Meet the GBS Class of 2026

We are thrilled to welcome 77 students to the Master’s Degree in Global Business and Society (GBS) Class of 2026 at Yale SOM. This year’s students come from a rich variety of academic, professional, and cultural backgrounds, with one unifying goal: to develop the skills and perspective necessary to thrive in a globally interconnected business environment.

The incoming class represents a truly international group of early-career professionals. Students have studied in over 15 countries, including Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Portugal, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. They have pursued a master in management, or an equivalent degree, at one of eight top global institutions, and all bring a strong international perspective to their time at Yale.

The GBS Class of 2026 has an average age of 24, and nearly half the cohort—48%—identify as women. Eighty-one percent of students are obtaining or have obtained their master’s degree in a country other than their home country, further underscoring the global mindset and mobility of this cohort. Students hold citizenships from across the globe, with 97% being international passport holders. They’re also multilingual: all students speak at least two languages, and a majority speak three or more, including Arabic, Czech, French, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, German, Greek, Polish, and Romanian.

The students have had diverse academic journeys. They had a wide range of undergraduate majors, including economics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, philosophy, political science, law, business administration, and sports management. Some focused on digital culture and technology, while others explored international relations, finance, and innovation.

Professionally, the class brings work experience from over a dozen countries and a wide array of industries. Students have worked at some of the world’s top organizations, including Accenture, Deloitte, EY, BCG, LVMH, Barclays, Lenovo, PwC, Rothschild & Co, Mercedes-Benz, KPMG, and L’Oréal. Several have founded startups or led impactful initiatives: founding clubs, leading educational programs for teens, and even volunteering as interpreters at UNESCO conferences.

The Class of 2026 includes a paramedic, a student diplomat, a certified bartender, and a coach for judo referees. One student built a deep learning model for Google’s sign language app, while another performed guitar at London’s Cadogan Hall for over 1,000 people.

The GBS Class of 2026 has already demonstrated an impressive commitment to leadership and student life. At their previous educational institutions, members of the class have served as student ambassadors and held leadership positions in groups focused on AI, women in business, investment, real estate, debate, and social impact, among others. One student led a four-week humanitarian trip for more than 30 classmates to Vietnam. Another organized the first TEDx event in a French high school. Their leadership isn’t limited to business; they have also contributed to their university communities as actors, musicians, and podcast hosts.

The class is full of creators, athletes, and adventurers. Many students enjoy cooking and baking; one student is passionate about foraging forest mushrooms for recipes. Others are visual artists, photographers, fashion enthusiasts, and writers. Some students play musical instruments, and others are avid dancers.

The group is also very active. Students enjoy basketball, tennis, soccer, rugby, skiing, snowboarding, sailing, scuba diving, weightlifting, and more. One student is a triathlete, another is a Parisian tennis champion, and another is a certified ski instructor and coach.

This is a class of global citizens, driven innovators, and passionate community leaders. We are honored to have them join our Yale SOM community.

Welcome to the GBS Class of 2026!