Pauline Henry

HEC Paris

“Gritty and enthusiastic leader, with a passion for people, challenges, and innovation.”

Hometown: Paris, France

Fun fact about yourself: With a violinist dad in the Paris orchestra, I learned to play violin before I could read and write. Although it wasn’t a career meant for me, I was privileged enough to perform on the stage of the Theatre des Champs Elysees! My true passion, however, is singing and a highlight of my MBA was belting out “Highway to Hell” alongside a band formed with classmates at our annual talent show.

Undergraduate School and Degree:

CNED (National Centre for Distance Learning, France)

Professional Diploma in Hospitality Management (BTS Hôtellerie-Restauration)

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? PPHE Hotel Group

Over my eight years with the company, I ascended through five distinct roles across three different hotels in London, ultimately achieving the position of Hotel Manager at a 212-bedroom, a four-star establishment.

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023?

As a member of the January intake, I strategically chose to focus on acclimating to the program to maximize its benefits. During the summer break, I took the opportunity to travel, spend quality time with family and friends, and prepare for the forthcoming months as the newly-appointed President of the Women in Leadership Club.

Where will you be working after graduation? Undecided. My top priority is working with a company that fosters continuous learning and growth within a collaborative setting and fast-paced environment.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• HEC MBA Excellence Scholarship
• MBA Leadership Award Class of 2024: One of 15 recipients nominated by 240 peers.
• Women in Leadership Club President: Led a team of 5 VPs, 7 directors, 4 advisors and 3 ambassadors for the 275-member club.
• MBAT Director of Hospitality: Collaborated in organizing a three-day event for 1,500 attendees from 15+ top business schools.
• HEC MBA Program Ambassador: Supported 10+ prospective students in the application process.
• HEC Consulting Practice Club Advisor and Consultant: Formulated a market entry strategy for an Indian packaging company seeking to expand into the European market.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? One of my proudest achievements was my tenure as President of the Women in Leadership (WIL) Club, particularly the introduction of impactful initiatives aimed at supporting and empowering current and incoming students.

One initiative was inspired by my own experience. I did not think of getting a haircut just before arriving on campus, which might seem trivial, but caught up in the whirlwind start of the program I quickly realized how those small personal care tasks became luxuries I couldn’t find time for. This sparked the idea to share such practical, yet easily overlooked, advice – and inspired the virtual welcome meeting for incoming women. We created an intimate and safe space for sharing current student’s tips about preparing for the program in the weeks prior.

In line with our pillar of fostering allyship, I am also proud to have organized the first-ever outdoor movie screening by the picturesque campus lake. This event, which was open to all, featured a film centered on gender equality to stimulate discussion and awareness among all students. By creating a fun and attractive setting, we successfully engaged a diverse audience, with men making up 50% of the attendees.

These initiatives not only helped ease the transition for new students but also strengthened our community’s cohesion, making it a more supportive and inclusive environment for everyone.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? The professional achievement I am most proud of is my transformative journey from waitress to hotel manager. At 21, unsure of my path, I moved to London and joined the hospitality industry as a waitress. There, I discovered my passion for the dynamic, pressure-driven environment of hospitality. Driven by a desire to progress, I navigated my way up to hotel manager, completing a professional diploma in hospitality management while working full-time.

Leading my team through the pandemic was perhaps the most challenging yet rewarding part of my journey, requiring agility and adaptability as I navigated ever changing external conditions and regulations. I am proud that, through this uncertain period, I could leverage my resilience and drive a shared commitment to go above and beyond. We maintained a healthy occupancy rate with a reduced team, outperforming our competitors in customer satisfaction while securing a strong bottom line.

Why did you choose this business school? Choosing HEC Paris was influenced by a blend of long-held aspiration and practical considerations. As a French citizen, I’ve always admired HEC as the top choice for business education. I also felt the need to be closer to my family after spending 15 years away, and particularly as I knew I would likely be moving abroad again after graduation. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to spend precious time with my loved ones, especially my grandparents who can no longer travel.

The decisive factor in my choice was the incredibly warm interactions I had with alumni. They embodied the type of community I wished to join for an MBA program: supportive, engaging, and genuinely caring. It confirmed to me that the community of HEC Paris is one where members truly look out for each other, where kindness isn’t just a value but a constant element of daily interaction, fostering personal growth and meaningful connections.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Professor Anne-Laure Sellier, with whom I took a short marketing elective on decision-making and influence, stands out as the embodiment of who I aspire to become. Not only is she a brilliant woman with an incredibly impressive career journey, but she also dedicates herself to helping others achieve their ambitions. Her lessons were not just educational, they were captivating and deeply connected to the real world. She had a unique way of encouraging us to delve deeper than appearances, urging us to question contexts and critically analyse data for more informed decisions.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? In my strategy specialization, I had the privilege to take the “Business Model Innovation: Odyssey 3.14 Approach” course with Professor Laurence Lehmann-Ortega, who co-authored this framework. This course stands out for its practical application of strategy, innovation, and creativity across any industry, along with the hands-on application of its concepts, significantly enriched my strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities. A key takeaway was mastering the identification of pain points and the construction of value curves, clearly highlighting paths to add unprecedented value to market offerings. This left a profound impact on how I approach business innovation. As I aim to launch my own company in the future, the insights and methodologies gained from this course will be crucial in crafting a solid business model for my entrepreneurial venture.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? My favorite MBA event was the MBAT, an annual tournament hosted by HEC and attracting over 1,500 students from more than 15 leading business schools globally. Right from my application to the HEC MBA program I had hoped to become part of the MBAT organizing team, and I was thrilled to be selected for it. The three-day event itself, featuring sports competitions by day and entertainment like a dance contest and a battle of the bands by night, is a brilliant platform for connecting with students from other MBA programs. My best memory was witnessing the first-ever MBAT rope pull, in which even the Deans participated. The cheering from the supporting crowds and adrenaline rush were unlike anything I’d experienced!

In my role as Hospitality Director, I am proud to have successfully managed logistics and accommodations for over 1,000 visiting participants, ensuring everything ran smoothly. It was heart-warming to witness the unity of HEC MBA students volunteering and coming together in support during the event; our efforts last year were so well-received that we’re anticipating even more attendees this year. This time, however, I’ll be experiencing MBAT from a different perspective. I am currently training in hopes of joining the badminton team.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? If there’s one adjustment I’d make to my MBA journey, it would be to practice more self-kindness, particularly during the first months. With a multitude of activities, from club events and dinners with classmates to rigorous study sessions, I succeeded academically and forged meaningful friendships. Yet, I frequently harboured the notion that I could be doing even more. The early mornings and late nights dedicated to my ambitions are moments I wouldn’t change, but I do wish I had recognized earlier the extent to which I was truly leveraging many aspects of the MBA experience. The time really does fly by, and cherishing each step of the journey is so important.

What is the biggest myth about your school? Although the official name of the school is HEC Paris, it’s often humorously referred to as “HEC almost Paris.” It’s not quite as close to the city center as one might expect, but this is more than compensated for by the stunning natural surroundings of the campus. I also believe that living together in a somewhat secluded location played a significant role in fostering deeper connections among the students.

What surprised you the most about business school? The diversity at HEC MBA was a highlight right from the start, yet it still managed to surprise me, exceeding my expectations. Everyone was so open and eager to share their experiences, and the lessons I learned from my classmates were just as valuable as those from the lectures themselves. Our courses were enriched by everyone bringing their own personal experiences into the mix, which made for a much more dynamic and engaging learning environment.

The way students with expertise in certain areas like accounting or financial markets stepped up to hold review sessions for those of us less familiar was truly special. The competition was about each of us striving to be the best versions of ourselves rather than vying against one another, fostering a truly supportive and collaborative spirit.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? One classmate I deeply admire is Rafael Damar Arjanggi, not just for his brilliant mind but also his remarkable resilience and spirit. Just three months into our MBA, he faced a severe health challenge, yet he never let it deter him from his studies nor from his participation in extracurricular activities. Impressively, his team made it to the finals of the Global Case Competition at Harvard University in 2023, securing a place among the top 10 out of over 100 teams worldwide.

He didn’t stop there. With 4 years of experience in management consulting, he took over the presidency of the Consulting Practice Club, where I served as a consultant on a real-life project. His ability to work with both speed and precision, paying close attention to detail, was nothing short of impressive especially under the circumstances. He was always ready to offer support, taking the time to guide me as I navigated new responsibilities, and I was fortunate to learn so much from him. His leadership style was both supportive and efficient, a true testament to his character.

Beyond his academic and leadership achievements, he is also a musical genius. With an incredibly beautiful voice and at ease with multiple instruments, his talent is evident on stage. He even learned to play the drums in just a week for our band’s talent show performance!

Rafael is now in remission with a full-time consulting role lined up in a prestigious strategy consulting firm, and I am so admirative of everything he has accomplished during the program.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? In the short term, being in a position where I can make a significant positive impact is at the forefront of my professional goals, especially in promoting gender equity. My journey hasn’t followed the typical route; it has been a mix of hard work and the strong support network of mentors, family, and friends who’ve been there for me. I’m particularly driven to inspire those in the next generation, especially young women who might be doubting their career paths. By championing the message that every journey is unique and every ambition is within reach, I hope to contribute to breaking down barriers and expanding opportunities for women.

In the long term, launching my own company also sits high on my professional bucket list. It has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, and the MBA journey has equipped me with the confidence to eventually make this leap. The knowledge and experiences I’ve gained here reassure me that I’m more prepared for success, and just as importantly, that failure isn’t the end but rather a stepping stone to begin again with better insights.

What made Pauline such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“I am truly enthusiastic about Pauline’s contribution to my Strategy class. In classroom case discussions, she was particularly effective at combining her vast operational experience from the hotel industry with the class concepts and tools, to formulate highly insightful and actionable recommendations. I vividly remember her practical ideas for a construction company which struggled scaling its digital projects or an energy service company and couldn’t strike the right balance between budget accountability and risk-taking. Pauline never settled for a shallow answer but relentlessly and passionately reacted to her classmates’ contributions to take the discussion to the next level with breakthrough ideas. Pauline is an outstanding oral presenter. Her delivery is precise, crisp, and eloquent with an exceptional ability to connect with her audience. She captivated her class with a thoughtful and empathetic approach to change management in the elderly care industry. Her ability to relate to the challenges faced by hospitality staff and aging residents showed great maturity. Finally, Pauline can maintain very high standards of professionalism while bringing a healthy dose of humor to the classroom. She can be quite focused and intensely involved in class debates while breaking into a good laugh a few minutes later. As an HEC leadership award recipient, she is obviously very popular with her classmates. Always a great listener, she understands the power of harmony and inclusion. Her team was consistently able to deliver excellent oral presentations while enjoying each other’s company and having fun along the way.”

Bertrand Pointeau
Associate Professor of Strategy and Business Policy
HEC Paris

“As the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, I have had the immense privilege of witnessing Pauline’s exceptional contributions to gender equity and inclusive leadership as an engaged student in academic and extracurricular activities. In the classroom, Pauline’s engagement in our London course on ‘Diversity, Leadership, and High Performance – Building Cultures of Belonging’ exemplified her commitment to creating inclusive environments. Her academic achievements, alongside receiving the HEC Excellence Scholarship and a peer-voted Leadership Award, highlight her as a standout student and leader. Outside the classroom, as President of the Women in Leadership Club, her leadership has expanded the club’s reach, directly impacting over 275 members and showcasing her dedication to advancing women’s roles in leadership and business.”

And this is just the tip of the iceberg, as she also supports various activities across the school. In organizing a momentous event for 1,500 attendees as the MBAT Director of Hospitality and supporting prospective students as an HEC MBA Program Ambassador, Pauline continues to demonstrate her organizational skills and commitment to the community. Her work as a consultant and advisor in the HEC Consulting Practice Club further emphasizes her practical application of leadership and analytical skills.

Pauline’s passion for gender equity and her leadership in creating an inclusive academic and professional environment makes her an invaluable member of the Class of 2024. Her dedication, continued engagement and vision for a more inclusive world are not only inspiring but also essential for the future of leadership.”

Dr. Marcelle A. LALIBERTÉ
Chief Diversity Officer & Co-Chair HEC Paris Diversity Committee
HEC Paris

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