Asaf Hadar

HEC Paris

“Happily married, curious about people, ideas and places, global backpacker, jazz drummer and basketball lover.”

Hometown: Tel Aviv, Israel

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’ve been playing jazz drums since I was eight years old. I’ve performed in a variety of ensembles, where I learned the art of improvisation, the power of active listening, and the importance of keeping rhythm, both in music and in life.

Undergraduate School and Major: Sapir Academic College, School of Law

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: EBN – Erdinast, Ben Nathan, Toledano (Law Firm), Corporate and M&A Associate

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? The Finance specialization and Finance Club were my key motivators in choosing HEC Paris MBA. Over the past four years, I’ve worked as a lawyer on complex, high-profile M&A transactions, both in the high-tech and in conventional industries sectors. It was an experience that sparked my passion for deal-making. The Finance specialization offers rigorous academic training, while the Finance Club provides a dynamic platform to connect with like-minded peers and apply practical insights. Together, they create the ideal environment to accelerate my transition from law to finance and prepare me for a successful career in investment banking or consulting.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at HEC Paris? To me, HEC Innovation Hub’s partnership with Station F, the world’s largest startup campus, excites me the most. I believe that innovation is essential to our shared future. Therefore, this collaboration offers unique opportunities to access cutting-edge startups, entrepreneurial resources, and a vibrant community of innovators.

HEC Paris is just 17 kilometers from Paris. What do you see as the best part of earning your MBA so close to Paris?  Living in Paris will be a dream come true. The city’s culture, history, and energy are sure to be a constant source of inspiration. It also made it easy for my wife and me to embrace this adventure together, both personally and professionally.

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? I chose the HEC Paris MBA because it provides the perfect balance. As I come from the legal profession, I felt I needed sufficient time to deepen my knowledge in finance and corporate strategy. It also allows me to build deep and meaningful relationships with my classmates.

Based on conversations with professionals, I came to appreciate fully the global reputation and impact of HEC Paris in the business world. These discussions highlighted the school’s strong alumni network, rigorous academic standards, and its ability to open doors to top-tier international opportunities, all of which I deeply value.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: One of my most significant accomplishments was founding and leading a youth center in an underserved community during a year-long voluntary program. At 18, with limited resources and no prior management experience, I secured the trust and support of the local community and authorities. This, in turn, enabled me and my team to develop a holistic program combining academic support and leadership activities tailored to immigrant youth who faced cultural and economic challenges. This experience taught me valuable lessons in leadership, fundraising, resilience, and collaboration.

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? A defining experience in my life was volunteering in a remote Nepalese village. I lived with a local family and helped to assess the community’s needs. Immersed in an unfamiliar culture, I had to navigate without formal authority, adapt quickly, and communicate across deep cultural differences. I learned to respect norms different from my own and find common ground with all parties involved. This experience sharpened my ability to manage ambiguity, build relationships under challenging conditions, and stay focused on long-term goals. All these are essential for success both in business school and in my professional career.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? I hope to complement my existing skills with pertinent knowledge and experience that I know that I can acquire at HEC Paris MBA. Looking ahead two years, I will consider my MBA experience a success if it leads me to become a valued team member at an investment bank, consulting firm, or other financial institution in Europe. Just as important, I hope to build lasting friendships with peers from diverse backgrounds, connections that will continue to enrich me both personally and professionally well beyond graduation.

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