Consultants, financial managers, marketing directors, entrepreneurs — HEC Paris EMBAs represent a mosaic of professional backgrounds and ambitions.
They come from diverse walks of life and different corners of the world, all with a shared drive to ascend to the next level in their careers. Some plan to pivot within their companies, and some plan to enter entirely new fields.
For many, the journey to HEC Paris was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. They arrived equipped with rich experiences, ready to embrace the transformative learning environment that HEC Paris offers.
WHY THEY CHOSE HEC PARIS
Some are drawn to HEC Paris for the school’s strong reputation. Others appreciate the city/country balance the campus offers — its close proximity to nearby City of Light.
Though HEC Paris EMBAs can be found in most corners of the world, currently residing in Paris is EMBA alumni Mona Levacher, Class of 2016. She’s currently with global automotive tech company Forvia, which specializes in sustainable mobility solutions. Levacher chose HEC Paris for three reasons, “their great academic quality, strong school, and alumni network.” While at HEC, she says she discovered who she was as an empathetic leader.
In Boston, Massachusetts, Class of 2022 EMBA alumni Quoc-Dien Trinh is currently the Chief of Urology at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital. Like the others, he chose HEC Paris for several reasons. “First, HEC Paris is an extraordinary school with a top-tier reputation,” he shares.
The second reason he chose this school was for the opportunity to study in a bilingual setting.
“HEC Paris was particularly appealing, as it echoed my previous educational experiences including medical school,” he continues.
“Lastly, the modular format of the program was ideally suited to my schedule as an academic surgeon with a demanding clinical practice.”

HEC Paris EMBA alumni Mona Levacher. Courtesy photo
AN EMBA’S SECRET TO SUCCESS
Many successful individuals enter an EMBA program with a sense of confidence, stemming from previous accomplishments and a multitude of their professional experiences.
“It’s natural for successful people to enter an EMBA program feeling they know everything,” shares Trinh. That said, he says the secret to success in pursuing an EMBA is acknowledging that there is far more to learn. “I would encourage all to fully immerse themselves in the EMBA experience (this is true for anything), be aware of your limitations, and strive to elevate yourself to the next level.”
Another recipe for success is to practice, which may not come with immediate gratification. This is what alumni Benjamin Deblicker, recent Class of 2024 grad stands by.
“You have to work hard, persevere, and fully commit to achieving your goals,” says Deblicker, senior vice president of sales at Sportfive, a sports marketing agency based in Germany.
“The ‘work hard, play hard’ mindset captures my approach well,” he says, “Push yourself to the limit, but also know how to enjoy moments of rest and reward.”

HEC Paris EMBA alumni René Azeez (right). Courtesy photo
FAVORITE COURSES AT HEC
The EMBA curriculum is rigorous, innovative, and hands-on. Deblicker’s favorite courses were those in leadership. “From the very first leadership classes to the seminar, these sessions had a significant impact on how I view and develop my leadership skills,” he shares.
He found Emmanuel Coblence’s leadership course to be especially valuable. “His teachings, advice, and follow-up with students were incredibly insightful and greatly enhanced my experience,” he shares.
Over in another part of the world, alumni Dr. Hassan Sachedina lives in South Africa’s Southern Cape in a Big 5 Game Reserve. He’s sometimes lucky enough to see both whales and elephants on the same day.
Sachedina entered the program with the goal of starting his own business, while recognizing that launching a company requires strong leadership skills. He most enjoyed Piers Cumberlege’s class on leadership because it was both “thought-provoking and prompted the most self-reflection.”
THEIR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENTS
Sachedina is now the CEO and Founder of Sayari Earth, a social enterprise working with communities on carbon removal projects, which he launched while he pursued his HEC Paris EMBA.
“I used each module to help inform the business plan and strategy of Sayari Earth,” he says.
Class of 2022 EMBA alum René Azeez recently left MaRS Discovery District in Toronto where he currently resides to pursue a new chapter in his career.
His biggest achievements were twofold. First was graduating with the “Grading Distinction/Best Award” — an award that signifies that he has consistently achieved top grades, excelled in assignments, projects, and exams, and has shown outstanding commitment and leadership throughout the program.
Azeez says his other biggest achievement was creating lifelong friendships with the others at HEC Paris.

HEC Paris EMBA alumni. Courtesy photo
ADVICE TO FUTURE HEC EMBAS
To those who have yet to pursue their EMBA, Azeez has words of wisdom to offer. “Embrace the process in its entirety and be prepared to un-learn as much as you learn,” he shares.
“I would also remind all new students that simply by being accepted into this program, places you in a privileged position. You must commit to using the benefits of that privilege to uplift others in your post-graduation life,” he adds.
Based in New Zealand, recent Class of 2024 EMBA graduate Kalyan Roy says his only regret is not pursuing his EMBA sooner.
He’s currently the national Key Account Manager at BP, and he advises future EMBAs: “Take it slow, be open & humble, and learn from everyone.”
Student | Residing In | Grad Year | Last Employer |
---|---|---|---|
René Azeez | Toronto, Canada | 2022 | MaRS Discovery District |
Benjamin Deblicker | Paris, France | 2024 | Sportfive |
Mona Levacher | Paris, France | 2016 | Forvia |
Kalyan Roy | Auckland, New Zealand | 2024 | BP PLC |
Hassan Sachedina | South Africa | 2022 | Sayari Earth |
Quoc-Dien Trinh | Brookline, Massachusetts | 2022 | Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital |