Editorial by Hortense de Roux (H.05), President of HEC Alumni
As we enter 2025, I would like to extend my very best wishes and warm thanks to all those who, through their commitment and energy, help bring our community to life. In 2024, our network came together at over 1,000 events, including some very special moments, such as the HEC Gala in May, our Annual General Meeting in June, and the Mercure Awards, which celebrated HEC entrepreneurs from the 4 corners of the globe.
We launched the first One HEC strategic projects, with closer collaboration among HEC Alumni, the School and the Foundation: improving our communications, centralizing our database, better supporting our graduates throughout their career. In 2025, we need to go even further to engage the 78,000-strong alumni community more widely, both in France and internationally.
This will be achieved through a number of actions, including: more direct involvement with our graduating classes, thanks to a strengthened relationship with the class delegates and the organization of milestone class-reunions on Campus which are high points for alumni and great opportunities to reconnect with the School; more targeted international offers, which you can already discover at the start of the year via your membership services; continued digitalization of HEC Stories and our event content; stronger ties with students, particularly thanks to our mentoring programme. It's by consolidating these links that we'll be able to amplify the impact of our community, which I want to be committed, supportive and radiant! With this in mind, we have redefined our purpose:
As the HEC Alumni Association, our purpose is to foster strong connections among alumni and with HEC Paris, empowering our diverse and global community through lifelong learning, collaboration, and mutual support. In doing so, we actively contribute to the school's mission.
Best wishes for 2025!
The 3-Minute Update
:point_right: The Info
HEC Alumni’s New Membership Campaign: “The Day It Just Clicked.”
There's a moment in every journey when everything changes. One day, one encounter, one opportunity. That day when everything becomes possible.
:direct_hit: Why choose the Infinity Pass?
- A global network of opportunities: connections to boost your career. - A range of exclusive services: mentoring, access to events, webinars, career resources and so on. - A collective mindset: sharing your experience, achievements and challenges with all HEC graduates. - Find out more!
Check out the inspiring journey of this alumnus, founder of Brio, an AI startup. Mentoring, memorable events, enriching encounters... just like him, find out how you can make the most of the HEC network's resources with the Infinity Pass.
:clapping_hands: Initiative of the Month
Unveiling HEC Alumni's New Purpose
At the New Year's greeting ceremony, the Association unveiled its new purpose, one that will engage alumni and active volunteers in the HEC network. . From February, club presidents and class delegates will be invited to workshops to reflect on how to put this new purpose into action (contact the network team to sign up)
Your Association
HEC Alumni New Year Wishes Ceremony
On January 14, HEC Alumni had the pleasure of inviting the community to receive New Year greetings from our President, Hortense de Roux (H.05), accompanied by Marguerite Gallant (H.03), Executive Director of the Association, Eloic Peyrache, Executive Director of HEC Paris and Jean-Paul Agon (H.78), Chairman of the Board of Directors of HEC Paris. Watch the replay.
HEC Stories 2024 Yearbook
Highlighting the landmark events of the HEC year, profiling alumni who have made their mark in the news and listing initiatives that have contributed to HEC's influence, this edition is available in its full 304-page version, including lists of alumni, clubs and international chapters. You can preview an extract or order the full paper version now! Find out more.
The HEC Alumni Forum on Campus
To help students prepare for Les Carrefours HEC, HEC Paris' biggest student-company recruitment forum, HEC Life Project organized its annual HEC Alumni Forum on Campus on January 15. This year's event brought together 40 alumni, and over 200 students who took advantage of one-on-one sessions for CV proofreading, mock interviews and speed-mentoring, as well as two conferences on the keys to the HEC network and another one with representatives from HEC's various international offices.
Our Selection from HEC Stories
Éric Lombard (H.81), Portrait of a Minister
Elected HEC of the Year in 2023, Éric Lombard (H.81) was recently appointed Minister of the Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty. Find out more about his remarkable journey. Article by HEC Stories.
On The Campus
An Exceptional Intake For The New MBA Class of January 2025!
The January 2025 MBA intake showcases the exceptional diversity, reflecting the attractiveness of this program. Here’s a snapshot of this remarkable class: 100 students from 39 nationalities (and 60 across the Class of 2026), 95% international, with an average of 6 years' professional experience, 46% women (the highest percentage ever) and an average age of 30 years old.
This cohort reflects the global reach, inclusivity, and excellence that define our MBA program.
What Strategies Against Misinformation? Lessons from X Community Notes: An HEC Paris Insight on Forbes Meta announced on January 7 that it was discontinuing its fact-checking program on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads to rely on users to assess the accuracy of posts, adopting a feature similar to that developed on X since Elon Musk took it over. How effective is Community Notes, X? A study by Professor David Restrepo Amariles (Associate Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Law at HEC Paris, member of the Hi! PARIS Chair and holder of the Worldline Chair) and its co-authors, featured on Forbes, analyzed 240,000 ratings of this program to assess its effectiveness in combating misinformation. More globally, the article highlights proactive strategies for businesses to combat misinformation. Read more.
HEC Paris Announces Major Gift from the ION Foundation to Fund the ION Management Science Lab, an Academic Research Lab Focusing on Mentorship's Role in Startups
HEC Paris Business School and the HEC Foundation have announced a 10 million Euro gift from ION Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Italian entrepreneur Andrea Pignataro, to establish the ION Management Science Lab within the Deep Tech Center at the HEC Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute. Read more.
Let’s Amplify HEC’s Impact Together in 2025!
As we welcome this new year, the Foundation team extends its warmest wishes and heartfelt thanks to the alumni who joined us in transforming the School’s impact during the Impact Tomorrow campaign. The year 2024 was a turning point for HEC Paris and French higher education. We invite you to rediscover here the incredible projects made possible by the generosity of our community. In 2025, our mission continues! The close of the campaign is not the end—it’s a new beginning.
By making a donation to the HEC Foundation, you have a concrete impact on the destiny of talented young people, on the life of the School, on the quality of the teaching provided at HEC and on the research produced by our professors. Let’s keep building on this momentum and strengthening the solidarity of our community. Thank you all for making a difference.
:point_right: Meeting Not To Be Missed
Join HEC Paris for an Exclusive Masterclass in Dubai!
Dealmaking Across Cultures: Are There Universal Rules in Negotiation? Engage in a live negotiation exercise and explore essential principles and nuances of cross-cultural negotiation with Professor Gonçalo Pacheco de Almeida at DIFC Academy Dubai. January 29th at 7pm (GST). For inquiries, contact: gcc-events@hec.fr Register here.
Come Join Us at Our First MBA Afterwork of 2025 in Paris!
Reconnect with fellow alumni, expand your professional network, and share your experiences in a relaxed atmosphere. Don't miss this opportunity to strengthen our community ties! January 30th - 7:30pm to 11pm. Register here.
NYC Chapter: Kick Off 2025 in Style With a Champagne and Wine Tasting Evening Inspired by Contemporary Art !
Celebrate 2025 and meet our new NYC HEC Alumni chapter President Marie-Barbe Girard (H96),to enjoy a selection of champagnes and wines paired with the artwork by Laurent Vernhes, founder of the MVA Wine Club. February 11th from 6pm to 9pm. Register here.
Thank You For Reading!
This newsletter is produced every month with :red_heart: by HEC Alumni The entire HEC Alumni team is at your disposal, do not hesitate to contact us for information: Zélika ISMAIL
Our projects and our events couldn't take place without the payment of your membership fees. Take advantage now of all the services of the HEC network at preferential prices. Subscribe here.
