Luis Dominguez Guillot

HEC Paris

“A global soul fueled by empathy, chasing intentional balance and authentic representation in every room.”

Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico

Fun fact about yourself: I speak Spanish, English, and French, but after a long day of MBA classes, I often find myself speaking a hybrid of all three and simply hoping to be understood.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Universidad Panamericana (Mexico City Campus), B.S. Management & International Business

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? EY – Ventures & Innovation Consultant – Based out of Boston, MA (USA)

Where did you intern during the summer of 2025? Eli Lilly – Sydney, NSW, Australia – Role: cMBA Summer Internship: Specialized Project Manager – Oncology

Where will you be working after graduation? Eli Lilly – Sydney, NSW, Australia – Role: National Access Manager

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

Vice President, LGBTQ+ Club & Award-Winning Ambassador: I focused on bridging the gap between advocacy and the board room, most notably by partnering with global leaders like Eli Lilly to host high-stakes conversations on D&I in today’s business climate. Beyond typical advocacy, I was one of only two students to receive the Best Club Ambassador award during my first term, a recognition nominated by peers and selected by the Student Council for driving engagement and visibility for our community. I also represented HEC Paris at LBS’ EUROUT business conference two years in a row.

Vice President, Industry Club: Acted as a bridge between the MBA cohort and industry & manufacturing sectors, specifically mobility and automotive, facilitating networking, insights and identifying career opportunities and partnerships with companies form such sectors.

Healthcare Club Ambassador: Acted as a bridge between the MBA cohort and the healthcare sector, facilitating networking and insights into the future of global health.

MBA Student Ambassador & Brand Face: I was a primary “vibe-checker” for HEC, featured in school advertisements, leading campus tours, hosting one-on-ones, and joining webinars to give prospective students a transparent look at the MBA journey.

Guardian Angel: Served in a vital peer-support role, maintaining a safe and inclusive environment by providing a first point of contact and guidance regarding sexual and gender-based violence on campus.

Dean’s List: Maintained a 3.8 GPA while juggling these leadership roles and a global travel schedule.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am most proud of being selected by HEC Paris to represent the school in a Financial Times feature analyzing the shifting landscape of global MBA demand. The article explored a major trend: why international students are increasingly choosing European programs over the U.S. due to political polarization and restrictive immigration policies. Being the voice for this story was a huge responsibility. I was able to speak transparently about how the current climate in the U.S. impacts the sense of belonging for international students—especially those from the LGBTQ+ community.

While the article was a business analysis, for me, it was also a deeply personal milestone. It served as my “coming out” on a global stage. When I applied to HEC, I set a goal to become an openly LGBTQ+ leader, and there is no more definitive way to do that than in the FT. It required a level of courage I didn’t know I had, but the ripple effect made it worth it. Having peers and prospective students reach out to say that my visibility gave them the confidence to pursue their own global ambitions confirmed that leading with authenticity is the most impactful thing I can do.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I am most proud of my summer internship with Eli Lilly in Australia. Here, I designed a go-to-market framework for their Oncology business unit to help the business anticipate capabilities to be developed as well as innovation readiness for the future of the affiliate. The challenge was massive: I had only six weeks to move to a new continent and provide a roadmap for a portfolio set to expand from main focus on a single product to over ten launches by 2030. Early on, I felt the “imposter syndrome” creep in: how could I, a consultant without a medical background, tell global leaders how to launch complex oncology drugs? I overcame this by leaning into curiosity and saw my consulting roots at EY coming to shine. I conducted interviews with over 40 stakeholders across Lilly affiliates on four different continents to “connect the dots” on global best practices.

Instead of a static plan, I developed a sophisticated framework that modeled market opportunities for every incoming molecule and allowed a portfolio view (that was previously inexistent) to weigh the market opportunity for the entire Business Unit. I projected a strategy where revenue was targeted to grow by 300% compared to 2025 levels. While the team was projected to grow by over 100%, my model meticulously calculated a staffing simulation that increased the return on investment for every full-time employee. I wanted to ensure the business grew sustainably, avoiding the risk of future layoffs. The framework was adopted by the Australian leadership team as their standard for future decision-making, and I was the only intern to receive a full-time offer, returning as a National Access Manager. Achieving this impact proved my agility in turning complex data into strategy, but more importantly, it reinforced my desire for a career with meaning. In healthcare, a “positive result” isn’t just a sales figure; it means patients and their loved ones gain access to treatments that can save or significantly improve their live

Why did you choose this business school? I chose HEC Paris because I wanted to be in a place where being “international” wasn’t a sub-section of the class, but the entire identity of the program. Coming from Mexico and working in the U.S., I was looking for a truly global hub to bridge the next phase of my career. HEC’s 95% international cohort, representing over 50 nationalities, offered a level of multicultural diversity that you just don’t find in most programs. It wasn’t just about the stats on a brochure; it was about the fact that this is a tight-knit community where we aren’t just classmates, but neighbors living together on campus.

That proximity creates a “living laboratory” where you’re forced to navigate different cultural perspectives every single day, whether in a high-stakes group project or a casual dinner. I also specifically wanted to push myself to become a trilingual leader, and being immersed in the French environment while working in English and Spanish gave me that edge. HEC provided the perfect “neutral ground” to build a borderless career, proving that if you can lead effectively in a community this diverse, you can lead anywhere in the world.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? I find Professor Gonçalo Pacheco de Almeida as my favorite no doubt. I went into Professor Gonçalo Pacheco de Almeida’s strategy and negotiation classes with high expectations given his resume, but I walked away with a completely redefined perspective on leadership. In the MBA world, there’s often a misconception that “toughness” or “cold-calling” is the only way to command a room. Gonçalo completely flips that script. He is the “nice guy” who commands absolute respect not through fear, but through an incredible level of personalized attention and genuine care for his students.

Despite the typical scale of MBA classrooms, Gonçalo makes the experience feel bespoke. He dedicates an immense amount of time to individual feedback and group dynamics, ensuring that the learning isn’t just about a grade, but about the actual quality of the interaction. One of the most impactful lessons he taught was looking at strategic innovation through the lens of substitute products and offerings, challenging us to find value by analyzing the trade-offs and traits that truly resonate with customers. Because he treated us like peers and invested so much of his own humanity into the course, he sparked an intrinsic interest in the subject matter that I’ve rarely seen elsewhere. He proved to me that a human-centric approach, rooted in kindness and detail, actually leads to the best results in the most competitive environments.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? While the classroom provided the theory, HEC’s Outdoor Leadership Seminar provided the soul of my MBA experience. In an era where anyone can read a strategy book or watch a lecture online, this seminar represents the true value of a top MBA education: learning that is impossible to replicate through a screen. For two days, we were pulled out of our comfort zones and placed into high-pressure, military-led simulations where the ROI of the MBA became tangible. You quickly realize that leadership isn’t a framework you memorize; it’s a skill you practice when you’re tired, muddy, and responsible for a team’s success under the watchful eye of military mentors.

The most profound “aha” moment for me was learning to reclaim authority without sacrificing my human-centric values. During a mission where the stakes felt high, I faced the challenge of peers trying to “take the wheel” while I was the designated leader. Drawing on my consulting background, where you must maintain credibility even in uncertain environments, I realized I didn’t need to be harsh to lead. By staying calm and projecting a quiet, persistent confidence, I was able to influence the group back to our goal. This experience confirmed why I invested in an MBA at HEC: not just for the degree, but for the rare, bespoke moments that build the kind of emotional intelligence and resilience that I will carry into every high-stakes boardroom for the rest of my career.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? My favorite tradition was hosting the MBAT (the MBA Tournament), essentially the “MBA Olympics.” There is an indescribable pride in seeing 1,500 students from top European schools arrive on your campus, only to realize they’ve entered a fortress of HEC spirit. I will never forget screaming “H-E-C!” at the top of my lungs alongside classmates from every corner of the globe during the basketball final against LBS. In that moment, it didn’t matter where we came from; we were one team. Whether it was watching our dance team win gold with a brilliant fusion of Mexican, Korean, and Indian styles, or cheering in the stands, the MBAT reflected the true soul of our school: a community that is fiercely competitive yet deeply inclusive.

On a personal level, competing in the trail running race was a milestone. Balancing a rigorous MBA with physical training is a challenge, but it taught me a vital life lesson: success isn’t just about the boardroom or the library; it’s about maintaining the physical and emotional health to perform at your peak. Although I was up against some incredibly “pro” athletes from across Europe, I pushed myself further than I thought possible, ultimately finishing first among the HEC competitors. The MBAT proved that HEC isn’t just a place where we learn to lead; it’s a place where we learn to live with balance, passion, and an unbreakable sense of belonging.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Many people hear “HEC Paris” and expect a typical urban MBA experience, but I intentionally chose the school for its “campus bubble” in the peaceful, wooded outskirts of Jouy-en-Josas. Most of us lived on-site, which created a unique, purposeful intimacy. Because we were taking a collective breath from our high-pressure careers and weren’t constantly distracted by the noise of a major city, we spent our time truly getting to know one another.

My favorite memories aren’t from fancy galas, but from those 2:00 AM conversations over a bottle of wine in our campus dorms, surrounded by peers from twenty different nationalities. We were close enough to Paris that a quick RER ride could land us in a world-class bistro or museum, but far enough away that the “heart” of our MBA stayed on campus. It was the best of both worlds: the quiet of the lake and the woods to decompress, and the vibrant energy of Paris always within reach.

What business leader do you admire most? I have always been inspired by Paul Polman, the former CEO of Unilever. In a world of short-term quarterly pressures, Polman had the courage to overhaul the strategy of a global giant to prioritize long-term sustainability and social impact. He famously did away with quarterly reporting to insulate the company from short-term investor demands, proving that a massive public corporation could—and should—be a force for good. What I admire most is that he didn’t just talk about ethics; he delivered results. During his tenure, he proved that a company can significantly increase its shareholder return while simultaneously reducing its environmental footprint and improving the lives of millions. He represents the kind of bold, principled leadership the world needs: someone who understands that profit and purpose are not in conflict, but are actually fuel for one another.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? I chose HEC Paris partly because of its forward-thinking stance on AI; I wasn’t interested in an MBA that shied away from the technology of the future. HEC treated AI like the “new Excel”—a tool that is here to stay and essential for any modern leader. In several of our courses, professors didn’t just allow AI; they required us to submit our “conversation logs” with the models to demonstrate our prompting process. The goal was to prove we weren’t just taking the first answer provided, but were actively challenging the AI, iterating on its outputs, and combining its computational power with our own human judgment. This approach taught me that the true value of AI isn’t in replacing human effort, but in acting as a “strategic sparring partner” that allows us to reach higher-level insights faster.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I most admire Ana Hernandez. Coming from a top strategy consulting firm in Mexico, Ana arrived at HEC Paris with a resume more advanced than most, yet her journey was defined by an incredible sense of responsibility and integrity. Before the MBA, she faced the profound loss of her father and stepped up as the primary financial support for her family. Maintaining that level of commitment while navigating a rigorous international MBA is a feat of resilience I deeply respect.

Ana didn’t use the MBA to chase the “easy” path of high-status roles; she used it to align her career with her deepest values in sustainability and ethics. As the leader of the Sustainability Club, she turned it into a powerhouse of impact on campus. Watching her turn down traditional opportunities to secure a highly competitive ESG-focused role in Europe proved to me that you don’t have to trade your values for success. Beyond her brilliance, I witnessed her find a beautiful balance between her intense ambition and a genuine appreciation for well-being. Ana inspired us not just to be better students, but to be more authentic, grounded leaders who lead with both their heads and their hearts.

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

Redefining Executive Balance: Having started my career in the high-intensity world of consulting, my goal is to reach the executive level while proving that peak professional performance doesn’t require compromising work-life balance. I want to lead by example, being a present family member and prioritizing mental health, to show my future teams that sustainable leadership is the only way to achieve long-term excellence without burnout.

Visible LGBTQ+ Executive Representation: I want to reach a C-suite position where I am not just “out,” but actively outspoken and visible in the global business media. I want to be the leader that a young LGBTQ+ professional sees and thinks, “I can do it because he did it.” My goal is to use my platform to inspire the next generation to lead with their full, authentic identities and to know that their sexuality is a strength, not a barrier, to reaching the top.

What made Luis such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2026?

“I am delighted to enthusiastically nominate Luis Dominguez for the 2026 Poets&Quants’ “Best & Brightest MBA” recognition list. During his time at HEC, Luis has distinguished himself not only through outstanding academic performance (GPA 3.8), but also through meaningful, values-driven leadership within the HEC MBA community. As Vice President of the LGBTQ Club, he has been a visible and thoughtful advocate for diversity and inclusion, strengthening our culture of belonging in ways that align deeply with HEC’s commitment to diversity and responsibility. Moreover, his advocacy in this club has not just been social, but very much focused on business outcomes. For example, in partnership with Eli Lilly (one of our key MBA recruiters), Luis helped organize a flagship Diversity & Inclusion-themed event that brought students together with senior leadership, including Eli Lilly’s CMO for Germany with the school’s top administrators, for a thoughtful and provocative conversation about the challenges and promises of a diverse workforce in today’s highly polarized world. The event was both symbolically powerful and practically impactful, reinforcing ties between our students and a major global employer. Additionally, Luis has served as a Guardian Angel to support fellow students and as a student ambassador in MBA recruitment, consistently investing time and energy to elevate the HEC community.

Luis’ passions are rooted in deep lived experiences, which lend credibility and authenticity to his leadership. Having lived in Mexico, France, and the United States prior to the MBA—and now adding Australia and Thailand as a result of his MBA experiences —he embodies the global spirit that sets the HEC MBA program apart. To this end, his impact extends well beyond campus: he was featured in the Financial Times, highlighting his HEC journey, enhancing the school’s international visibility, and taking a courageous stand for his advocacy positions. Professionally, Luis secured a highly competitive internship with Eli Lilly in Sydney as a Specialized Project Manager and, to the surprise of no one here at HEC, earned a full-time offer with them shortly thereafter. In my opinion, he represents the rare combination of intellectual rigor, passionate advocacy, and principled ambition that Poets&Quants seeks to celebrate. If it isn’t clear already, I strongly and wholeheartedly endorse him for this recognition.”

Brad Harris
HEC Paris – Associate Dean, MBA/EMBA Programs
Vice Dean, TRIUM Global EMBA

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