Since his graduation with a Magister Juris from University of Oxford (2008), Vladimir Bagaev has built a career at the intersection of law, media and technology, and is known for his focus on connecting people and driving positive societal change.
He completed the RSM Full-time MBA programme in 2026 with academic distinction (cum laude), achieving some of his strongest results in quantitative subjects such as statistics, economics, advanced finance and international portfolio management.
Jochem Kroezen, academic director of the International Full-time MBA programme, said, “Vladimir had everything you could ask for in an MBA student. He showed up curious and with a growth mindset. He could to recognise what he did and did not know and was not afraid to be vulnerable or take risks to enhance his learning. More importantly, he acted as a community builder and entrepreneur, playing a vital role in the entire cohort’s experience by co-leading the Student Association and developing multiple initiatives to elevate our programme and student experience.”
An MBA story shaped by leadership and community
Before and during his MBA, Bagaev worked in legal media and innovation, and he was instrumental in the development and launch of Zakon.ru, a large online platform that connects lawyers and helps the public access legal information.
Extracurricular activities played an important role for Bagaev during his MBA study at RSM. The activity that stands out most for him is his initiation of the RSM Toastmasters Club, which supports MBA students and alumni in polishing their public speaking and presentation skills. The club now has multiple chapters across the Netherlands and helps to connect students with alumni to broaden their networks. “Public speaking and high-stakes presentation skills are essential for any effective manager, and Toastmasters provides a safe, structured environment to master them,” explains Bagaev.
Being named in the Best & Brightest list signals that Vladimir Bagaev’s blend of legal expertise, entrepreneurial drive and community leadership is recognised far beyond the RSM campus. The visibility gained from being included on this list can help to open doors for Bagaev’s future ventures in legal innovation, in addition to strengthening RSM’s reputation as a business school that develops graduates who combine strong analytical skills with a clear sense of social responsibility.
About Poets & Quants
Poets & Quants, a leading digital media platform dedicated exclusively to the coverage of graduate business education, included Bagaev in its 2026 Best & Brightest MBAs feature, published in May 2026. This listing is part of an international selection of 100 outstanding full-time MBA graduates, curated and released by Poets & Quants from its base in the United States.
