writing – Invisible but Essential

Imuetinyan Adun

Full-Time MBA Class of 2026

Professional Roles and Achievements

Achievements

President of the Blacks in Business and allies clubs

Academics

-MBA Batch of 2026

-Bachelor of laws (LLB), Afe Babalola University, 2019

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

I remember sitting down after my father’s funeral in March 2019, wondering what would become of me without him and how I’d navigate the rest of my life. I can almost remember the moment clearly. Fast forward to exactly 5 years later in March 2024, graduated from uni, passed law school and staring at my admission letter from Esade, dare I say it was a full circle moment. It took me a while to learn that grief does not erase possibility, and growth can bloom in unexpected soil.

Beyond KPI’s and degrees, there is so much that is invisible but essential about me, Resilience. Not in the flamboyant way that people make it to be, but in the quiet promise I made to myself to keep on going till I get what I want out of life.

In 2010, when I was 12 and in high school, I was kidnapped for a week. I found myself in the back of a car I didn’t recognise, with people I never knew. I knew I couldn’t control what was happening, but I could control my reaction to the situation and my will to survive. I escaped eventually. To me, it was about taking just the next step, even though my legs were shaking, even when the path ahead seemed very unclear. I walked away from the experience not just relieved but changed.

And fast forward to 2025, one year down in my second year of the MBA at Esade, living in Barcelona, the longest stretch I have ever been away from home. Every class, project, and interaction has pushed me further than I thought possible, made me question why I made such a big leap, but I am starting to see the bigger picture, as opaque as it may seem right now.

Resilience has been the invisible thread that has carried me all through, and I am hoping it will carry me forward, whatever comes next. I have absolutely no regrets.

Anton Tugushev

Full-Time MBA Class of 2026

Professional Roles and Achievements

Professional History

Ex Consultant at the World Bank Group

Academics

-MBA Batch of 2026

-PhD in Law, City University of Hong Kong

-Specialist in law, Russian Customs Academy

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

For some period in my life (especially when I was living in Hong Kong) my hobby was open water swimming, basically when you swim longer distances in the sea or lake. This kind of sport has been gaining popularity in Asia and also in Russia, so I had a chance to participate even in some competitions and fun races. For example, I swam across Bosphorus strait in Istanbul in 2021, which is an exciting swim of 6,4 k from Asian part of Turkey to European one.

For me open water swimming turned out to be not only a way of staying in shape and having fun. It is a lot about changing mindset and psychological learning. To be able to enjoy this kind of sport and complete the races, it is not only about your body strength and technique but a lot about your mental readiness too. You need to be strategic, because distributing your energy through the race correctly is crucial to finish the race. You need to be determined and acceptable of tough times ahead of you. You have to be able to get rid of all the noise in your head and focus on the key task – to reach the finish.

I also think that MBA journey looks very similar to an open water race. You has been preparing for it a lot, thinking about it a lot and many times you imaged what finish will look like. At the same time, You do not really know how it will actually go in the future, and if everything will be okay. You are nervous but excited at the same time. Same as MBA, you explore completely new waters, somewhere you never swam before. Also, I can tell you that it a bit scary and uncomfortable to swim a long distance far from a shore when you are alone. But when there are other swimmers nearby, it is not scary anymore as you know they will help you. And you can learn from them how to navigate the route better. This kind of beneficial co-dependence is what you can experience in MBA too.

I like to think about this analogy of MBA and open water swimming. It helps me sometimes to accept uncertainty which we have a lot in our career path. Maybe for you it can be a different kind of sport? Boxing, marathon race or a football match? It doe sot matter as long as you are mobbing forward and enjoying the journey.

Agosh Baranwal

Full-Time MBA Class of 2026

Professional Roles and Achievements

Achievements

VP, Communications Club
Finalist, HP Innovation Bootcamp
Lead, Invisible But Essential

Academics

-ESADE MBA Batch of 2026

-B.Tech, Petroleum Engineering – Indian Institute of Technology, Dhanbad

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

There’s a National-level engineering exam held every year in India called the IIT-JEE. More than 1.5 million students apply to it, and less than 0.5% get in. I always envisioned my life to be a straight line, and this exam was the first step. But with long study hours, I saw myself taking an interesting direction. I started making simple meals for myself, and a year later, I was already experimenting with different recipes. On a whim, I sent one of my own recipes to a contest; it got featured in UpperCrust, an Indian food magazine. It wasn’t a big deal for me at that moment because getting into IIT took the spotlight. But what started as a self-sustenance experiment is now a full-blown hobby.

Now, on paper, being in an IIT, my path looked certain. Unfortunately, engineering didn’t feel like home. I secured the License for the first TEDx event in the city of Dhanbad. This notoriously infamous city is not easy to reach, doesn’t have an airport and is not known for events like that. But this was a phase where I wanted to explore my depths and take on challenges that I enjoyed facing. Eventually, I was able to secure a Bollywood actress, a famous director and writer, the owner of one of the most popular social media channels in India and so on in the speaker lineup. My exploration didn’t stop there; I bootstrapped a laundry service startup, a profitable one and one of its kind in India back then. Things started making sense now. I had a vision and a goal to work towards. But by the time my undergraduate degree ended, the founders parted ways as well. After this, the road wasn’t a straight path anymore, but worse, it was blurry for the first time in my life.

There’s a line from this kids’ book – The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse that I carry with me: “One of our greatest freedoms is how we react to things.” After some amazing work experiences in Sweden and India, I came to ESADE. And what a city Barcelona is to live life to its fullest. Friends trusted me with their family dishes, and I shared mine. I realised how food makes community simple: you bring something, others bring something, and the table is stronger for it.

I had been asking myself, “What is success?”. And I found it only recently by rediscovering myself and my goals. As much as I tried in my younger years, life never presented itself in a straight line. I won’t claim resilience removes pain or guarantees results. It doesn’t. What it gives is a guarantee to stand up again. It helps you choose your response when the outcome is unclear.

So what is invisible but essential in my life? The practice of beginning again, patiently, honestly, and without rush.

Pamela Castro

Full-Time MBA Class of 2026

Professional Roles and Achievements

Achievements

Director of Mentorship – Women in Business & Allies Club
Recipient of Women Leaders Scholarship

Academics

-MBA Batch of 2026

-Bachelor of Business Administration and Management, Universidad del Pacífico

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

I am the oldest daughter of three siblings, and I believe that has shaped who I am today. People usually see me as approachable, kind, and enthusiastic. But what is often invisible — yet essential — is the other side of me: I am direct, driven, and deeply committed when it comes to achieving my goals. Even though I am very structured and organised, I actively seek challenges that push me out of my comfort zone.

Since I was little, my parents encouraged me to pursue my dreams and fight for them, and that mantra continues to guide me. I have succeeded in a male-dominated industry, proving my capabilities and adaptability in environments where I had to work harder to be heard. I also moved across continents for a university exchange in a city where I knew no one, and I managed a long-distance relationship with my soon-to-be husband throughout my MBA journey. These experiences, while invisible from the outside, have been essential in building my resilience and confidence.
At ESADE, I discovered that what is invisible but essential is the culture of collaboration. It is easy to connect with people here because of our shared values. Even though everyone is ambitious and focused on their own goals, there is a genuine spirit of caring for one another. That invisible sense of teamwork is what makes ESADE special.

I also had the opportunity to channel my own values into something concrete: the mentorship program for the Women in Business Club. Starting from scratch, I committed myself to building a project that would empower others, and in the end, I helped create over 40 successful mentor–mentee matches. That experience reminded me that invisible qualities like perseverance, empathy, and a drive to build community can create lasting impact.

Living this year away from my family, my partner, and my friends has taught me the importance of staying focused on what I want to achieve. Even though it was a challenging year, it has been an incredible journey where I have grown not only professionally but also personally. Along the way, I have encountered inspiring people who have made this experience truly unforgettable.

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.