10.12.2024
Headlines
Highlights of the Alumni Association - second half of 2024
A look back at the activities held in the second half of 2024
After a well-deserved summer break, the HEC Lausanne Alumni Association resumed its activities with a rich and varied program, both in terms of the themes addressed and the formats offered. From online conferences to the charity golf tournament, the Pralong and Cadot prize-winners' evening, a conference on charisma and American politics and a workshop on public speaking, there was something for everyone.
Webinar - Equal pay and equal opportunities for men and women
On September 10th 2024, we were honoured to welcome Aurélien Joly, Head of Communications at the Equal Salary Foundation, for a webinar on equal pay and equal opportunities. This webinar brought together a large number of Alumni, providing an opportunity to take stock of the situation in Switzerland and to discover concrete solutions for reducing gender inequality in the workplace. Aurélien Joly also highlighted the economic and organisational benefits of an inclusive and equitable company.
Christophe Pralong - Alumni HEC Lausanne Golf Trophy
On Friday September 27th, golfers of all levels came together for the traditional ‘Christophe Pralong - Alumni HEC Lausanne’ Golf Trophy. This annual event, organised in the warm atmosphere of the Bonmont Golf Club, aims to raise funds for the Prix Pralong, which finances student projects in developing countries. Every year, the trophy brings together golf enthusiasts to share some friendly moments of solidarity around this sport.
Christophe Pralong & Olivier Cadot Prizes Evening
The winners of the Pralong and Cadot 2024 Prizes presented a series of inspiring projects. The four winning student projects have all had a positive impact in the chosen emerging countries. The evening continued with a talk by Aurélien Demaurex (HEC'04), co-founder of Ecorobotix, who shared his vision of agriculture and artificial intelligence. It was a moving evening, full of hope and motivation for all the projects that are bringing about change!
Conference - Charisma through the American elections and beyond
A conference on a highly topical theme was held in the Internef auditorium a few days before the American presidential elections. Nicolas Bastardoz (HEC'10) and John Antonakis shared their perspectives and expertise, analyzing leadership styles and charisma techniques in general, and more specifically those employed by the presidential candidates. The event attracted a large audience, demonstrating the interest and curiosity of participants in the mechanisms of influence in politics.
Speaking to Engage: Turning Words into Action’ workshop
How to captivate, engage and guide your audience through the power of words, that's what a small group of Alumni experienced during this practical workshop led by Louis Becker (HEC'23). Thanks to the 5 key steps presented, everyone was able to practice becoming an inspiring leader and a captivating speaker.
External events
Thanks to the Association's various partnerships, our members were also able to take advantage of other networking events.
The CVCI opened its doors to its traditional ‘5 à 7’ and its ‘Rencontres des Chefs d'entreprises’ events.
Le Temps enabled our members to take part in exceptional events such as the Forum des 100 and the Forum Prévoyance.
CDOIQ enabled some of our CDO, CAO and Data Leaders members to take part in the 3rd Annual European Symposium for Data Managers and Information Quality.
And let's not forget the HEC Faculty, which included our members in some of its research centre conferences, such as Grand Challenges, Farewell Lesson and the Digivision Special Day.
HEC Lausanne Alumni Clubs
The various HEC Lausanne Alumni Clubs, both geographical and thematic, have made a major contribution to animating the network. We would like to thank our Ambassadors, all Alumni and volunteers, for organizing these events and invite you to read the article on the Clubs' activities during the second half of 2024.
Read the article dedicated to the Club activities
Other events
The semester was also punctuated by HEC events in which the HEC Alumni Association took part. A brief retrospective:
HEC Career Networking Fair
Once again, the Alumni Association booth was a great success, with over 100 students coming to receive tips and advice on networking and how to use it. A great way to support students in their search for internships or jobs, and an opportunity to remind them of the importance of networking in general and the HEC Alumni network in particular.
Graduation ceremonies
Graduation ceremonies have a special significance for the Alumni Association, as it is at this time that graduates officially pass from being “HEC students” to “HEC Alumni”. It is also an opportunity to remind them that they are now part of a unique network of over 14,000 members in more than 70 countries, as well as to invite them to get involved and take advantage of the services and activities offered by their Association.
HEC Executive Education graduation ceremony
On Thursday November 14th, one of the three annual HEC Lausanne Executive Education graduation ceremonies took place in the Anthropole building.
At this event, 150 graduates received their Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) or Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) in the following fields:
- Project leadership
- Digital marketing
- Strategic & digital marketing
- Change management
- Team management
- Management & leadership
These training courses, lasting from 15 to 30 days, enabled these professionals to acquire new skills and deepen their knowledge, thus reinforcing their expertise in their respective fields.
Congratulations and welcome to the HEC Lausanne alumni community.
HEC Doctoral School graduation ceremony
On Thursday November 21st, some forty PhDs received their Doctorates' Degree. The ceremony was punctuated by rapid, popularized presentations of the prizewinners' theses. And as usual, the event closed with a word of congratulations and welcome to the HEC Lausanne Alumni Association.
Master and Bachelor Graduation Ceremonies
On Saturday November 30th, the Graduation Ceremony for all HEC Lausanne 2024 Masters Graduates was held at UNIL in the Amphimax auditorium, with the theme “Unleash your inner pioneer”. 1,500 people were present to applaud the 500 Graduates who took to the stage on their big day, with a live broadcast for family and friends who were unable to attend.
On Sunday, December 1st, it was time for the Bachelor's Graduation Ceremony, which followed the same concept, but in French, with just under 400 graduates.
Our Director, Laetitia Fatio, took to the stage at the end of the ceremonies to congratulate the new Graduates, welcome them to the HEC Lausanne Alumni community and remind them that their link to HEC did not end with their graduation, as they are now, and for life, HEC Alumni!
Bravo and welcome to the 2024 classes!
The Association also awards a prize for excellence every year. This year, we were honored to present :
- The prize for the best grade average in the Baccalauréat ès Sciences in Management to Estelle Cordonier
- The prize for the highest grade point average in the Master of Science in Political Economy to Thibault Gitz.
We congratulate them on their outstanding results!
We were also present at the Master's reception, the Finance Speed-dating night and other events.
We warmly thank all the organizers, speakers, partners and participants! Many more get-together opportunities in 2025 away you!
Read the article on upcoming events
To make this document easier to read, the masculine gender has been used. It goes without saying that all genders apply everywhere and at all times.
