“I have long been committed to EDHEC Alumni. Initially, after graduating, I belonged to the EDHEC group at P&G. The idea was to enhance the company’s reputation among our students by participating in events at the School to recruit interns and young candidates, as well as doing presentations or taking part in classes. On a personal level it was quite gratifying as a young graduate to be able to share my experience and steer others towards their future vocations. My involvement was valued by my company, and it was also a great way for me to form a network within the firm: I remember doing a presentation on careers in sales with Vincent Cheney (EDHEC Master 1980), who at the time was in a management post at Procter while I held a junior position, so that was really interesting exposure for me, although not too demanding personally since it only represented one or two half days a year.

It was when I became a manager that you might say I tweaked my involvement. First, I started taking part in the EDHEC admission jury panels, which was a fantastic experience that included wonderful encounters with candidates with diverse profiles, as well as the chance to work alongside EDHEC professors and other alumni. Lastly, I feel I was in a position to influence the recruitment of future EDHEC students, a real opportunity for me to give something back. It was also a good way to take the pulse of the generation that would be joining the firm a few years later.

Beginning in 2017, I was elected to the EDHEC Alumni Board of Trustees. You might ask how I ended up in that position – it was through the network! Anne-Sophie de Gabriac (EDHEC Master 1995), who was already a board member and whom I had met at Colgate-Palmolive, strongly encouraged me to put my name forward, and I was re-elected in 2022. EDHEC Alumni represents at once a big commitment if you really want to invest, but one that is incredibly enriching! In my case, I take part in one monthly meeting, generally in the evening, and I work with my committee addressing particular issues. We collaborate a lot with the School, favouring synergies. And we are very lucky because its management team have a really appealing strategic vision. What I love is that ultimately joining the EDHEC Alumni team has opened my eyes to fascinating issues, some of which I never would have been exposed to in my work, and what’s more, I’m alongside highly experienced board members, which drives my appetite to contribute to a shared project of excellence.

Finally, and this is probably the easiest contribution, I’m also registered as a mentor. I have so far accompanied a few people from EDHEC, whether young or more experienced graduates, offering them professional advice. In my case, this took the form of a few phone conversations during which my mentee outlined their situation, desires and difficulties. It’s very motivating to be able to help someone with advice – this usually means sharing your own experience and plenty of common sense –, to pass on the energy they need to persevere or help them excel and be daring. It’s hard to describe the satisfaction you feel when, a few months later, that person calls you up to share good news. It’s a simple and ever so gratifying way to transmit something, and all it takes is a few phone calls!”