For Michael Kaplan MBA’03D, INSEAD was a transformative experience: an academic journey, a transatlantic adventure, and the cradle of life-changing friendships. But Michael did not come alone: when he arrived at INSEAD in January 2003, his wife Denise was by his side.
Although she was not a student, Denise embraced life around INSEAD with warmth, curiosity and enthusiasm. She quickly became part of the community, built friendships of her own, and made the most of life in France. For Michael and Denise alike, the year left a lasting mark.
“INSEAD changed the trajectory of my life and who I am as a person,” says Michael. “And Denise would’ve said the same thing: she was just as thankful for our time at INSEAD and all the friends she met there, even if she wasn’t actually at the school.”
That connection to INSEAD did not end at graduation. More than two decades later, Michael still works closely with his MBA’03D classmate Jeff Clay at Belltown Power, the renewable energy firm Michael co-founded in 2013. The friendships formed during that year remained strong, both personally and professionally.
In 2024, Denise passed away. Her loss was deeply felt by Michael, as well as the MBA'03D class, and the wider INSEAD community. In the wake of that loss, Michael wanted to create something lasting in Denise’s memory: a tribute not only to her, but also to the important role that partners and spouses can play in the INSEAD journey. So in December 2025, he established the INSEAD MBA Partners Scholarship – In Memory of Denise Kaplan. “I wanted to help partners coming to INSEAD have the experience that Denise had,” Michael explains. “MBA students and their partners sacrifice a lot to come to INSEAD, and they add so much to the community. The scholarship exists to make that journey as easy and fulfilling as possible.”
The scholarship supports MBA students who attend INSEAD with a relocating partner or spouse, recognising both financial need and the important role that partners can play in building community during the MBA year. It is truly an expression of the INSEAD spirit: one that reflects the fact that students’ experience often extends beyond the classroom and is enriched by the wider community around it.
In a demonstration of the depth of the bonds formed at INSEAD, Michael’s MBA’03D classmates have been quick to rally behind the initiative. To date, MBA’03D have donated or pledged almost €500,000 to the MBA Partners Scholarship, with an outstanding participation rate of 31%. “This scholarship isn’t about tragedy, it’s about recognition – recognition of the partners in our lives,” explains MBA’03D fundraising volunteer Milena Ivanova. “For those of us who knew Denise, contributing isn’t charity, it’s participation. As a class, we stick together.”
In addition, Jeff Clay made a substantial donation to help establish the scholarship and contributed an extremely generous US$100,000 for Giving Day in March 2026. “I hope the scholarship can bring more people like Denise, who truly shape the community, into the INSEAD experience,” Jeff explains.
The scholarship is a fitting tribute to someone whose curiosity and community spirit brought so much to INSEAD. It is also a meaningful way to support future MBA students as they build their INSEAD journey alongside the partners and families who are part of that experience.
“I can’t think of any better way to honour Denise than this scholarship,” Michael says.
If you would like to support the success of the MBA Partners Scholarship, please click here.
