Riley Ettinger

HEC Paris

“Jack-of-all-trades, working towards mastering a couple.”

Hometown: Grew up in Austin, Minnesota. Currently live in New York, New York.

Fun Fact About Yourself: I once finished second in Mr. Austin, a fundraiser pageant where I did a four-minute dance solo as my talent.

Undergraduate School and Major: I went to the University of Minnesota for undergrad and was a Business Management Major. Then I went to Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles for a Master of Fine Arts in Writing and Producing for Television.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Lionsgate Television, Creative Development

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? There were a lot of things that drew me to HEC, but the one that stood out was their focus on community-based leadership. It’s imperative that our next generation of leaders consider the greater good of society when they are faced with important decisions. With HEC’s “head, heads, and heart” framework for their leadership curriculum, I feel like I’m in a good place to develop into the collaborative, compassionate, conscientious leader I strive to be.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at HEC Paris? I can’t wait to be a part of the MBA Tournament. It combines three of my favorite things: event planning, sports and meeting new people. I’ve hosted smaller versions of multi-sport competitions for my friends and would love to get involved in planning an event of this scale. As a lifelong long athlete who participated in many different sports over the years, I’m excited to let my competitive side out to play, then to put that side away for a friendly gala in the evening.

HEC Paris is just 17 kilometers from Paris. What do you see as the best part of earning your MBA so close to Paris? Growing up in a small rural town in the middle of the United States, I’ve always had a desire to experience a broader world. I went to a large public university for undergrad, then moved across the country twice between Los Angeles and New York. I still have the desire to keep growing and living outside of my country was the next logical step. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Paris and I fell in love with the culture, the energy of the city. It felt like a natural fit from my first night in town. I’d also be remiss not to mention the proximity to the best wines in the world – give me all the Cabs and Merlots from Bordeaux, the Pinots from Burgundy and the Syrahs from Rhone.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2026? My creative background is the unique quality that will enable me to contribute to my class. I spent years bouncing big ideas off my peers and colleagues, brainstorming new ways to tell familiar stories, and pitching the perfect punchline to end a scene. I hope to bring this imaginative thinking to the practical, real-world issues businesses face and provide out-of-the-box solutions that may not come to mind for someone without a creative background.

Why did you choose a 16-month program over a one-year program? How do you see a HEC Paris MBA giving you an advantage in the marketplace? For me, the 16-month program at HEC was the perfect fit. Since I’m trying to make a career switch, a one-year program would be too rushed. I wanted to ensure I’d have time to do an internship while also focusing on my classwork and networking with my peers. On the flip side, as someone who would likely qualify as a geriatric MBA candidate, two years is a long time to be out of the workforce. 16 months feels like the goldilocks option. The advantage of an MBA from HEC would provide would start with their extensive international network. As someone who is open to working in cities around the world, having access to a truly global network is an incredible asset.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest career accomplishment so far was writing an episode of the ABC television sitcom, The Kids Are Alright. When I decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue a career in television, my number one goal was to get hired to write something. I knew success in the entertainment industry wouldn’t be easy; I had no connections or experience when I first arrived. However, through networking and hard work, I was able to get my foot in the door. Eventually, I was rewarded with the opportunity to co-write an episode. It’s titled “Mass for Shut-Ins”, was directed by Lea Thompson, and is still available to stream on Apple and Amazon! I’m proud to have contributed something to culture that millions of people have watched.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE HEC PARIS MBA CLASS OF 2026