Mattia Ghisalberti

HEC Paris

“An empathic heart and a data-driven mind working together to shape meaningful outcomes.”

Hometown: Milan, Italy

Fun Fact About Yourself: The first time I ever used a spreadsheet was in High School, when I developed an Excel model with scheduled oral exams for every classmate.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Milan, Major in Economics and Management

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Finance Business Partner at Cortilia

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of HEC Paris’ MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I particularly appreciate HEC’s unique approach to leadership and focus on ethical business. The brochure states “We are committed to shaping the leaders of tomorrow, and instilling within them an understanding that their obligations go beyond the bottom line and that they must contribute to the greater good of society.” That matters to me, as I am a strong believer that business must do good for both shareholders and society. Current students confirm the school stands by this philosophy through its curriculum and social-impact initiatives, such as the Social Impact Project.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at HEC Paris (and why)? The prospect of the Outdoor Leadership Seminar captivates me. This unique opportunity will allow me to prove and enhance my team-leadership skills through a series of challenging field exercises supervised by military-trained mentors. Like the real world, this seminar will challenge me to lead in unfamiliar situations, confronting obstacles I have yet to encounter. I believe that this experience will foster my personal growth and equip me with the confidence to shoulder greater responsibilities in the future.

HEC Paris is just 17 kilometers from Paris. What do you see as the best part of earning your MBA so close to Paris? Earning your MBA at HEC Paris, just a short distance from the captivating city of Paris, offers a unique advantage. You can benefit from the strong campus experience provided by HEC while taking advantage of the opportunities and resources available in one of Europe’s most intriguing capitals. The proximity to a global center for startups and the finance industry, combined with the cultural and historical richness of Paris, make this an exceptional location to pursue your MBA.

Historically, over 90% of HEC Paris’ MBA students hail from outside France. Why is exposure to global diversity so critical to business success (give an example from your career)? I have always been aware that it is not possible to fully understand reality with a single lens. Surrounding yourself with individuals from different countries brings unique perspectives and beliefs, and this ultimately enables you to view reality through multiple lenses, expanding your understanding. And that for me is invaluable. As a plus, I learned a few Vietnamese words along the way that will help me in my trip to the country this summer.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest achievement is having avoided massive layoffs of our delivery subcontractors. With inflation rising in 2022, we found ourself evaluating possible costs cuts and one of the most viable options was to reduce our external delivery workforce, which meant laying off 15-20 drivers. But this felt wrong during a difficult economic time. After a few days thinking about this issue, I came up with the idea of creating a collaboration between our delivery and handling partners, that together would be able to better match their workload and workforce. I was proud to have offered a creative solution that created financial and social value, preserving both profit and purpose.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? In envisioning a successful MBA experience two years from now, I prioritize two key aspects: networking and impact. First, I aim to build a robust network of diverse and talented individuals, forging lifelong connections that extend beyond the confines of the program. Second, I aspire to make a tangible impact, both within the business school community and beyond. This may involve leading impactful projects, contributing to sustainable initiatives, or championing diversity and inclusion efforts. By achieving these milestones, I will consider my MBA experience truly successful.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into HEC Paris’s MBA program? Your storytelling is the most essential part of your application. Tell your story and make it memorable. Make the admission team passionate about you and your story, and they would definitely want to discover more about you.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE HEC PARIS MBA CLASS OF 2025