Jeanne DE GAYFFIER

China Europe International Business School

“Born in Paris, ventured East – multilingual business navigator bridging China and the West.”

Hometown: Paris, France

Fun fact about yourself: Once, I took two friends on an Iceland trek, underestimated the difficulty, got lost in the wild for 3 days with no signal—surrounded by arctic foxes and seals. It was scary but incredibly beautiful: a humbling reminder of our fragility in nature.

Undergraduate School and Degree: French, German and Chinese Business Law studies took me to the Sorbonne University in Paris, the University of Cologne and the University of Political Sciences and Law in Shanghai.

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Before the MBA, my role was Global Legal Operations and Organization Advisor at Horizons, a SaaS company simplifying onboarding, payroll, and compliance for global teams across 180 countries.

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? Rather than interning, I joined an overseas class module in Ghana, and dedicated time to expand my network, engaging in strategic discussions to better plan my post-MBA career path.

Where will you be working after graduation? I’m the Overseas Channel Development Manager at NFLG (南方路机), leader in innovative material processing and waste treatment solutions, specializing in sustainable recycling technologies.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School: Serving as the role of student representative, I acted as a bridge between students, faculty & administration.
As the VP of the International Club, I worked on celebrating diversity in the school.
As a Student Ambassador, I helped connect CEIBS with the external audience.
I was also CEIBS’ Fellowship and Air Liquide’s Sponsorship recipient.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? It was my determination to learn Mandarin and my perseverance in this long-term journey. I never gave up, knowing that every extra hour spent studying characters and new words would be worth it. In the end, it proved invaluable during my job search, allowing me to show that I can bridge China and the West by communicating effectively with people on both sides.

What achievements are you most proud of in your professional career? Cultivating valuable relationships across industries and regions, especially in China where personal connections play a crucial role in negotiations and partnerships opportunities. Strong relationships help me create confidence in my reliability and expertise, as well as creating support to solve problems when challenges arise.

Why did you choose this business school? CEIBS stood out for its academic excellence and its strong influence in China’s business world. The school serves as a unique platform connecting Chinese and foreign business leaders, young talents, and renowned professors.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Professor Venkat Peddireddy earned my admiration for his passion, approachability, and genuine interest in student development. He made complex topics accessible and encouraged critical thinking. His enthusiasm and dedication created an engaging learning environment, where students felt inspired to explore and ask questions.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite class was Africa’s Economic Growth and Business Opportunities. I appreciated the opportunity to leverage CEIBS’ resources from its African campus in Accra, especially its strong network of thousands of African alumni. Over five days, we alternated between classes and company visits, to understand the key success factors for businesses to succeed in the African environment. The experience was really rich in learnings—culturally and professionally.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? I enjoyed co-organizing informal sharing sessions with my classmates, where anyone could step up and present something they were passionate about. It was a great way to learn and bond with each other and connect on a deeper level, with talks ranging from art and design, epic travel adventures, and personal growth to navigating complex relationships.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? Looking back, I wouldn’t change anything about my MBA experience. Every choice, whether it was a success or a mistake, contributed to my growth. The challenges, unexpected circumstances, and even the moments of uncertainty shaped me in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. It’s been a unique journey where I learned as much from my missteps as I did from my achievements. I truly enjoyed the entire MBA journey and wouldn’t want to change it.

What is the biggest myth about your school? The admissions process is extremely competitive and elitist – While CEIBS seeks high-quality candidates, it values diversity in backgrounds and experiences, and the admissions process is designed to find those who show potential for growth, leadership, and contribution to the community.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? It was Shanghai’s status as an economic hub where East meets West. Its unique energy made it a great place to learn from people coming from all over the world and the countless companies operating there.

What movie or television show (e.g. The Big Short, The Founder, Mad Men, House of Lies) best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? American Factory is particularly relevant when discussing the realities of modern business in a globalized context. The film gives a frank look at the challenges of integrating different work cultures. The clash between Chinese management practices and American work expectations demonstrates the importance of cultural understanding in international business

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? CEIBS proposed lots of conference from experts on AI applications in specific industries relevant to the Chinese market. One key insight from these workshops about AI was how it enhances decision-making by providing data-driven insights, allowing businesses to predict market trends and optimize operations more efficiently. It also highlighted the importance of balancing AI with human judgment, as critical thinking and strategic leadership remain essential in leveraging AI effectively. 

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I admire Fernanda Nunes Mamede Rosa for her openness, her empathy and her leadership.

Her openness is visible in the way she embraces new experiences and challenges. When she moved from São Paulo to Shanghai, she showed remarkable determination and a willingness to step out of her comfort zone with confidence, adapting easily to a new environment.

Her empathy translates into amazing people skills. She genuinely cares about others, always maintaining a positive and collaborative atmosphere.

Her leadership was on full display when she took on the responsibility of organizing the Women’s Leadership Forum. She led with confidence, demonstrating the ability to be assertive when necessary while empowering others to strive for excellence as a team.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? I want to lead a diverse team on a high-impact global initiative, from strategy development to execution.

To empower others to set ambitious goals and take on meaningful challenges.

What made Jeanne such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?

“As the class coordinator for the MBA2025 batch and someone who knows Jeanne exceptionally well, I am delighted to strongly recommend her for Poets & Quants’ “MBAs To Watch” honor.

Jeanne first caught my attention even before we met in person, thanks to a line in her bio: “Passionate about exploring and preserving ecosystems devoid of human presence, she has completed several 7-day self-sufficient treks in the wilds of Iceland, Norway, and Russia.” When I eventually met her during the Section Representative interview, her open-mindedness and passion confirmed that she was exactly the kind of leader we were looking for.

As a Section Representative, Jeanne has been outstanding, dedicating significant time and effort to fostering a strong sense of class culture and unity. She has played a key role in organizing various internal and cross-section activities, earning high praise from both her classmates and the MBA office for her exemplary contributions. Through her involvement in marketing and school-wide events, Jeanne has consistently demonstrated maturity, creativity, and leadership.

In the classroom, Jeanne embodies the qualities of an ideal student—knowledgeable yet eager to learn, articulate yet thoughtful, confident yet humble. Her insightful comments, observations, and questions have greatly enriched class discussions. She is both a deep thinker and a clear communicator.

Beyond her remarkable academic performance at CEIBS, Jeanne’s impressive educational and professional background reflects the high standards of our institution.

I am confident that Jeanne will continue to excel in her future endeavors and make valuable contributions as a CEIBS alumna.”

Jia Wang
Class Coordinator

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2025

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