life – Page 2 – Invisible but Essential

Summer Kim

Full-Time MBA Class of 2026

Professional Roles and Achievements

Professional History

Global Operations Manager, BA Catering

Academics

-MBA Batch of 2026

-Bachelor of Business Administration, Sookmyung Women’s University

What is invisible but essential about YOU? or ESADE? or Barcelona?

The one thing that is invisible but essential in me is my family.

I am the fruit of my parents’ values, and the bloom of their selfless love. Ever since I was young, my parents were the type who stood from a step away, close enough to protect and guide me, but far enough to let me grow on my own. Their values of respect and freedom taught me a strong moral compass and perspective on what life has to offer. I guess that’s what makes the person I am now.

It goes back to when I was 6 years old, when we moved to Bangkok, Thailand. I still remember so vividly, it feels like it was the fairytale chapter of my life, and every memory is nothing but joy and laughter. Adjusting to a new environment, not knowing the language, was not the easiest for a 6-year-old. I didn’t even know ‘hello’ in English, let alone in Thai! But despite the challenges, my parents were there at every corner to support me, never controlling or demanding, even with academics. They gave me the freedom to explore, learn, and grow on my own terms.

The world seemed to be my playground where I was free to follow my heart. I played all sorts of sports – from tennis and basketball to ballet. I was also very much into art, passionate enough to take summer courses at universities, spend hours crafting my own pieces, and sell them at fun fairs. My parents always encouraged me and supported me in any way they could. This particular time in my childhood when I had no limits to take on challenges and explore the variables within my world, is what allows me to take chances and fear no challenges today.

So, I decided to face the biggest challenge I could face. Choosing Esade, moving halfway across the globe. Wasn’t it one for all of us? Leaving certain things behind – either professional or personal – we all took the chances and bet all-in for this journey. At least I did. But I wasn’t afraid, because I knew my family would be with me, by my side through thick and thin, even beyond the ‘happily ever after’. When I decided to pursue an MBA, my brother was the greatest mentor that I had. He did his MBA years ago, (because he is old) and was far into his career (again, he is old) with the experience and learnings he brought back from it. So he was the mentor, the supporter, the critic, the rationale, the logic that led me toward making a decision for myself.

As this journey embarks to an end and turns the chapter of challenge to the next, I can proudly say I’ve grown stronger with the waves I faced, and storms that I overcame throughout. It was possible because with every wave and every storm, my family was just one phone call away and always close to my heart. I couldn’t have done what I have and wouldn’t be the person I am if it weren’t for my family and their support.

I dedicate this to my family, with all my love and gratitude.

Sohei Horiguchi

Full-Time MBA Class of 2026

Professional Roles and Achievements

Achievements

President & Founder, Europe MBA Sports Business Community
VP of Strategy, ESADE Sports Business Club

Academics

-MBA Batch of 2026

-Bachelor of Commerce, Keio University 2020

What is invisible but essential about YOU? or ESADE? or Barcelona?

People often meet me and see a friendly, energetic professional passionate about the sports industry. My CV shows leadership roles at IMG, Fighters Sports & Entertainment, World Football Summit, and at ESADE. But what truly defines me lies deeper — in a lifelong journey with football and a defining moment at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

I have played football at a high level since childhood and competed against some of Japan’s top talents, including Kaoru Mitoma. Watching former teammates and rivals shine on the world stage during the Qatar World Cup moved me profoundly. It made me realise that while I might not represent Japan on the pitch, I could still help shape the future of Japanese football off it.

That moment changed my trajectory. I decided to pivot my career, move to Barcelona, and join ESADE to gain the international business skills and network necessary to contribute to the Japanese national team’s success. My dream is bold but clear: to help host the 2046 World Cup in Japan and play a key role in Japan winning the tournament.

To prepare for this future, I have sought hands-on experience in Europe’s football industry, securing internships and strategic roles at IMG and Fighters Sports & Entertainment and World Football Summit while also founding the Europe MBA Sports Business Community. This initiative connects students across top European MBA programs who share a commitment to transforming the sports business.

What is invisible but essential about me is this long-term dedication and sense of purpose. Beyond job titles and achievements, I am motivated by building bridges between Japan and the global football world, creating opportunities for others, and contributing to a collective vision much larger than myself. This belief drives me every day at ESADE, in Barcelona, and in my future career.

Holly Williams

Full-Time MBA Class of 2026

Professional Roles and Achievements

Achievements

VP of Events, Women in Business & Allies club

Academics

-MBA Batch of 2026

-Bachelor of Science, University of Bath 2018

What is invisible but essential about YOU? or ESADE? or Barcelona?

I think when people meet me, they think I’m friendly, full of energy, and that I have a lot to say about international politics and development. But there are a few things you won’t find on my CV that I think have shaped a bit of who I am today.

At 18, I fractured my spine. I went from being an athlete with a packed training schedule to being told I might never be able to do proper exercise again. It was, in many ways, a life-changing injury—not just physically, but because it forced me to reimagine what achievement could look like when my usual markers of success were no longer on the table.

That period taught me a lot about patience and about the importance of finding some joy in the little things in life. It also made me really value the friendships I’d built along the way – and made me realise how much of my happiness came from being part of something bigger that challenged me.

A few years later, together with a group of friends, I helped set up North v South, a charity initiative in the UK that brings people together through sport. It started small: just one football match. Over time, the events grew—adding running challenges, long-distance relays, and most recently, a music festival —and so did the number of people involved. In the last five years, hundreds of people have taken part and we’ve raised several thousands of pounds for cancer and mental health charities.

The numbers are something I’m proud of, but what matters most to me is the atmosphere the initiative has created. Through North v South, and through the other projects I’ve been part of since, I’ve learned how much you can achieve when people are motivated not by status or recognition, but by a shared sense of purpose and fun.