The current female presidents of our MBA Clubs are (left to right): Ava, Vernice, Eunjee, Léa, Jacklyn, Tejal, Puja and Aminata (photo by Sandra Soriano, MBA '23)

International Women’s Day: Messages from our Women MBA Club Presidents

During the six months of their mandates, the Executive Committees of the MBA Clubs have a profound impact on the lives and learnings of their fellow HEC Paris MBA students. Each team works incredibly hard to create unprecedented events with CEOs and other experts in their industries; to organize meetings and tours of sought-after companies; and to host networking opportunities and Zoom calls with recruiters.

In honor of International Women’s Day 2022, we decided to shine a spotlight on the current female Presidents of the MBA Clubs, asking them about their vision of leadership, and what message they have for women on March 8 and throughout the year.

 

Vernice Arahan, President, Impact Club

Vernice Arahan, President, Impact Club

Vernice Arahan, President, Impact Club (photo by Sandra Soriano)

Home City, Country: Central New Jersey, USA
Last job before the MBA: Program Officer for Strategic Initiatives at Inclusiv

Why did you want to become the President of an MBA Club, and what plans do you have for the club?

Becoming the President of an MBA club is an opportunity to dedicate my skills and experience to an important cause. I want to help build an environment in which everyone can participate and learn from each other. With impact becoming an increasingly important topic for many organizations and companies, I felt that, as a woman of color, it was critical to establish presence and lead conversations on all levels.

My team and I believe that impact is for everyone. Everyone’s work and choices have consequences and impact. Impact is not just a niche market or sector. More and more, companies and organizations are integrating impact into their core strategies. Our aim is to help our fellow MBA students to have their own impact on themselves, their communities and the environment through industry immersions, skill workshops and career networking.

Through the Impact Club, I hope to help establish HEC Paris as a strong impact-oriented school within Europe and internationally. Everyone in the MBA program is doing so much to be leading voices in different conversations around impact. I hope to bring awareness and action to all these unique perspectives.

What does Leadership mean to you? How has your vision of Leadership evolved since you started at the HEC Paris MBA?

On a societal level, leadership is an opportunity to bring people from different communities and backgrounds together for a common purpose to work, live and thrive. On an individual level, leadership is being able to recognize that every person has a story that drives them and being able to empower people to tell their stories authentically and holistically. Leadership means to serve others to raise the community together.

Since starting the HEC Paris MBA, I have learned that leading people is much more than just managing them. Leadership is a long-term commitment to developing relationships and growing with people. Leadership is making an active choice to support others in their own development and align people’s journeys together.

What message do you have for other women on International Women’s Day?

Everything we need to succeed is within us. We are fully capable to lead, to innovate and be the loudest voice in the room. These capabilities are even stronger when we support each other. We amplify each other’s voices, strengths and stories.

 

Léa Bory, President, Marketing Club

Léa Bory, President, Marketing Club

Léa Bory, President, Marketing Club (photo by Sandra Soriano)

Home City, Country: Paris, France
Last job before the MBA: Senior insight analyst, 65dB, Paris region, France

Why did you want to become the President of an MBA Club, and what plans do you have for the club?

Some of the most powerful companies in the world are marketing-driven, like L’Oréal and Apple, to name a few. But when professors ask us what we want to do after the MBA, they usually divide our opportunities into Finance, Tech, Consulting and … “other.” I want to change the perception of marketing for students and show how it is a skill rooted in creativity and data, and is all about building value for any industry our students want to work in.

What does Leadership mean to you?

For our ethics course, I’ve recently been reading What Works, Gender Equality by Design by Iris Bohnet. She explains how “dozens of studies have now demonstrated that women face a trade-off between competence and likability.” I think this trade-off applies to all people in positions of leadership, but it is particularly tricky for women. You need a lot of experience and practice to assess when you need to be one or the other, and the HEC Paris MBA provides just that. It’s like building a leadership muscle.

What message do you have for other women on International Women’s Day?

I don’t really have a message for women; I am surrounded by women who are acutely aware of our situation in the workforce and are striving to become the next leaders in our generation. I am very grateful for that. My message on International Women’s Day is mostly for men: fight to become better allies every day, in the office, at home, and in the classroom.

 

Jacklyn Fernandes Burgo, President, Retail & Luxury Club

Jacklyn Burgo, President, Retail and Luxury Club

Jacklyn Burgo, President, Retail and Luxury Club

Home City, Country: Boston, USA
Last job before the MBA: Director of Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion at an all-girls school in Newton, Massachusetts. I returned to my alma mater specifically to help students tackle issues related to gender equity and real-world work dynamics.

Why did you want to become the President of an MBA Club, and what plans do you have for the club?

The Retail & Luxury Club is one of the most prestigious organizations at HEC Paris and within the European network of partner schools. It is known for providing robust programming for its members and for the entire HEC Paris community. Even before landing at HEC, I had the privilege of connecting with former club Presidents and was so impressed by their dedication and thoughtfulness in setting and meeting their goals during their tenure. Ultimately, I wanted to be President in order to contribute to the Retail & Luxury Club’s legacy of excellence while exploring new themes in the industry.

This term, the club pillars are “Inspiration, Innovation & Integrity.” We aim to curate content that fits within those main themes. We want to inspire our members with dynamic speakers across the industry and assist in more practical matters – such as offering technical skills training, masterclasses and more.

The retail & luxury industry is quickly evolving. Tech and emerging platforms are leading the way in terms of innovation, and we intend to tackle those topics head on, so our membership is informed of the latest industry trends.

And lastly, integrity is an important aspect of doing business at any global organization. It’s bigger than CSR – it’s understanding the societal imperatives that we must be ready to challenge as future business leaders, which is why this pillar focuses on sustainability, circular economy, diversity, equity & inclusion, and business ethics.

What does Leadership mean to you?

Oftentimes, people associate leadership with having the loudest voice in the room. For me, leadership is just the opposite. It’s not about having the loudest, most dominant voice, but it is about reflecting on the topic at hand and voicing your concerns, thoughts and opinions to your peers and colleagues. Leadership is the idea that when you do voice your ideas, the room goes quiet and those around you stop and are keen to listen more intently because they value what you have to say. I don’t aim to be the most vocal, but to have the most impact.

What message do you have for other women on International Women’s Day?

As a woman, you are a force to be reckoned with. In a male dominated world, particularly as it relates to leadership in business, it’s easy to forget the many talents, insights and perspectives you bring to table. Never forget who you are. Be passionate, be fierce, be bold.

 

Ava M. Gurekian, President, Healthcare Club

Ava Gurekian, President, Healthcare Club

Ava Gurekian, President, Healthcare Club (photo by Sandra Soriano)

Home City, Country: Boston, MA, USA
Last job before the MBA: Associate Director, Healthcare & Life Sciences, The Beacon Group. The Beacon Group is a growth strategy consulting firm located in Portland, ME, USA.

Why did you want to become the President of an MBA Club, and what plans do you have for the club?

Healthcare is my passion, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I had been meeting with folks in my class who were in or are interested in the healthcare industry over the course of Term 1. We met for coffee one day and my peers suggested I run as the President of the club. I knew that it was a good fit. Together we created a platform and were successful in the election.

Our goals are threefold: educating students, engaging employers, and inspiring the next generation of healthcare business leaders. We want to expose students to the various types of careers they could have in healthcare: Industry wise, from pharma to medical device, and Functionally, from marketing to finance roles.

We understand the importance of our own network so we started the Healthcare Club’s first ever Ambassador Program. We also brought on an EMBA liaison. We are bringing new employer representatives to campus including Medtronic, Boston Scientific and Merck, and well as several healthcare consulting firms. We are leveraging deep relationships from our prior careers as well as the amazing HEC Alumni network. We are also closely collaborating with other clubs on campus.

What does Leadership mean to you?

When I think of leadership, I think of the classic hiker/camper motto: “Leave it better than you found it.” To me, leadership means changing an organization for the better. It means being passionate about the organization’s mission and wanting to see it not only sustain but improve and grow.

What message do you have for other women on International Women’s Day?

Don’t accept the status quo. Strive to be a changemaker—adventurous, self-motivated, respectful, and resilient.

 

Puja Khanna, President, Product Management Club

Puja Khanna, President, Product Management Club

Puja Khanna, President, Product Management Club (photo by Sandra Soriano)

Home City, Country: Chandigarh, India
Last job before the MBA: Product Manager, American Express, in Gurgaon, India

Why did you want to become the President of an MBA Club, and what plans do you have for the club?

I wanted the opportunity and the challenge to represent the Product enthusiasts at the HEC Paris MBA. I felt that I had the experience and curiosity to help build this community and I’m grateful to have that voice and platform.

As a young club, my team and I want to focus on building relationships and a sense of community by sharing experiences and opinions. The MBA is rich with diversity – different backgrounds, experiences, and interests – and I believe we can learn from each other, to understand how different industries work with respect to Product and how to gain the skills that will help us achieve our individual career goals.

What does Leadership mean to you?

For me, leadership means elevating the people around you, by finding a way to mentor and support them. It’s setting an example, also it’s establishing trust and a respectful relationship.

The HEC Paris MBA has expanded my views on leadership. My experience has laid a greater emphasis on the importance of being open to different perspectives, of understanding and empathizing with opinions we may not ordinarily agree with, and of clear and honest communication.

What message do you have for other women on International Women’s Day?

Even as progress is made towards gender equality globally, there’s a long way to go. It’s important that women support women, use their voices, and be assertive. We must stop holding ourselves back and start taking more risks.

At the risk of stating more clichés, set an example of being uniquely you, even if it might make others uncomfortable.

 

Eunjee Lee, President, APAC Club

Eunjee Lee, President, APAC Club

Eunjee Lee, President, APAC Club

Home City, Country: Seoul, Republic of Korea
Last job before the MBA: Associate Group Brand Manager at Beiersdorf, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Why did you want to become the President of an MBA Club, and what plans do you have for the club?

Last term, I felt that APAC region was often underestimated and we did not have enough opportunities to get to know the region for the students in the MBA program. I wanted to make a better bridge between the HEC Paris MBA and the APAC region.

We recently planned the school’s Lunar New Year celebration, and we are working on bringing more Asian festivals and Asian cuisines to Jouy. On the careers side, we plan to connect students with significant companies and figures in the APAC region.

What does Leadership mean to you? How has your vision of Leadership evolved since you started at the HEC Paris MBA?

Before the MBA, I had not thought of myself as suited to a leadership role, as I often felt stressed to make decisions that affect others and push people to achieve goals. However, in the HEC Paris MBA, we have a variety of opportunities to take on leadership roles, and this environment has put me more at ease of stepping out of my comfort zone.

Especially with APAC Club, my view of leadership has been changing. I am comfortable being myself and taking on this leadership role thanks to dependable colleagues who share a collective vision for the club. We act together to realize the club’s projects.

As an undergraduate, I learned the theory behind different leadership styles, and when they are typically successful and unsuccessful. But during the MBA program I have learned that everyone can be a good leader through their own strength and virtue.

What message do you have for other women on International Women’s Day?

Let’s have a positive attitude about every aspect of our lives.

 

Tejal Pradhan, President, Women In Leadership (WIL) Club

Tejal Pradhan, President, Women in Leadership Club

Tejal Pradhan, President, Women in Leadership Club

Home City, Country: Mumbai, India
Last job before the MBA: Senior Salesforce Consultant at Deloitte US-India

Why did you want to become the President of an MBA Club, and what plans do you have for the club?

One word: Serendipity. In all honesty, it wasn’t planned. I have been actively working for women’s empowerment initiatives throughout my life and I wanted to be a part of a club at HEC Paris that truly reflects my views and resonates with my passion for this cause. So I reached out to similar like-minded women and allies around me, and here we are today!

We started working on our plans even before our tenure as the club’s executive committee started. We worked in tandem with the previous WIL team to get Amazon on board as our corporate sponsor and successfully kicked-off the term with the partnership firmly in place. This was followed by our first initiative ‘Project Lighthouse: wo.mentorship program’ which focuses on connecting Mentees (Current women MBA candidates at HEC Paris) targeting a particular industry with a Mentor (HEC Alum) from the same industry.

We have also started with our ‘Women Who Inspire’ speaker series in which we invite one thought leader from every industry to share their experience with our community. We definitely have more collaborations in the pipeline for this initiative. Our most recent one was the ‘Women In Entrepreneurship’ session where we did a Mini-Trek to Station F and were graced by guest speaker Prof. Shaheena Jivraj, who had come from Qatar to connect with us and inspire women to pursue entrepreneurship. We have more such events planned to promote and facilitate leadership opportunities for our female MBA candidates and we hope that we will continue to make an impact that truly matters. We hope to raise the bar even higher than what was set by the wonderful previous WIL team.

What does Leadership mean to you?

Leadership is enabling people to fulfill their goals. I am blessed with an amazing team that has a plethora of ideas and a vision of how they want to achieve their objectives. But the fact that we can debate, challenge each other and help each other find the best version of ourselves makes me believe that we are all in leadership positions to reach our goals together in the best interests of our Club.

The HEC Paris MBA has opened a whole new world for me. I have realized how ideas, methods and views transcend differently across different cultures. Yet, being able to work together towards one unified cause by leading a team of such highly diverse and amazingly talented individuals has been an incredible learning experience!

What message do you have for other women on International Women’s Day? 

Believe that YOU are the one who can bring about a change. Many times, the ideas of brilliant women are suppressed by saying that they aren’t enough, not because they are not great ideas but simply because we are women. Don’t give up on your idea. Trust yourself and believe that you will be able to bring your idea to life and make an impact, because you can and you #WIL!

 

Aminata Seck, President, Black in Business Club

Aminata Seck, President, Black in Business Club

Aminata Seck, President, Black in Business Club (photo by Sandra Soriano)

Home City, Country: Dakar, Senegal
Last job before the MBA: Business Development Director – West and Central Africa & Haiti, Chemonics International (Washington, DC, USA)

Why did you want to become the President of an MBA Club, and what plans do you have for the club?

My goal was less to become the President and more to ensure that there would be sufficient leadership and representation for the Black in Business Club. That said, when the opportunity presented itself and I noticed there was not anyone stepping up to lead the Club, I was comfortable taking on the role. As a team, we came up with three pillars to underpin our programming: community, culture, and career. We think it’s just as important to identify and secure professional opportunities for Black students in the MBA program as it is to ensure they feel a sense of community on campus and see themselves represented and understood. In the coming months, we look forward to offering programming centered around Black leadership in different sectors and connecting with prospective students who may be considering the HEC Paris MBA, as well as other initiatives.

What does Leadership mean to you?

Leadership is doing what needs to be done when it needs to be done. Listening to others so you don’t make decisions in a vacuum but having the discernment to cut through the noise and make the best decision you can with the information available.

What message do you have for other women on International Women’s Day?

It’s okay to take up space.

 

 

Learn about Women’s Wednesdays, a weekly opportunity for women in the MBA to get together, meet new people, ask questions and voice opinions in a fun and supportive environment.

Join our three-part webinar series, “Spotlight on Diversity,” to learn more about the various clubs, events, and diversity & inclusion initiatives at HEC Paris.