Recent Alumni Spotlight: Alexander Swaab
“ISA taught me to think bigger, to stay curious, and to develop a sense of drive that has carried through everything I’ve done since. These lessons I want to transfer to my children as well which is why my eldest daughter started ISA last year.”
Meet Alexander Swaab, Class of 2008 graduate and now a parent of a Nursery student. Alexander studied International Management at London School of Economics and ESADE Business School and is a Co-Founder of a Clinical Trial Intelligence Platform. After studying at ISA for most of his life, he also chose our school for his daughter’s education.
How did your time at ISA impact your life?
My time at ISA has had a lasting impact on my life, both personally and professionally. I look back on those years with genuine fondness, not just because of the memories, but because of the people and the mindset it shaped in me. My closest friends today are people I met at ISA, and I also have friends spread all over the world with whom I’ve stayed connected over the years. That’s a reflection of how strong the ISA bond really is.
ISA taught me to think bigger, to stay curious, and to develop a sense of drive that has carried through everything I’ve done since. The international environment, combined with the depth of those relationships, gave me a global outlook and a lifelong network that continues to influence how I see the world and my place in it. These lessons I want to transfer to my children as well, which is why my eldest daughter started ISA last year.
What are some of your most memorable moments at ISA?
My most memorable experiences were being part of the sports teams (football and basketball) and taking part in the NECIS sports competitions. The teams and coaching were done at such a high level, and the drive and competitiveness taught me a lot about work ethic. The support from the ISA community at games was also incredible. I was always very proud to be part of the team.
What is your current career, and why did you choose that path? What advice do you have for others looking to enter your field of work?
I’m the co-founder of a HealthTech company. After university, while most of my peers went into consulting or finance, I was more drawn to hands-on problem-solving, so I jumped straight into the startup world.
What’s always excited me is figuring things out in the deep end: making sense of the chaos, learning fast, and building something real from scratch. There’s a sense of purpose and energy in that process that’s hard to find elsewhere.
My advice to anyone thinking about entrepreneurship: don’t wait until you feel “ready.” You won’t. Just jump in. You’ll surprise yourself with how much you’re capable of figuring out along the way.
What advice or insights do you have for our current ISA students?
Think ahead. The world is more dynamic than ever, and change is constant. If you plan your future based only on what you know today, you risk falling behind. Instead, pay attention to where the world is heading, even if it feels uncertain. Planning for what’s coming, rather than what’s already passed, will keep you closer to relevance and opportunity. Chasing the past means chasing a moving target. Anticipating the future puts you ahead of it.
The ISA Alumni Spotlight series aims to showcase the journeys of individuals in our student, teacher and parent alumni communities. We ask them to reflect on how ISA made an impact on their life, and to share their advice on how to carry out the mission of international understanding.
