Mario Mero
“Curious engineer turned operations leader who leads with data and dares to grow”
Graduation Year: HEC Paris Class of 2022
Current Role: Director of Operations at Joyson Safety Systems
Why did you decide to pursue an Executive MBA?
As an engineer, I always understood the how but not always the why behind business decisions — that curiosity is what pushed me toward an EMBA. I also saw a strong foundation in business administration as the springboard I needed to keep climbing the corporate ladder.
What lead you to the HEC Paris EMBA, and how did you know this school and this program was the right fit for you?
I live in Paris, and HEC Paris is one of the best business schools in the world — with an alumni network right here on my doorstep. Never underestimate that network. And HEC’s values, excellence and daring, are simply my own values, which made the fit obvious.
How did you customize your learning experience?
I picked the January intake for the international exposure, and joined the “Innovate Like an Entrepreneur” specialization, which took me to Babson College for a week — a brilliant, hands-on introduction to entrepreneurial thinking.
How did you balance the demands of work, family, and the program while studying?
My first son was born during my EMBA, so balancing work, family, and the program was, without question, the hardest part. My takeaway: if you’re organized, driven, and have a partner who has your back, it’s completely doable.
What’s a standout memory from your time at HEC Paris?
Day one, easily. Walking in and meeting people I had no idea would become classmates — and later, real friends I still call and see today. That, and the long nights before the corporate finance exam, taught me who my people were.
How has the program helped you grow personally or professionally since graduating?
HEC didn’t just teach me to back decisions with data — it taught me how to walk into a room with C-level executives and hold my own. That combination of finance, data, and confidence is what got me to where I am today, as Director of Operations at Joyson Safety Systems.
Is this the industry and role you envisioned yourself when you entered the program?
Yes, and that’s exactly the point — I set out to become a leader in my company, and HEC trained me to do just that. But HEC also taught me to dare, so I’m already eyeing my next move.
What are some of the biggest takeaways you gained from the experience?
Leadership, above everything else. HEC gave me a simple framework I still use: know yourself, know your market and company culture, then find where the two fit — that’s where you grow. Add in the finance and accounting skills, and that’s the toolkit I lean on for every real business decision I make now.
For those thinking about applying to the HEC Paris EMBA, what advice would you share with them?
First, be honest with yourself about whether an EMBA — not just any program — is really what you want. Then pick a good school, and think hard about the alumni network you’re joining, because HEC’s is huge and genuinely there for you. After that? Just enjoy the ride — get curious about people and businesses you’ve never encountered, and give back to your classroom while you’re at it.
DON’T MISS: 10 profiles of HEC Paris EMBA Alumni
© Copyright 2026 Poets&Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets&Quants, please submit your request HERE.
