Their names are Moojan Asghari, Maguelone Biau, Sophie Chabaud, Anne Hardy, Hayatte Maazouza and Faïza Younsi. EDHEC Alumni previously caught up with them to talk about their careers, in some cases international, courageous and committed. Always inspirational. Today we got in touch with them again to hear the message they would like to share with all of the EDHEC community to mark this International Women’s Day.

“I’m glad to see more and more women occupying senior positions in big firms. Unfortunately, I fear that many of us must continue to “play” by men’s rules and adopt masculine traits or – worse still – play a particular role and fit a mould defined by men if we hope to progress and reach such positions. I continue to dream of the day when firms of all sizes will have a gender-free culture, one that is welcoming and fulfilling for all, at all levels, men and women alike."

Anne Hardy (Global MBA 2002)

After 10 years at SAP, Anne is now Chief Security Information Officer of Talend in San Francisco

Read her profile and background

“One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is to choose a career that will give you the flexibility to work while being able to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Building the discipline to prioritise yourself and your well-being over your work may be a difficult task when you love your work, but in the long term you will reap the advantages. In today’s society, we tend to believe that women must work harder to get the same results, but over time I have learned that that is not the case. You do not need to exhaust yourself to prove your worth. My message to my female friends on this International Women’s Day is to stop working so hard and missing out on life."

Moojan Asghari (EDHEC MSc Corporate Finance 2015)

Founder of Thousand Eyes On Me, a talent development platform for women and gender minorities. Co-founder of Women in AI, an organisation that aims to attract women to the artificial intelligence sector. 

Read her profile and background

“Nowadays one either thinks there aren’t enough women in leadership positions or that there have never been so many. I chose the second perspective. This is not a women’s day but rather a women’s “era” in which we can become CEOs, presidents, professional athletes and much more. Many obstacles remain but all that we achieve today means fewer difficulties for future generations!" 

Maguelone Biau (EDHEC Master 2016) 

EDHEC Alumni ambassador in Abidjan, former General Manager for Côte d’Ivoire at Glovo, and now CEO of KAMTAR, the leading digital platform for connecting transporters and professional or private customers in West Africa.

Read her profile and background

Be daring but be yourself: professional life, friendships, family life, passions ... everything can be reconciled and even mutually beneficial!

Sophie Chabaud (EDHEC Master 1989)

Deputy Director of Communication, Benefactor Relations and Resources, Apprentis d’Auteuil Foundation

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" "Never give up" used to say Gisèle Halimi. There are many challenges: climate crisis, political crisis, wars, pandemics and at the same time so many beautiful things to create. There is a horizon that will only see the light of day thanks to you, women, so speak up, dare, demand of yourselves and then of others, create, fail, create again, move forward without ever resigning yourselves."

Hayatte Maazouza (EDHEC Master 2015)
Director of Economic Development, Employment and Integration - City of Trappes (78)
Read her profile and background

“Every time a woman is appointed to a senior position, it’s another step towards greater equality. We applaud the all-too-few appointments in CAC40 companies or governing bodies. But gender equality is also and above all a daily struggle. Each promotion, each step towards autonomy and financial independence ... is a “small” victory that will help us win the battle in the long run.”

Faïza Younsi (EDHEC Master 2001)

Economic journalist on BFM Business

Read her profile and background

Finally, Hager Jemel, Director of the Open Leadership Chair and Associate Professor, shares her vision and the challenges of her role:

“If we look back, we can only welcome the progress achieved when it comes to women’s rights. Yet several inequalities persist, serving as a reminder that such progress is not enough. I’m thinking in particular of financial compensation and access to senior positions for women. Achieving fairness and equality between the sexes is one of the primary challenges facing society in this generation. It is a responsibility to which both men and women must all step up. 

I am happy to do my bit alongside my colleagues at the EDHEC Open Leadership for Diversity & Inclusion Chair, and hope that we will be able to shift the goalposts via education and research in this area.”