Najib Laatiaoui

“Industrial strategist passionate about innovation ecosystems, execution excellence, and human-centered leadership”

Graduation Year: HEC Paris Class of 2025

Current Role: ACC (Automotive Cells Company), Program Technical Manager

Why did you decide to pursue an Executive MBA?

After nearly two decades in R&D and innovation, I wanted to step back and see the bigger picture. Coming from a technical field, I felt I was missing something. My goal was to move from technical leadership to strategic influence, to understand how innovation, finance, and human leadership connect. It was also driven by curiosity and a willingness to meet new people and share diverse perspectives. I joined the EMBA to gain structure, confidence, and a new perspective for the next stage of my career.

What lead you to the HEC Paris EMBA, and how did you know this school and this program was the right fit for you?

HEC Paris stood out for its balance between academic rigor and purpose-driven leadership, while also fitting perfectly with my personal and professional life balance. Its focus on strategy, solid academic foundations, and powerful network make it an incontestable reference in Europe. The combination of strategy, entrepreneurship, and human development matched my evolution from manager to impactful leader. Speaking with alumni confirmed what I sensed: this program does not just teach frameworks; it changes how you think and act.

Which track did you join?

The January 2024 (The Radiants) intake offered the right rhythm between professional transitions and learning, with one intensive week of classes every two months. I joined at a moment when my company was shifting toward industrial scale-up, and it was the perfect time to reflect, learn, and apply strategic thinking immediately.

How did you balance the demands of work, family, and the program while studying?

It required discipline and honesty with myself. I built clear routines and set transparent boundaries with my family and employer. I had to sacrifice several weekends and worked more than I expected before joining the program. The most difficult part was catching up when we came back after a class week. In the meantime, the energy provided by the program, enhanced with new knowledge, was very motivating. It generated enthusiasm to work, and my colleagues were very supportive and curious about what I learned. I discovered resources in myself that I did not know I had. My motivation and the group dynamic acted as a catalyst to stay organized and focused. Exchanges with my classmates about how they managed their own challenges helped me understand where to set boundaries and how to stay motivated.

How did you tailor your learning experience?

I had three goals during my learning journey. First, to explore fields I was not comfortable with and had not studied in engineering school but discovered through experience, such as strategy, finance, and marketing. Second, to explore novelty through entrepreneurship and AI, which became my specialization. Third, to immerse myself in a new ecosystem by participating in the GNAM week in Berlin focused on innovation and deployment strategy, where the AI specialization in Paris and Toronto offered many visits and networking opportunities. I used my Capstone to explore a new venture, creating a consulting firm helping industrial SMEs shift from subcontracting to strategic autonomy.

What’s a standout memory from your time at HEC Paris?

It is a very difficult question and it is almost impossible to choose only one. Even if it is not fair, I will pick two moments.

The first is the leadership classes. As someone deeply connected to people, the purposeful leadership approach felt obvious and helped me put words on what I had always felt intuitively. It was a moment of alignment between my values and my leadership style.

The second memory is less spectacular but very meaningful to me. At the start of each new class, it was a pleasure to meet again all my classmates from around the world. It felt like seeing old friends at a summer camp while also sharing the new challenges we were facing in our respective companies since the previous sessions. We were sharing so much that each reunion felt like a natural continuation, a professional and personal update that kept us connected and inspired.

What are some of the biggest takeaways you gained from the experience?

The EMBA sharpened my ability to design strategy, navigate uncertainty, and influence stakeholders from a multi-parameter perspective that integrates strategy, finance, politics, and leadership, with a 360° company point of view. It also encouraged me to act through concrete, real-life action plans. More generally, it gave me greater confidence in my decisions and vision. Above all, it helped me transition from execution to strategic transformation, learning how to drive change with a broader, long-term perspective. This experience gave me a new ambition: to aim high while progressing step by step, supported by robust methodologies.

How has the program helped you grow personally or professionally since graduating?

It transformed my professional outlook. I am now leading transformation initiatives and preparing the launch of BENDS Consulting, a venture born from my Capstone project and shaped by the ecosystem I built through the EMBA. Its purpose is to help industrial SMEs innovate strategically, create value, and gain autonomy in a rapidly changing market. Thanks to the case studies and class discussions, it felt like gaining ten years of experience in just eighteen months. Personally, I have grown into a more reflective and intentional leader, one who acts with purpose, not just urgency. I have gained greater confidence in trusting myself, making decisions, and seizing opportunities with clarity and conviction.

Is this the role you envisioned yourself when you entered the program?

Partly. At first, I was considering a vertical pivot into a director role or a move into a related field. However, the EMBA broadened my ambitions and changed my perspective. The EMBA at HEC offers new perspectives and expands the range of what is possible. It also allowed me to consider other fields and explore new areas of interest. Thanks to the diversity of my classmates’ backgrounds, we could explore far beyond our initial expertise, supporting each other in discovering new professional paths. I now see myself as a connector, bridging industry, consulting, and innovation ecosystems to create long-term impact.

What advice would you share with someone thinking about pursuing an Executive MBA?

Get involved as much as possible. The journey may feel long at times, and the workload can be demanding, but time passes quickly. Manage your assignments with discipline and remember to enjoy every step of the experience. Beyond gaining new skills, it is a truly transformative journey that broadens your perspectives, builds a powerful network, and creates lifelong friendships.

© Copyright 2026 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.