Donor of the month: Olivier Gautier, Master EDHEC 1997, Senior International Business Development Manager, RENAULT

Discover the donor of the month: Olivier Gautier, Master EDHEC 1997, Senior International Business Development Manager, RENAULT.

Tell us about your links with EDHEC.

I graduated from the EDHEC Master’s programme in 1997 and have been “married” to the school since: I’ve been a trustee since 1998 on the board of the Association des EDHEC and have also been an EDHEC / Renault ambassador, a member of the Executive Committee of the EDHEC Foundation, head of the Automobile Club, a donor, an EDHEC Resource ... so it’s safe to say my involvement knows no bounds when it comes to promoting the quality of my own diploma and our network within and outside the community.

I have a 3-year-old boy and am already teaching him the same values that I nurture with the EDHEC network and the school: solidarity, listening to others, sharing.

So my links with EDHEC are very close indeed and I intend to further increase my financial commitments or give up more of my time to encourage others to donate, a natural step for me and a way of recognising the immeasurable contributions the School has made to my own career success.

Why did you decide to support EDHEC projects?

The modern world and education are constantly shifting and EDHEC must ensure it is responsive in the face of the latest societal and educational challenges in France and elsewhere.
Teaching innovation is particularly important if we are to heighten the appeal of the School, which has major plans to develop as a global reference in teaching over the years to come.

I also support EDHEC because I find the ambitions of its management team appealing and I’m convinced that its strategy on research, international development and entrepreneurship is the right one. Indeed, I decided to get more involved in various bodies within the School to really contribute hands-on to its development and its many projects.

Is there a particular project that is important to you? 

Teaching innovation is a real driver of growth and value creation for the School. And it can only be achieved with cutting-edge knowledge of the directions that businesses wish to take hand-in-hand with the world of education. It is therefore essential for EDHEC graduates to share their knowledge through their businesses if we are to progress.

I would be happy to allow EDHEC to benefit from my (modest) professional experience at Renault if it could help adapt courses to the real expectations of companies.

What message would you like to convey to other alumni to encourage them to donate?

Donating should come naturally to us all as it is an effective way to contribute to the School’s development. There are also many students who have financial difficulties and we have a duty to show solidarity with the EDHEC community to increase the number of grants available.

Actually I’m more surprised by the number of donors than by the amounts donated. We also have detailed feedback on how donations are used, which should be reassuring and encourage the EDHEC community to donate.

And when you consider that the more donations are made, the more they can contribute to the School’s reputation, and therefore to the value of past and future diplomas alike, there should be no room for hesitation.