Interview with Müge Cöteli

Name: Müge Cöteli
Nationality: Swiss / Turkish
Cohorte: International EMBA 7

Tell us more about your background. What were you doing prior to embarking on the International EMBA HSG?

I joined Swiss Re’s talent pool in the summer of 2015 and dove right into the world of Fintech and business model innovation. My initial mandate was to contribute to the creation of next generation contracting at Swiss Re. I later explored ways to create impactful digital solutions in the microinsurance, health insurance and cyber insurance space. All initiatives aimed at facilitating the access to insurance products and making them more transparent, thereby enabling them to benefit every stakeholder in the insurance value chain. Finally, I worked on the unification of all sales activities of property and casualty digital solutions in EMEA, which gave me the opportunity to understand the way in which digital innovation in insurance impacts the nature of exchanges in the industry and with policyholders.

You started your international EMBA HSG journey in August 2019, which course week have you enjoyed the most so far?

Amongst the many stimulating courses that we have had so far, the most impactful one was “Doing Business in Africa”. The thought-provoking content combined with deep insights and wide-ranging field experiences gave the course a unique character that truly inspired me. I was particularly impressed by the many encounters with entrepreneurs in Cape Town, young and old, women and men, who had courageously overcome every social limitation to focus on fulfilling their ambitions and potential.

How has the EMBA HSG programme changed you personally so far?

The past 12 months were filled with learning and development opportunities and accurately reflected HSG’s promise to teach the participants how to build the bridge “From Insight to Impact”. As International EMBA HSG participants, we are constantly encouraged to look beyond the borders of a career in the traditional sense. In addition, I feel a strong support and encouragement to reach my potential. As a consequence, my time with the International EMBA HSG programme grounded me, all the while each additional course is giving me stronger wings to achieve my personal and professional aspirations.

What advice would you give potential participants who are looking to do an International EMBA HSG?

The International EMBA HSG programme offers a wonderful opportunity to look at one’s life and career differently. The programme should be understood and experienced as a steppingstone to the next stage of development in the larger sense. In a world where many strive for customized standardization, we often forget to listen to our inner voice, we don’t dare to take action to sustainably shape our own tomorrow. I would advise future participants to come with an open mind and an open heart, ready to rethink their ambitions – and ultimately ready to redesign their lives.