Stéphanie Cornen
HEC Paris
Age: 37
“Passionate in every interaction and experience.”
Hometown: Marseille, France
Family Members: Husband, one 4-year-old daughter and 2 stepsons (8 and 10 years old.)
Fun fact about yourself: I feel more comfortable in the yoga tree pose than on my own two feet.
Undergraduate School and Degree
Double Doctorate: PharmD and PhD — This unique dual-degree program has equipped me with extensive expertise in pharmacy and a deep understanding of sciences, enhancing my research and practical capabilities in the field.
Where are you currently working? Innate Pharma – Head of Portfolio Strategy
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles:
Best Thesis Award (PharmD): Recognized for outstanding academic research and contribution during my PharmD program.
Humanitarian Trip to Benin: Actively participated in a service project focused on healthcare, contributing to measurable community health improvement, while gaining invaluable cross-cultural experiences.
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Among my academic accomplishments in the Executive MBA program, I am most proud of my performance in two challenging finance courses—Accounting and Corporate Finance—where I achieved an ‘A’ in each. Transitioning from a scientific background, I initially had no familiarity with these areas. However, through dedicated effort, I mastered essential financial skills that have become integral to my professional role. I now leverage this knowledge to analyze our competitors’ financial reports, enhancing my understanding of the competitive landscape. This ability to apply my academic learning to real-world challenges highlights the great value of EMBA education.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? As the Head of Portfolio Strategy at our R&D company, I am responsible for overseeing the development of groundbreaking cancer treatments. What truly stands out to me is the progress of several projects reaching clinical trials and demonstrating promising results in treating resilient cancers. Seeing strategic decisions materialize into potential new treatments is profoundly rewarding. These accomplishments highlight the critical role of cross-functional collaboration, drawing on diverse expertise, and underscore that success is built upon the foundation of team effort.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? Emmanuel Coblance was undoubtedly my favorite MBA professor. He taught the leadership module with a remarkable dedication to our individual growth. His ability to provide personalized, insightful advice for each unique situation was truly exceptional. I gained invaluable insights into the importance of paying attention to what he called “weak signals”. This lesson has taught me to carefully listen to and analyze inputs from various stakeholders in order to navigate complex political landscapes effectively.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? I chose HEC Paris for my Executive MBA primarily for its unparalleled global network. Perennially ranked among the world’s top programs, HEC Paris provides access to an extensive international alumni network of 68,000 members across 152 countries, along with 850 annual events. Additionally, HEC’s robust curriculum in business and leadership development equipped me with the necessary skills to transition from R&D to broader strategic roles in my career.
What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? During my MBA, the most significant lesson I learned was about the transformative power of determination. Seeing my peers relentlessly pursue their objectives within the EMBA program, as well as in their personal and professional lives, was incredibly inspiring. It demonstrated that with determination, even seemingly impossible challenges can be overcome, and one can inspire and gather support from others for their cause. This understanding has influenced how I approach my own challenges leveraging the power of determination to achieve success and inspire others.
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? During the crucial final phase of my Executive MBA, balancing work, family, and education required careful planning. I approached it methodically, concentrating fully on one task at a time rather than trying to do everything at once. My agenda became my trusted companion, helping me organize each day and allocate specific time to each aspect of my life. For instance, in a typical month, I juggled my full-time job, crafting my essays reflecting and validating the past module learnings, completing the online training to prepare the next module, and attending my children’s school, Christmas market event, among others. To enhance my focus, I occasionally spent weekends at my parents’ house. The unwavering support from my husband was crucial during this time. Ultimately, successfully juggling work, family, and education during my MBA taught me that such achievements are only possible with the solid backing of loved ones.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? Embarking on an Executive MBA program is a transformative journey that goes beyond professional development. My advice to anyone considering this path is to be fully prepared to immerse yourself in the experience. You’ll be interacting with a diverse group of over 70 bright, engaging individuals whose lives and perspectives will enrich your own. Embrace every minute of it with an open heart and mind. Ensure you can dedicate not just time, but also deep commitment, to make this experience truly unforgettable. The program will challenge you in unexpected ways, and you will emerge not only as a better leader but as a person eager to seize every opportunity life offers.
What was your biggest regret in business school? My biggest regret during business school was not having the opportunity to delve deeper into several subjects and participate in additional modules to expand my skills.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I most admire my classmate, Claire Renoulin, who is not only exceptionally kind-hearted and altruistic, but also impressively capable. From our very first meeting, Claire Renoulin inspired me with her decision to prioritize her personal development. She chose to invest in her education using a financial windfall, rather than in more conventional assets like real estate. This decision reflects her deep commitment to growth and learning.
Claire’s journey during our EMBA was fraught with immense personal challenges. She dealt with the heartbreaking loss of her mother and also confronted serious health issues, suffering a stroke. Despite these significant obstacles, Claire ‘s resilience never faltered. She continues her career, focusing more deeply on the values she holds dear and her involvement in environmental and ESG initiatives.
Her ability to transform adversity into opportunity is truly inspiring. Claire ‘s story is a powerful testament to the importance of resilience and self-belief in today’s unpredictable world.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? The main reason I chose an Executive MBA over part-time or online alternatives was the invaluable opportunity to connect closely with my fellow participants. The true value of an MBA lies in the rich interactions and network you build with diverse professionals. Being physically present allows for deeper engagement and more meaningful connections. This level of interaction simply can’t be replicated in online settings.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? I consider myself fortunate to work in a field I am deeply passionate about. My professional goal is to continually apply the knowledge and experience I have gained to lead and manage my own organization. This ambition stems from a desire to harness what I’ve learned—not just from my courses but also from experiences—to bring my stone to the edifice in advancing cancer therapy.
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