Strategy & Leadership
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Invited to deliver the commencement address at the HEC Paris Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, June 13, 2026, Valérie Baudson, CEO of Amundi and an HEC Paris alumna, addressed graduates from the MBA, Executive Master, MSIE and PhD programs as they prepared to embark on the next chapter of their professional lives, inviting them to ask themselves one essential question: What do you want out of life?
She shared a personal reflection on leadership, purpose, and the unexpected choices that shape a career. Drawing on her own journey, from an early career setback to leading Europe's largest asset manager, she encouraged graduates to stop looking for the perfect recipe and start creating their own path.
Using the world of gastronomy as a guiding metaphor, Baudson argued that while business schools teach frameworks, models, and best practices, life after graduation requires something different: the courage to put the cookbook aside and create a "signature dish" that reflects who you are and what you stand for.
- There is no universal recipe for success, each person must find their own path.
- Curiosity and lifelong learning are essential for effective leadership.
- In the age of AI, judgment and values matter more than execution speed.
- Diverse teams create stronger, more resilient organizations.
- Great leaders help people realize their potential.
- Optimism enables us to turn uncertainty into opportunity.
