From the world of creative branding and luxury to a global leadership role in tech, Sarah Chen Lin’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of the ESSEC Global MBA. A multicultural marketing & communications professional, Sarah has lived and worked across Venezuela, England, France, and Taiwan. With a passion for leveraging sustainability, science, and technology to drive impact, Sarah shares how her MBA experience at ESSEC helped her navigate a pivotal career pivot. Discover the moments that defined her path, the skills she gained, and the advice she offers to future change-makers exploring the ESSEC GMBA.
From Luxury to Leadership: Sarah Chen Lin’s Transformative Global MBA Journey
7.5.2025
Can you introduce yourself in a few words?
I'm a marketing & communications professional with experience across Venezuela, England, France, and Taiwan. I'm passionate about leveraging the intersection of sustainability, science, and tech to drive meaningful impact across industries.
What was your background before you decided to look for an MBA?
Before pursuing my MBA, I spent two years at a creative branding agency in Taiwan, working with global tech brands. I then transitioned to an emerging luxury leather goods brand, where I played a key role in launching it in the UK. Along the way, I built teams, mentored peers, and collaborated with professionals across all departments. Reporting directly to the CEO in both roles gave me valuable insight into business operations and strategic decision-making - one of the key reasons I decided to pursue an MBA to explore the business side of things better.
What are the main skills that you acquired during the program?
Beyond deepening my knowledge in finance, global economics, and supply chain management, the most valuable skills I gained were leadership and collaboration. Working with international classmates on diverse projects came with challenges - differences in culture, industry backgrounds, and work styles - but it also reinforced the importance of clear communication and cultural awareness. Learning to navigate these dynamics was one of the most rewarding takeaways from the program.
What is your current job position and how did the GMBA help you reach it?
I recently joined MiTAC Computing Technology’s headquarters in Taiwan as Regional Marketing Manager for EMEA & APAC. Before this, I was at International Cosmetic Suppliers (ICONS|ICS), a global leader in sustainable packaging for beauty brands. My GMBA experience, especially my capstone project with L’Oréal, was pivotal in helping me break into the beauty industry by providing hands-on exposure. At ICONS|ICS, I honed my B2B marketing expertise, which ultimately prepared me to take on a regional role at a global powerhouse like MiTAC.
What is your best memory of the program?
Despite the challenges of COVID restrictions during the second half of the program, we had the opportunity to travel to Rome, where my classmates and I participated in a one-week Yoox Net-A-Porter competition. Collaborating with MBA students from other European schools, we tackled real business challenges and gained invaluable insights. We also visited Yoox Net-A-Porter’s warehouse in Bologna, where we got a behind-the-scenes look at their highly efficient operations. The multicultural environment, the historical Italian cities, the incredible food, and the spirit of collaboration all made this a truly one-of-a-kind learning experience.
Your experience at ESSEC in one word?
Personal
Your advice to future applicants?
Take the time to get clear on what you truly want from your life and career. Talk to people already working in your target industry or role, and engage in plenty of self-reflection. ESSEC values authenticity, and more importantly, it serves as a platform to propel you forward - so make the most of every opportunity!
Feeling inspired by Sarah’s story?
Explore how the ESSEC Global MBA can help you design a meaningful international career, build cross-cultural leadership skills, and make a real impact in your industry.
