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At the heart of the IÉSEG experience, our professors inspire and mentor hundreds of students every year as they navigate their way toward their future careers. Each month, we sit down with one of them to dive into their background, their vision, their teaching philosophy, and what truly drives them. Let’s meet Rodrigo KAMBAYASHI, Professor of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Social Innovation, who has been teaching at the Paris campus since 2017.

Rodrigo, can you walk us through your journey before joining IÉSEG?

I started with a degree in Applied Mathematics in Mexico, then worked as an analyst before moving into strategy consulting. But eventually, organizational and ethical questions caught up with me. Following a difficult professional experience—the kind that forces you to take a hard look at reality—I wanted to understand why leaders make unethical decisions, even when they are fully aware of the consequences. That quest brought me to France in 2009. I earned a Master’s in Organizational Sociology, another in Organizational Research, and finally a PhD in Economic Sociology. But behind the titles, there was a deeper search: I wanted to understand how humans transform, and how organizations can contribute to the common good rather than destroying it.

How did you end up becoming a professor at IÉSEG?

I joined IÉSEG in 2017 with a quite unconventional profile: I was finishing my PhD, launching my first businesses in France, and advising organizations through their transformations. The school saw something in that mix of CSR, entrepreneurship, and “lived” leadership, not just theoretical.

But what really made me want to teach was something I couldn’t quite name at the time: the energy in a room when someone understands something for the first time. That “aha!” moment when a student goes from “I don’t get it” to “I see it.” To me, that’s everything. It’s not just a metaphor; it is literally what gets me out of bed in the morning.

What moves me the most is seeing students at the Incubator. They arrive with a small idea and a hesitant voice, and a few months later, they’re pitching their project with a level of clarity and boldness that blows me away. It’s like looking at two different people. But in reality, it’s the same person—just finally set free. It’s incredible!

What kind of courses do you teach at IÉSEG?

I teach at all levels: first-year, third-year, master‘s, and Executive programs. I cover themes like social innovation, design thinking, entrepreneurship, and AI. My approach is interdisciplinary and multicultural, reflecting my own path through math, sociology, and economics.

In my “AI & Innovation” course, I start with… LEGOs and Post-it notes. Not just because it’s fun (though it is), but because if you don’t know yourself, AI is just going to amplify your blind spots. Artificial intelligence is a mirror; it acts as an amplifier of who we are. So, before learning how to write a prompt, I help students understand who they are.

As for Business Ethics, it’s essentially a course in practical philosophy. The core question isn’t “Is this legal?” but “Who do I want to become if I make this decision?” It’s a matter of conscience, not compliance. It’s fascinating because once you become aware of your limitations and biases, your potential for action grows immensely.

What teaching methods do you use?

I use all sorts of creative tools to keep the classroom alive—role-playing, simulations, gamification. My golden rule comes from improv: “Yes, and…”, which means never shutting down an idea, but always building on it. Creativity doesn’t survive the fear of looking ridiculous. As professors, we have to create the right conditions so that students want to listen, participate, and learn. They can get information instantly on the internet; what matters is the framework we provide so that information is absorbed and turned into positive action. My role is to create a space where information becomes something living, personal, and actionable.

In a management course on environmental impact, I set up a “food lab.” Our choices have an impact, so we explored the psychology of consumption—our contradictions and our resistances—by tasting insects. Understanding why we resist change is the first step toward actually changing.

How do you build a connection with your students?

I’m on a first-name basis with everyone. It’s not about trying to be “cool”; it’s about removing the barriers that prevent real conversation. The relationship with students is vital if you want them to give their best in class.

I focus a lot on failure and empathy. In France, failure has long been stigmatized, yet it’s the raw material for all real learning. Sometimes, I’ll show up to class with a costume and a microphone and start by sharing my own failures. It’s not for shock value; it’s to show that nothing terrible happens when you’re vulnerable. When students see that, something clicks.

Finally, my door is always open. My students can stay after class as much as they need if they want to talk, even about personal matters. Often, what’s blocking a student isn’t the subject matter itself; it’s something else. Sometimes, just a few minutes of listening is all it takes to get them back on track.

Does IÉSEG’s Vision resonate with your personal approach?

Completely. Deeply. Because what motivates me, at my core, is the search for meaning. Not mine—my students’. Helping someone understand who they are, what they truly want, and how they can have a positive impact on the world while building a meaningful career—that is perhaps the most useful thing a professor can do today. IÉSEG believes in that. And so do I.