EDHEC Rendez-vous Paris 2025: 900 alumni gathered for an evening on the theme of EDHEC by Nature

Throughout June, more than 2,300 participants celebrated the EDHEC Rendez-Vous 2025 in 42 international cities, illustrating the vitality of the EDHEC network around the world.

In Paris, 900 alumni gathered on June 17 in the green setting of the Parc Floral de Paris. An idyllic setting, a true island of freshness during the summer heatwave, where graduates and final-year students shared a moment of reunion, transmission, and commitment. 

A botanical and immersive scenography around the 4 elements

Under the indoor "pagoda" or from the shaded terrace with large white canvases stretched like ship sails, alumni enjoyed an elegant and soothing evening, carried by a shared breath and an invitation to travel. The Parc Floral provided an exceptional setting to celebrate the community in all its diversity and illustrate the theme of this edition: EDHEC by Nature. 

This 2025 edition took on a strong sensory dimension thanks to a scenography inspired by the four elements:

• Water, with an entrance transformed into a luminous immersion, immersing participants from the moment they arrived;

• Fire, evoked by pyrotechnic effects;

• Air, expressed during the plenary session through a vocal performance;

• And of course Earth, honored during a generous, eco-responsible, and local cocktail, bringing guests together for a committed culinary experience.
  
  

View the evening’s photo album

Every element of this event was designed with an eco-responsible approach. Did you attend the evening? Please take 30 seconds to answer 3 questions to help us assess the carbon footprint of this edition... and do even better next year!

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Julie Chapon, EDHEC of the Year 2025: embodying impact

The highlight of the evening was the awarding of the EDHEC of the Year 2025 prize to Julie Chapon (EDHEC Master 2011), co-founder of Yuka. Her commitment to more transparent food choices, her entrepreneurial courage, and her societal impact were widely praised.

👉 Read her portrait

Another key award of the evening: the Solidarity Class Prize and the Most Generous Class Prize were both awarded to the Master 1994 class, represented by Olivier Marion, for their outstanding contribution to the Promo Challenge 2024. This annual challenge, held last October, mobilized classes celebrating 5, 10, 15, and 65 years since graduation around a common goal: to support EDHEC's scholarship program and its social outreach strategy. It rewards both collective commitment and the amount of donations made. The 1994 class stood out as the clear winner on both fronts.

👉 Discover EDHEC’s scholarship program

An inspiring transition at the head of EDHEC Alumni

This evening also marked a symbolic moment: Martin Barbier (EDHEC 1988) handed over to Cendrine Tabary (EDHEC 1996), Executive Director of EDHEC Alumni. Anne Geisert, President of EDHEC Alumni, was also present to commend Martin’s eight years of success leading the network and to express gratitude for his constant commitment. A warm transition, filled with emotion, gratitude, and enthusiasm for the challenges ahead.

Three pillars to make the network shine

Emmanuel Métais, Dean of EDHEC Business School, was warmly applauded on stage before sharing major progress on the "Generation 2050" strategic plan.

Cendrine Tabary followed on stage to explain how the EDHEC Alumni community is a powerful driver of development and visibility for the school. She unveiled her new strategy for EDHEC Alumni, built around three main pillars:

• Engage the community and enhance EDHEC’s reputation

• Promote net positive business

• Drive transformation and innovation
  
  

👉 Discover her inspiring message

A call for individual commitment

The evening also reminded everyone that they are an actor in the network.
Thanks to the many alumni who volunteered after the plenary session to become a mentor, a donor, lead a club as an ambassador, or share their job or internship opportunities. 

Thank you!

👉 Discover 11 ways to take concrete action for EDHEC and its network