Bernice Lee

“I am a globally raised, goal-driven dreamer who lives with creative passion and authenticity”

Grad Year: June 2022 / J21 admission

Current Employer / Role:  Chloé / Retail Merchandiser

Is this the industry and role you envisioned yourself in upon entering the program? 

Having worked in retail fashion since my high school days, and later in luxury retail management, being a merchandiser for a luxury maison in Paris is exactly where I dreamed of being. Prior to my MBA, I was a Senior Sales Manager at Saks and worked closely with wholesale distributors and merchandisers. It was frustrating to witness the large disconnect in the buying assortment – we knew exactly what our clients were looking for but we were not receiving the right stock to be able to drive the business to its maximum potential.

I wanted to transition to the corporate side of retail merchandising to eliminate this disconnect and help store managers and their teams succeed. Today, I am thrilled to be in a role where I am able to support the store manager daily, leveraging my extensive background in retail management to build collaborative, highly effective partnerships.

Why was HEC Paris and their MBA program the right fit for you among all of the options out there?

I was highly targeted in my search: I wanted a top-tier, globally ranked MBA program located in a major fashion capital. Having already lived and studied in Milan, Paris was my next dream destination. Beyond the location, I wanted a program with deep-rooted connections to the major players in the luxury industry, such as LVMH, Kering, and Richemont.

HEC Paris offered exclusive opportunities like the LVMH and Kering certificates, alongside a proven recruiting track record with many other prestigious companies. Ultimately, HEC Paris was the only business school that checked every single box on my list, making it the perfect fit for me among all the options out there.

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

The HEC Paris MBA program has significantly elevated my business acumen and transformed my way of strategic thinking. On a professional level, navigating the rigorous curriculum gave me a comprehensive, 360-degree understanding of different business functions. On a personal level, the experience pushed me to develop a high level of resilience, sharp time-management skills, and the ability to prioritize effectively under tight deadlines. Working alongside an incredibly diverse cohort also helped to refine my cross-cultural communication skills and teach me to lead and collaborate seamlessly across different backgrounds and perspectives.

What’s a standout moment or memory from your time at HEC Paris that really stuck with you?

My absolute standout memory from HEC Paris would be the incredible, effortless ease with which our cohort connected, ultimately making those 16 months one of the greatest personal and professional investments of my life. The deep bonds we forged on campus, the friendships we maintain to this day, and the continuous new connections I make within the global HEC alumni network are constant highlights for me.

This core memory is especially meaningful because I was part of the “COVID batch” starting the MBA at the peak of the pandemic. Everything was uncertain – from whether we would be able to bond and connect at a distance, to how a group with such vast cultural and geographic diversity would manage to communicate and learn from one another under so many restrictions. I was initially worried the pandemic would diminish the experience. Instead, being confined together on campus resulted in our cohort of roughly 140 students creating some of the closest friendships and networks that we still retain today.

How did you balance your work/school/home life during your degree? What were the biggest challenges?

Balancing my work/school/and home life during the degree was a masterclass in prioritization. The daily challenges involved staying in close touch with loved ones despite major time zone differences, all while managing an intense academic workload. With so many clubs, conferences, and extracurriculars on campus, a key hurdle was learning to prioritize participating in certain events over others, despite wanting to attend and be a part of everything on campus.

I also accepted and started my full-time role in mid-March 2022 during the final semester of the program. Commuting back and forth between campus and Paris, working full-time, and wrapping up my final academic requirements required immense discipline, but it was incredibly rewarding and led me to where I am today.

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

My absolute biggest takeaway was serving as the President of the MBA Retail & Luxury Club. Taking on this massive responsibility taught me invaluable, real-world lessons in resilience, complex stakeholder management, and cross-functional team leadership that I rely on every single day.

Our mandate as a club was incredibly challenging at the time as most corporate partners were hesitant to commit to in-person events as they had grown accustomed to virtual events over the preceding year and a half. Despite these hurdles, our team managed to execute the largest club mandate in HEC history—delivering over 28 events in a four-month period, including an entirely in-person October Trek Week with over 40 distinguished speakers from the world’s top luxury maisons. The grit we developed and the hours we spent working together to achieve what seemed impossible remain both my proudest accomplishment and my fondest memories.

What is your advice for those who are considering applying to the HEC Paris MBA program?

I would highly recommend starting with the end in mind: envision where you wish to be post-MBA—both geographically and professionally—and work backward to ensure that the HEC Paris MBA program is the perfect bridge to get you there.

It is also vital to bring your genuine self to the application process. While a stellar GMAT score and a strong resume are the baseline for entry, admissions interviewers are looking for authentic, passionate, and like-minded individuals who will actively contribute to and thrive in the HEC community. Be passionate about your goals and let your energy shine through!

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