My life story has unfolded against the backdrop of encounters, voices, journeys, perspectives, all of which have been essential and have inspired and guided me along the way. 

Dreams in which I believed so strongly that they came true. 

I have a cosmic trust in what may come to pass, even through times of hardship, indeed sometimes thanks to them. 

A journey of wonderment.

Being an EDHEC Resource is about conveying that humble and intense experience. Sharing that faith in life bound to living cells. Welcoming that which inhabits us, that which presents itself, what we give and what is given to us, what constrains us and also sometimes torments us. Faith in the act of “rubbing shoulders” with reality, and the self-work it implies, the growth it requires. My life story is one of vitality and desire, shaped in the here and now, lived fully, often alongside “companions of the heart”: from the youngest age, these were novels and writers, sensations, teachers – I remember one Latin teacher who gave me my love of literature, of writing forever –, family members, friends, animals, nature, shared glances with strangers, yet familiar somehow, paths crossed in truth … Those unforgettable faces encountered on my many journeys of initiation, sometimes alone, around the world, or worlds. As I write, I see before me the dazzling smiles of the two children, brother and sister, with whom I spent some time in Madagascar, the grace of those women in Varanasi, waist high in the Ganges making an offering to the sacred river, with its tranquil strength, and the penetrating stare of the leopard whose unexpected appearance in the heart of the Serengeti continues to move me today.

From adventure to adventure, carried thus on life’s journey, I arrived at EDHEC. I have enjoyed these three years so much, partly spent at the Clef des Planches theatre club where I enjoyed the fascinating experience of the human element, the actor’s game, and stagecraft:  Les Justes, by Camus, remains for me a sparkling memory that created eternal love and indelible friendships. Outside of EDHEC, I took literature classes at university in Villeneuve d'Asq. In third year, I chose to specialise in market Finance: the Professor was brilliant and inspirational and became one of those mentors who has never really left my life. There have been so many, both before and since.

I graduated from EDHEC with a Master’s in 1996, as my journey moved in the direction of finance … Another crucial encounter, followed by another, and yet another: 18 years in a communication agency, working on strategy and brand positioning, PR, creating and coordinating events, exhibitions, trade fairs, rolling out marketing action plans in France and abroad for clients from a wide range of sectors (hotels, pharmaceutical laboratories, B2B, B2C, luxury, culture, etc.).

And then another “penny drop” encounter brought me to a world dear to me: culture, where I have been since 2013. A fortnight ago I was talking about this journey to EDHEC, as a guest speaker of the Inspiring Women EDHEC association at the "Women of Culture" roundtable discussion, a lively and vital opportunity to share my experience with students. Last year, I once again ran interviews for candidates from preparatory studies looking to join EDHEC. It’s an experience I regularly return to as it is so fascinating.

Throughout all these years, my life has been fuelled by the beautiful and the true, lived with my heart & soul. Horse-riding and dancing for the last 20 years. And now taekwondo over the last few years. And then there was that enlightening encounter with yoga and meditation, whose teachings I have been following for 15 years with a yogi master in the purest of tradition; and now teach private and group lessons, notably for the RICHEMONT / CARTIER group. Perhaps at EDHEC in the near future, who knows? Cut down the ego and embrace silence – a cellular, physiological and mental silence – sharpen your vision, capacity to listen, presence.

Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.
 Simone Weil, La Pesanteur et la Grâce

Isabelle CHATOUT (EDHEC Master 1996)