The MBA Class of ‘91 not only celebrated decades of friendship but was also joined by local alumni to mark IMD’s first-ever in-person Giving Day. Now in its fourth year, the event supports the IMD Scholarship Foundation, which funds scholarships with a focus this year on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The room buzzed with conversation as MBA ‘91 class representative Rod Jackson welcomed everyone on board. When he announced that IMD had sponsored the dinner – allowing the ‘91 MBA class to donate 12,000 Australian dollars ($7,785) to the Giving Day campaign – the crowd erupted into applause. “For us, that’s a terrific outcome,” he said.
Jackson highlighted the class’s cultural diversity and enduring connection, noting that their bond feels as strong as ever despite the years apart. “I think it shows with our class – the diversity of culture we have, and yet we are so connected. When we get together, it’s like we were together yesterday.”
Luby Estrada, a Mexican-born alumna who lives in Canada, thinks her class of ‘91 was very diverse, and she enjoys coming along to the reunions. This year, she even brought her daughter along, for her to get to know the people her mother had studied with all those years ago and still keeps in touch with: “My class was exceptional and we were a team of different people from different backgrounds and countries, and that made me also understand what multiculturalism is all about.”
During the Class of ’91’s travels across Australia, one highlight was “going bush” in Queensland – an experience many fondly recalled during the evening. The group also witnessed a First Nations dance performance, adding a meaningful cultural dimension to their journey. Their trip even hit the headlines worldwide when a crocodile wandered into their resort pool in Port Douglas – proving that adventure in Australia can come in unexpected forms!
Anders Södergren came all the way from Sweden, and he has been to all reunions except one. “I couldn’t make it when it was in India due to work commitments, which was a real shame,” he says.
He explains that the class originally had 65 members from 32 different countries, though around 20 have drifted out of touch. About 40 still attend the reunions, and roughly half come regularly. The group will now meet every third year – previously every five, then four – as they’ve realized they’re not getting any younger and want to keep spending time together as often as they can. When asked what makes him want to come to these gatherings, he says: “Friendship and nostalgia.”
He compares the intensive year at IMD to military service – when you’re together 24/7 and working hard, it becomes true teamwork because going solo isn’t an option. Just as in the military, everyone depends on each other; at IMD, the group work and shared perspectives create deep bonds. After graduation, they all scattered along different paths, but it doesn’t matter. “When we meet – boom – we’re back to 1991,” he says with a smile. “It’s really lovely.”
In Australia, things are also happening on the alumni scene. The Alumni Association has recently launched new chapters around the country. For the evening’s celebration, Brisbane chapter leader Simon Fennessy and Melbourne’s counterpart, Shane Hills, were also on hand, together with chairman George Schroeder.
Simon Fennessy took his MBA in 2000 and was living in Switzerland at the time. He says that his Swedish wife Åsa also used to work at IMD, giving him a strong connection to the school. He adds that he loves the concept of Giving Day – supporting and giving back.
He describes his IMD experience as a pivotal point in his life, creating new opportunities. “Through education, it was quite empowering – both to learn and to build a wonderful network of not just insights from other professionals, but actually lifelong friends.”
Giving Day has also given us a chance to celebrate all the alumni who, in one form or another, give up their time to volunteer for different causes and clubs around the world. A huge round of applause for our fantastic alumni community.
