Psychology with a double minor in French and Business, I was propelled into the world of M&A investment banking for consumer, products, retail with a focus on fashion and beauty. While the experience allowed me to hone in on perfecting my work ethic, technical skillsets, and build a foundation of market knowledge in CPR, it ultimately became evident finance was not for me; however, it was undeniable that the CPR industry was. From there, I took a leap into roles in the industry where strategy, business, marketing, and consumer behavior collide. My goal is to leverage my MBA to blend my expertise in business, fashion/CPR, and French to roles in brand strategy, brand management, brand development, brand consulting, partnerships and overall being able to consult the creative side of the industry surrounding growth opportunities (PR, marketing, events, partnerships and more).

Raymond Philip

Raymond Philip

I am Raymond Philip and I have navigated diverse industries since I was 18 years old. Over the past 6 years, I have gained valuable experience with renowned companies worldwide. I start with offering design services but quickly move up to engage in business development conversations where I lead these firms in making key scaling decisions. I thrive on discussing strategy and innovation. In my spare time, I am a passionate Gospel musician, currently working on my own EP that reflects my faith and artistic vision. Music is not just a hobby for me; it is a means of connecting with others and expressing my beliefs. I also dedicate significant time to philanthropy, partnering with organisations to provide education and food to underserved communities. I believe in the power of giving back and strive to make a positive impact on the lives of those less fortunate.

Shiyi Shao

Shiyi Shao

My name is Shiyi Shao. I hold an Undergraduate Degree in Industrial Design. Following that, I completed my Postgraduate Studies, which deepened my interest in brand communication, brand strategy, and creative management. After working as a UI and UX designer for a year and a half, I co-founded a company with friends that specialises in digital media content creation, including videos and other formats. Currently, I am particularly focused on the impact of marketing strategies in the digital age, especially in the context of the rise of female empowerment, fashion and luxury recycling, and the rapid development of fan economies. I think this is a very interesting consumption trend, so I hope to find ways to help my clients promote their brands, products, and services to their audiences more effectively and sustainably.

Sofia Camacho Hortal

Sofia Camacho Hortal

I am from Mexico. I recently completed my degree in Industrial Design at the University of Monterrey. Throughout my studies, I have gained experience working on various freelance design projects, ranging from branding to product development. One of my notable projects involved designing the packaging and branding for a mezcal brand. In addition, I have experience in interior and graphic design, which I have fused with my industrial design work. I am passionate about combining creativity with business, and my goal is to further develop my skills through this MBA program, with the intention of applying them in an entrepreneurial context in the future.

Antonia Ndegwa

Born in Nairobi and based in London, I am an interdisciplinary creative influenced and inspired by the experiences of my two worlds: East Africa and Western Europe. As a University of Nottingham graduate with a Joint Honours BA in Sociology and Social Policy, I am committed to leveraging design thinking in addressing complex challenges and driving meaningful change across a variety of sociocultural contexts. Through my creative platform " ANOTHA WORLD ;* !! ", I explore the intersection of fashion, culture and sustainable development.

Jiaqi Xue

Jiaqi Xue

I chose fashion design as my undergraduate major because it is one of the fastest-changing and competitive industries. I thought my world would be all about design but I was wrong.  While working as a designer at LUOLAI, my family's business, I was directly involved in the brand's major decisions and future strategic direction by connecting with industry leaders internationally, while tracking and assisting the incubation of a new sub-brand throughout the entire researching, branding, and developing process.  I found brand strategy more interesting, as market choices in products involve consumer demand and the survival and growth of a company are much more complex. Therefore, I decided to enrich myself through the systematic learning offered by the MBA course from CSM and Birbeck.

Alina Lis

Alina Lis

I am a Belarusian visual communicator and researcher with an entrepreneurial spirit and a professional background in art consulting, gallery operations, and independent curatorial work, holding special interests in digital humanities, fashion, beauty, and social media. Off the record, I am enthusiastic about creating systems that provide structure for organisation and information management, which motivated me to create an intelligent digital ecosystem to streamline the navigation of my personal, professional, and academic work while consistently monitoring my targets as well as my priorities. I have a strong interest in combining my academic expertise in artistic research and critical writing along with my strategy-oriented abilities, with the intention of utilising it for innovation and social good—beyond just the creative sectors. Having lived across Europe, New York City, Mexico City, and Japan, I enjoy environments that embrace intercultural dynamics and contribute to global collaborations. I currently live between London and Paris.

Nidhi Deshpande

Nidhi Deshpande

I am a Mumbai based interior and furniture designer.  I am looking to make the leap from freelancer to business owner.