Ifeanyichukwu Mgbenu

HEC Paris

“Generally chill and fun-loving. Passionate about food, finance, female empowerment, and educating out-of-school children.”

Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria

Fun fact about yourself: I’m on a mission to try cuisines from all countries. So far, I have sampled 30/195 and I’m still counting!

Undergraduate School and Degree: Computer Engineering (B.Eng) at Covenant University

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Financial Advisory Associate at Argentil Capital Partners, Nigeria

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? IFC (World Bank Group), Paris

Where will you be working after graduation? Still Undecided

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• Events Director, MBA Council
• VP, Finance, MBA Africa Club
• VP, Events, Women in Leadership Club

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? In my first month of business school, my team and I won the Kraft Heinz Sustainability Case Competition. I am really proud of this because we were able to analyze Kraft Heinz’ value chain and operational model to provide insightful recommendations, which were implemented. Additionally, we were sponsored to visit their Head Office in Amsterdam, Netherlands, which was really exciting as it was my first time visiting the country, and it happened on my birthday too!

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Prepared and established a feasibility analysis for a US$5 billion energy transition bank focused on Africa. This would allow African oil and gas companies to receive required financing for renewable projects and ensure a “just transition” in line with the Paris Agreement. I am super proud of this because it was my most impactful project and greatly influenced my decision to go to business school and have a global career.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose HEC Paris mostly because of the diversity of the program. As a minority female, it was the most important criteria for me, and I needed an environment where I would be seen and supported in all my ambitions. HEC Paris continues to provide that.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite MBA professor was Professor Ai Ting Goh from my Macroeconomics course. I always found economics difficult and generally avoided it. However, she could break down the most complicated things and make them very easy to understand. I also enjoyed discussing the various economic policies of emerging economies with her, and she was always happy to entertain all of my questions and comments.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite course was the Advanced Strategy course. The course was very instrumental in my understanding of corporate strategy and how firms compete and operate. It also had the Negotiation Module which was very hands-on, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? My favorite MBA event is the almighty MBAT – the MBA sports tournament that HEC Paris hosts for all business schools. I think the MBAT highlights the openness and warmth that HEC is known for. It was also an opportunity to meet with other MBA students from other business schools and build lasting bonds in a fun way. I still keep in touch with some of the amazing people I met at the event.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? Honestly, I am not sure I would do anything differently. Perhaps I would attend more social events and be more intentional about building relationships with some of my peers.

What is the biggest myth about your school? The biggest myth about HEC Paris is definitely in the name. Our school is not located in Paris, so imagine my surprise when I arrived at a little cute town about 30 minutes outside of Paris.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Definitely the fact that it isn’t located in Paris. I would not get anything done if I were living the Parisien life. I love the fact that it is quite remote, yet still close to Paris, so I get the best of both worlds.

What surprised you the most about business school? For me, it was the sheer passion that everyone has about their various dreams. Also, the fact that everyone is figuring out themselves and you are not alone in whatever you may be facing.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I admire Si Xiong (Maggie) the most. She was our academic representative during our first term, and I admired her organisational abilities and leadership style. She genuinely cares about people and fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

1) Establishing a mentorship program for women interested in finance, as it brings together two areas I deeply care about. While I’ve been informally mentoring within my circle, I aim to create a structured foundation to expand this initiative on a global scale.

2) Delivering a keynote address at a prominent industry conference. I strive to become a respected thought leader within the finance and energy sectors in Africa. Additionally, I am dedicated to sharing knowledge and actively contributing to industry discussions.

What made Ify such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Ify made a positive impression on me since the first time we interacted in 2022. She had an impressive profile, with extensive experience in finance, had graduated from a top university in Nigeria, was very community-driven and involved, and seemed very ambitious, yet humble, open, curious, and motivated. This first impression continues to ring true to this day when I cross paths with Ify on campus.

She has embraced the highlights and challenges of joining a global MBA program in France, taking on various roles in professional and networking clubs, forging relationships with peers from around the globe, and taking on business case challenges. Even with a busy academic, social, and career-focused schedule, she has always been eager and open to help the recruitment team of the MBA by sharing her experience with prospective MBA students. I was so impressed with Ify when I asked her to join a webinar dedicated to prospective candidates based in Africa. Ify has a way with words, and she was able to connect with our audience by sharing how her personal experiences led her to pursue a top MBA program in Europe, in France, a country she had previously never visited. She was empowering yet pragmatic and practical and full of encouraging words of wisdom and advice both on the application journey but also the MBA experience itself. I loved how she focused on the reality of pursuing a business degree as a woman and I believe this was a true testament to Ify’s dedication to female empowerment, and her motivation to create positive change in the world by leading by example. I am a strong believer and advocate for the importance of seeing diverse voices reflected in our society, and the MBA at HEC Paris is no different. I believe Ify has been an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024, and I wish her nothing but success for the future!”

Liesbet CORRIVEAU
Marketing & Recruitment Manager (Europe & Africa)
MBA Program, HEC Paris

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2024