Meghna Gandhi

HEC Paris

“Passionate problem-solver and empathetic leader with a strong finance foundation and creative mindset.”

Hometown: Delhi, India

Fun Fact About Yourself: I represented India at the United Nations headquarters in New York as a youth delegate for the ‘Youth for Human Rights Summit’ and was one of the few selected to address global dignitaries on Education as a fundamental human right. I collaborated with representatives from 41 countries to promote human rights through targeted initiatives that were monumental in raising awareness in our respective geographies

Undergraduate School and Major: Chartered Accountant, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Executive, Finance Management – Macquarie Group

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?  One of the key factors that led me to choose HEC Paris was its specialization in Strategic Marketing, particularly as I aspire for a career in luxury and retail sectors. The specialization’s blend of consumer behavior analysis, digital transformation in retail, and innovative marketing strategies is perfectly tailored to my interests. What truly excites me about HEC Paris is the opportunity to apply classroom learning to live projects and case studies with leading luxury brands. The school’s strong connections with luxury and retail giants, along with its location in Paris (the heart of the luxury world), offer unmatched opportunities to network and collaborate with industry leaders.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at HEC Paris?  I am particularly excited about joining the Luxury and Retail club at HEC and organizing in the MBAT.

The Luxury and Retail Club at HEC Paris is by far the club that excites me the most. This club offers a unique opportunity to immerse myself in the luxury and retail industries through a blend of networking events, industry talks, and hands-on experiences with leading global brands. As someone passionate about pursuing a career in luxury marketing, I’m eager to join the club and learn from fellow students, industry experts, and alumni who share my interests.

Also, organizing the MBA Tournament stands out as an incredible opportunity. This is one of the most highly-anticipated events at HEC Paris, where students from top business schools around the world come together for three days of sports, networking, and team-building. Being involved in organizing such a large-scale event would not only allow me to hone my leadership and project management skills, but also connect with a diverse network of talented individuals across various disciplines. My extensive experience in event planning equips me to host the three-day event as an active member of the organization committee.

HEC Paris is just 17 kilometers from Paris. What do you see as the best part of earning your MBA so close to Paris? Paris is a global hub for luxury and retail. Being so close to the city allows me to tap directly into the heart of the industry, which is essential for someone like me who is looking to build a career in luxury marketing. The ability to network with industry leaders, attend exclusive events, and gain firsthand experience by collaborating with top-tier luxury brands in the Parisian market is an invaluable advantage. Paris offers a rich ecosystem of fashion houses, design agencies, and global retail giants, making it the ideal environment to develop a nuanced understanding of this sector.

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?  One year is too short to get fully immersed in an MBA. The 16-month duration is the perfect length to allow you to reshape your perspectives and explore new opportunities and skills without having to stay out of the workforce for too long.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: At Macquarie, I was responsible for risk management and monitoring of 3,500+ dormant trade books. This is a pivotal control to prevent the risk of unauthorized trades across various business lines in Commodity & Global markets business, including Equities and Derivative trading, Commodities, Financial markets and Asset Finance. I exceeded the year’s targeted closures by an unprecedented 50% directly contributing to the cyclical release of €400mn+ capital across 25+ currencies for reinvestment to alternate trading strategies.

What has been the defining experience in your life? How has it prepared you for the rigors of business school and your career in general? From an early age, I witnessed my relatives urging my parents to bear a son to secure their financial future because a girl’s ultimate life goal, as they would describe it, is to get married and raise a family. This left a burning desire in me to break through these societal constraints. I have since devoted my life in pursuit of inspiring young women to aspire for financial independence by leveraging education. I am very passionate about women-centric issues, specifically education, and it is my purpose and source of motivation. I have continuously partnered with local government and not-for-profits to promote primary education in underprivileged communities.

I have also kept my own education at the forefront all my life, earning academic accolades throughout my school years, subsequently achieving the prestigious CA qualification (along with currently pursuing this MBA). Being a woman, I was always expected to manage household responsibilities along with my studies and subsequently my profession. This has enabled me to develop a knack for multi-tasking and taking on a heavy work load while also engaging in creative pursuits. I think these qualities will help me tremendously in managing my MBA workload and progress further in my career.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? Success for me would start with gaining a deep, practical understanding of strategic marketing in the luxury and retail sectors. I want to emerge from the program with the skills to lead brand strategy, drive digital transformations, and create exceptional consumer experiences for high-end brands. I consider building a strong network, both with my peers and alumni, an essential part of success. In two years, I would love to have developed long-term, meaningful relationships that will support me throughout my career. Success for me would also mean securing a position with a renowned luxury brand or retail company post-MBA, ideally in a strategic marketing or brand management role. I want to leverage the knowledge, network, and hands-on experience I gain at HEC Paris to transition into the luxury industry at a leadership level.

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