Redefining What’s Possible: Aine Tahara on Career Growth, Leadership, and Life at the NUS MBA
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Aine Tahara
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Breaking the myth of “having it all”
“It’s impossible to do it all.” That’s what many people told Aine Tahara when she shared her plan: pursue an MBA abroad, immerse herself in the new environment, and raise her young son at the same time.
Seventeen months later, she proved them wrong. Looking back, she says it was the NUS MBA community that made the difference. “Balancing all of these commitments was by no means easy, but thanks to the tremendous support I received from those around me, I was able to embrace the busyness and truly enjoy the journey.”
For future students, her story is a reminder that you don’t have to give up one part of your life to pursue another. With the right network and mindset, the MBA can be where you learn to balance both.
Aine with female business leaders at an International Women’s Day event
From banking to business development
Before NUS, Aine built her career in corporate planning at SMBC, crafting mid-term management plans and driving their execution. It was rigorous work, but she yearned for a broader perspective on business.
“During the MBA, I studied a wide range of business areas beyond corporate planning, including marketing, operations, and accounting,” she explains. “This broad exposure reaffirmed that my true interests and strengths lie in corporate management and business development.”
That breadth of learning is something prospective students can also expect. For Aine, it boosted her confidence to pivot.
Today, at Mitsui & Co., she is thriving: “Thanks to this experience, I am now able to fully enjoy working at Mitsui, where I am involved in corporate planning and business development. ”It’s a role that feels both challenging and deeply rewarding, the kind of outcome she once hoped for when she first set foot on campus.
A scholarship that shaped her path
That sense of renewal carried into other parts of her MBA journey as well.
She was awarded the NUS MBA Scholarship for Women, which came with the expectation of leadership. Rather than feeling pressured, she embraced it as motivation.
“Receiving this scholarship encouraged me to run for President of the Diversity & Inclusion Club, where I was able to take on a leadership role and contribute actively.” The recognition became a catalyst for stepping forward, testing herself in new ways, and exploring what leadership truly meant in practice.
Scholarships like these create opportunities for students to grow as visible leaders and role models within the MBA community. And for Aine, that opportunity soon became the foundation for one of the most meaningful parts of her student life.
Leading the D&I Club
As club president, Aine realised the importance of different perspectives on inclusion in a diverse environment. “Perspectives on Diversity & Inclusion vary greatly depending on one’s upbringing, environment, position in society, and industry,” she says. She prioritised listening and co-creating initiatives that mattered to students.
One of the highlights was the International Women’s Day panel, where female leaders from various industries shared their journeys. “Hearing their stories gave me valuable insight into the kind of leader I aspire to become,” Aine says. These moments taught her that leadership, at its core, is about inclusively bringing different voices to the table, learning from them, and building something more substantial together.
She made it a priority to listen to voices across the MBA community. She also valued working closely with her vice president, Siddesh, whose very different background and values brought fresh angles. “Collaborating with him allowed us to approach challenges from multiple perspectives and successfully bring a range of events to life.”
For students considering NUS, leadership roles like these show that the MBA is a chance to shape communities and find role models who can influence your own path.
Lessons that endure
Classroom experiences also pushed Aine out of her comfort zone. “Working in such diverse teams often led to innovative ideas and outcomes that would have been impossible to achieve alone,” she shares.
But the diversity also challenged her. “I was the only Japanese student in my Negotiation class, and at first I struggled with the stark differences in communication styles. However, this experience forced me to rethink my assumptions and adapt in real time.”
This is precisely where the value of diversity in the MBA classroom lies: the opportunity to test yourself in diverse settings, allowing you to adapt and thrive in global roles later.
Of all her courses, Managerial Operations with Professor Joel Goh left the strongest mark. “His teaching masterfully blended real-world cases with both the art and science of operations,” she recalls.
What impressed her most wasn’t only the content, but his approach. “What stood out was his deep respect for students and the thoughtful way he facilitated discussion. Through his class, I gained valuable insights not only into business problem-solving but also into how leaders should engage with people, build trust, and guide teams.”
It offers a glimpse of how MBA leadership lessons translate into practical management, something Aine now applies daily while overseeing a subsidiary with over 2,000 employees.
Aine with Professor Tamaki of Product & Brand Management and her classmates
Juggling priorities with purpose
Balancing scholarship expectations, club leadership, career planning, and parenthood was daunting, but Aine found her rhythm through support and structure. “Friends generously helped care for my son during evening classes and events. I’m deeply grateful to have been in such an enabling environment.”
She also learned to plan with purpose. “I always kept a high-level, long-term vision in mind, even amidst daily demands. And I planned my days down to the hour, ensuring that I made the most of every moment.” Although she also candidly admits, “Of course, things don’t always go as planned when you’re spending time with kids.”
Her advice for future MBAs? “Don’t expect balance to come automatically — you need to design it. Be intentional about your priorities, embrace support, and remember why you’re here. If you do that, even the busiest days become rewarding.”
A friend who helps take care of Aine’s son, Rui (Left). Aine reuniting with Professor Joe at the graduation ceremony (Right)
Redefining leadership
From Tokyo to Singapore and back, Aine’s MBA journey has been one of reinvention and leadership. She entered as a corporate planner in banking and emerged as a business development manager at Mitsui. In the meantime, she continues to refine her inclusive leadership style.
For prospective students, her story demonstrates what’s possible: using the MBA not just as a career pivot but as an opportunity to build confidence, broaden perspectives, and lead with impact.
Discover how the NUS MBA can help you grow, lead, and thrive — Visit our website and speak to our admissions team today!
