A Collective Vision for Inclusive Leadership and Impact: HEC Paris at the 2024 Women’s Forum

The 2024 Women’s Forum Global Meeting held on October 23-24 in Paris offered HEC Paris a significant platform to demonstrate its dedication to inclusivity, social responsibility, and transformative leadership. Beyond its renowned Women Entrepreneurs for Good (WE4G) program, HEC Paris spearheaded discussions and engaged in initiatives aimed at advancing gender equity, accessibility, and intergenerational collaboration, underscoring its role as a global leader in fostering societal change.

Championing Disability Inclusion

HEC Paris Assistant Professor Leandro Nardi led an impactful discussion on advancing disability inclusion in the workplace. Drawing from research and personal experience, he highlighted four key practices for fostering a more inclusive environment: creating safe spaces, supporting long-term career progression, engaging specialized expertise, and addressing intersectional challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. Nardi’s insights underscored the importance of building inclusive workplaces that benefit society as a whole. (Read more about his approach to disability inclusion in our full article.)

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HEC Alumni Leading the Way on Gender Budgeting, Mentorship, and Collective Engagement for Inclusive Growth 

HEC alumni brought their expertise to the forefront, addressing critical global issues. Amélie de Montchalin, French Ambassador to the OECD and former Minister of Ecological Transition, discussed the transformative potential of gender budgeting as a tool for gender equity. “Gender budgeting goes beyond simply allocating funds for women; it’s about being aware, measuring, and identifying where disparities exist,” she explained, emphasizing the role of conscious financial planning in sectors like healthcare, where women form the majority.

Jean-Luc Allavena, a longtime advocate for gender equality, Chairman of Institut Aspen France, distinguished HEC Paris alumnus, and a founding initiator of the “HEC au féminin” initiative, shared his journey and insights on fostering inclusivity through mentorship during his keynote, “Collective Engagement: The Heart of Reconciliation.” “Leading by example is essential. We must be mentors and create spaces where women can excel—not only for their benefit but for the growth of our communities and organizations,” he stated, underscoring the importance of leadership in building inclusive, resilient workplaces.

Allavena’s keynote challenged the audience to look beyond traditional gender narratives and consider shared responsibility in driving inclusivity. Speaking to a predominantly female audience, he highlighted that achieving true reconciliation is a collective effort. “This event is not only about you, but about us all. We are here because we believe in bringing value together,” he declared. His remarks underscored the importance of collective engagement and proactive allyship in fostering inclusivity across all areas of society.

Bridging Generational Gaps Through Dialogue

Virginie Chauvin from Forvis Mazars added another layer of insight through a panel on intergenerational collaboration titled “Conversation with Youth: Owning Your Responsibility, Owning Your Power.” Moderated by ESCP Professor Ben Voyer, the panel highlighted the need for respect and partnership across generations to tackle today’s global challenges. Chauvin emphasized, “We have a responsibility to create conditions that develop a culture of collaboration, where respect between generations is fundamental,” resonating with the audience about the importance of building adaptable, cohesive organizations.

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HEC Imagine Fellows: Students on a Mission

Representing HEC Paris’s commitment to inclusivity and global impact, HEC paris Master student Agathe Jallot from France and Najwa Alam an HEC Imagine Fellow from Afghanistan attended the Women’s Forum as Youth Ambassadors, advocating for the transformative power of education in war-torn regions. The HEC Imagine Fellowship program provides scholarships to exceptional students from countries affected by conflict, including Afghanistan, Ukraine, Lebanon, and Syria, giving them the opportunity to study at HEC Paris, engage with diverse perspectives, and experience French culture firsthand.

Agathe, Co-President of the HEC Imagine Association, highlighted the importance of networking and learning from female role models at the forum, noting that these connections were crucial for expanding the mission of HEC Imagine. “Today, we are at the Women’s Forum to promote our association and be inspired by role models here,” she explained, “as well as to deepen our understanding of critical issues like climate change, generative AI, and mental health—all of which shape our future as leaders.”

Najwa expressed her pride in representing both Afghanistan and HEC Paris as a Youth Ambassador for business and peace. “This is an honor, to connect with people who share our commitment to using business as a tool for peace,” she shared, adding that the forum provided invaluable insights on leadership, mental health, and the skills necessary to become an effective, empathetic manager. Through their presence at the Women’s Forum, Agathe and Najwa embodied HEC Paris’s mission to foster young leaders dedicated to social impact, using their voices to advocate for greater educational access and cross-cultural understanding.

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Driving Societal Change Through the Support of Women Entrepreneurs

The Women Entrepreneurs for Good (WE4G) program took center stage at the Women’s Forum, exemplifying HEC Paris’s dedication to removing the barriers women entrepreneurs face in accessing funding, professional networks, and support for entrepreneurial achievements. A joint initiative by the HEC Paris Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute, the Women’s Forum, the HEC Foundation, Bank of America, and Bredin Prat, WE4G empowers early-stage women entrepreneurs by providing business coaching, resources, and connections to global networks. Each year, ten finalists are selected from hundreds of applicants worldwide to join the HEC Incubator, where they develop and refine their impact-driven ventures.

This year, the WE4G program celebrated three standout laureates: Mathilde Janicot, founder of Revolty, who was awarded the Main Prize for her sustainable battery solutions aimed at democratizing residential energy storage; Justine Pelisson, founder of WIP Women in Progress, who won the Audience Prize for her platform that empowers young female engineers through orientation and recruitment support; and Elsie Amoako, founder of Mino Care, who received the Mental Health Prize for her culturally sensitive virtual perinatal health center, supporting reproductive and perinatal well-being.

The success of these finalists and laureates highlights HEC Paris’s role as a global leader in empowering women entrepreneurs and driving positive societal change. 

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A Global Commitment to Transformative Impact

The impactful presence of HEC Paris at the 2024 Women’s Forum demonstrated the power of community and collective action in advancing impactful leadership and entrepreneurship. From the success of WE4G finalists to the insights shared by HEC professors, alumni, and students, HEC Paris continues to play a leading role in driving societal change through empowerment, collaboration, and action.

These exchanges underscored the essential role of educational institutions and business leaders in working together to foster innovation and inclusivity in today’s evolving world.