10.06.2025
Inside the Faculty
Why I Decided to Return to HEC Lausanne for an Executive MBA
Cristina Pinheiro, who earned a Bachelor’s degree in Management from HEC Lausanne in 2010, returned to her alma mater over a decade later to join the Executive MBA with the focus in Financial Management.
Currently working as a Back-Office and Anti-Money Laundering Officer at Banque Raiffeisen Morges Venoge, she also completed a CAS in Compliance in Financial Services at the University of Geneva.
In this interview, Cristina shares what motivated her to return to HEC Lausanne, how she compares her Bachelor's and EMBA experiences, and how she is experiencing the program today. Her insights offer valuable perspective for alumni considering executive education, showing how an Executive MBA can enrich an already well-established career.
You earned a Bachelor’s degree in Management from HEC Lausanne in 2010. What motivated you to return for an Executive MBA?
The idea of doing an Executive MBA had been on my mind for many years. After several years of experience, including in managerial roles, a program like this not only provides important technical refreshers but also allows for further development of soft skills, including leadership. Deciding to pursue this kind of programme requires careful consideration, as it is demanding and requires real personal commitment.
In recent years, the continuing education landscape has expanded considerably. I took the time to explore the EMBA programmes offered by different schools in the region. The result was clear: the programme offered by HEC Lausanne enjoys an excellent reputation. The Faculty’s values, combined with its rigorously scientific teaching approach, fully met my requirements.
What is it like to return to HEC Lausanne more than ten years after your Bachelor’s? How does your EMBA experience today compare to your time as a Bachelor student?
Sometimes, as I arrive on campus and find myself in front of the Internef building, I think back to 2007 when I first set foot at UNIL. I still remember the Extranef building being newly built. Back then, I was light-years away from imagining I’d be back on campus nearly 20 years later.
I certainly feel more confident than I did back then, but I must admit — I’m still a bit in awe of the place.
What led you to choose the Financial Management focus? Was it a natural extension of your career path or a way to expand your skill set?
It seems like a logical choice given my professional background. I now approach several finance-oriented courses with a very different perspective. These courses allow me to take a step back and gain a more holistic view of the challenges the business world is currently facing.
In your EMBA class, you're one of the few participants with a business or HEC background. What is it like to work with peers from such diverse professional backgrounds?
The diversity of profiles is a real asset and an undeniable added value! Whether you're a doctor, biologist, economist, or engineer, the many group projects encourage us to speak the same language. It’s also a great opportunity to benefit from each other’s knowledge, even though, interestingly, we often face similar challenges in our day-to-day work.
In the end, the diversity within the class helps us push our thinking further, and the quality of our group outputs is enhanced.
What would you advice to another HEC alum considering returning for an Executive MBA?
It’s a demanding journey, and it’s important to be aware of that from the start. Beyond that, I have just one piece of advice: enjoy it! It’s such a rewarding human experience.
Inspired by Cristina’s journey?
