Professor Haeyoung Koo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Management at City University of Hong Kong. Her research explores the intersection of corporate governance and strategy, with a focus on the behavioral aspects of firms’ decision-making processes and their strategic implications. Prior to entering the doctoral programme, Professor Koo worked as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley in New York. She received her Ph.D. in Management from the University of California, Irvine; her M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania; and her B.A. from Brown University.

What do you enjoy most about teaching CityUHK MBA students?

I truly enjoy the enthusiasm that MBA students bring to the classroom. Teaching Strategic Management is especially rewarding because it’s where everything students have learned converges—allowing them to integrate concepts from finance, marketing, operations, and organisational behavior to tackle complex challenges in the corporate world. I also love watching students grow more confident in challenging the status quo and thinking strategically, broadening their perspectives beyond traditional business frameworks.

How do you combine theoretical concepts with the latest industry practices and business trends?

The MBA programme is all about bridging theory and practice, and I bring this philosophy into the classroom. Drawing on my investment banking experience and research in governance and strategy, I incorporate case studies and current business trends to illustrate how strategic concepts are applied in real-world contexts. We explore not only what companies are doing, but also why they are doing it—diving into the decision-making behind their strategies. This approach helps students understand that strategy is both an art and a science.

One career advice to our CityUHK MBA students.

When I was completing my MBA, I remember how much emphasis we all placed on “landing the right job.” It felt as though everything hinged on making the perfect first move. But looking back, I’ve come to realize that the “right job” isn’t as critical as it seems in the moment. What truly matters is having a long-term vision for your career and staying open to the opportunities and lessons that arise along the way. Your MBA is just the first step in a much broader journey. Embrace it with resilience and an open mind, and you will be ready for whatever comes next.