The MBA That Changed More Than Careers
The HEC Paris MBA Class of 2026 gathered on campus to celebrate the culmination of an extraordinary journey marked by academic achievement, personal growth, and lasting friendships. For graduates representing dozens of nationalities and professional backgrounds, commencement was both a moment of celebration and reflection, a chance to look back on 16 months that challenged them to grow far beyond the classroom.
For many students, the MBA experience was about much more than earning a degree. It was an opportunity to redefine careers, discover new strengths, and build a global network that will endure long after graduation day.
Excellence in Leadership and Academics
Multiple members of the Class of 2026 were recognized for exceptional achievements during the graduation ceremony. Those named to the Dean’s list showed both exemplary academic performance and notable service to the MBA community. Academic Awards were given to students with the highest GPAs and Leadership Awards went to graduates who showed outstanding contribution and leadership throughout the MBA Program, as based on class nominations.
Among them was Sarah Storhagen, who received both the Leadership Award and the Academic Award and was named on the Dean's List.
"I was very surprised," she said. "I was very honored, of course. It's really exciting to know that you've kind of made an impact on two different sides of the MBA with both the leadership and the academic side."
While the academic recognition was deeply meaningful, Sarah was especially proud of the leadership distinction because it reflected the impact, she had on her classmates and the broader MBA community. She will continue her international journey in Dublin, where she has joined Google as a strategist in advertising.
Anhad Singh Bajaj, a recipient of the Academic Award, described the recognition as a surreal moment. For him, the achievement reflected not only academic excellence but also the collective support of the MBA community.
"I think all the people that I've met along the way have really come together to give me what I've become today," he said. "That's the true victory that I have from the entire experience."
Kabia Navarez said she felt the love of her fellow MBAs after receiving the Leadership Award. Returning to Ecuador after graduation, Kabia plans to bring new ideas and fresh perspectives to her family's business. Reflecting on her MBA journey, she noted that one of her proudest accomplishments was mastering subjects she had never studied before, particularly finance.
Embracing Uncertainty and Reinvention
For many graduates, the MBA represented a turning point in their personal and professional lives.
Lina Guerin, former French national rugby player and student speaker at the graduation ceremony, shared a deeply personal reflection on transition and resilience. After retiring from professional rugby following more than a decade at the highest level of competition, she arrived at HEC searching for a new direction.
"When we arrived at HEC, most of us came here looking for something... a new career, a different life," she told her classmates.
Drawing parallels between the uncertainty of athletic retirement and the transformative MBA experience, Lina reminded graduates that growth often begins when familiar paths disappear.
"Looking back, I don't think this MBA gave us all the answers, but I do think it taught us something even more valuable, how to move forward when we don't have them."
Her message resonated strongly with a cohort that had collectively left behind careers, countries, and comfort zones in pursuit of new opportunities.
For Zainab Arilesere, graduation brought mixed emotions. While thrilled to have achieved her goal of earning an MBA, she reflected on the bittersweet reality of seeing classmates disperse across the world.
Supported by the Laidlaw Scholarship, which covered her tuition in full, Zainab is now exploring entrepreneurial ventures with fellow graduates while also seeking ways to support future generations of women pursuing business education.
"I'm looking for how to invest in women so that they know that their aspirations of going to business school is possible," she said.
The Power of Community
Throughout the ceremony, one theme emerged repeatedly: the importance of relationships.
Graduation speaker Jacqueline Eichenblatt captured this sentiment in a moving address inspired by her own life experiences and the bonds formed at HEC Paris.
Reflecting on the MBA's structure, from assigned seats and study groups to shared residences, she noted how quickly strangers became a support system.
Drawing on lessons learned while caring for her mother who died of cancer during the Covid pandemic, Eichenblatt reminded graduates that success is ultimately measured by the relationships they build and nurture.
"The most important thing you will build in this life are your relationships," she said.
Her message highlighted a defining characteristic of the HEC Paris MBA experience: the realization that classmates become far more than professional contacts. They become friends, collaborators, mentors, and lifelong sources of support.
More Than a Degree
As the Class of 2026 prepares to begin new chapters around the world—from global technology companies and entrepreneurial ventures to family businesses and social impact initiatives—the graduates leave HEC Paris with far more than a diploma.
They leave with a deeper understanding of themselves, the confidence to navigate uncertainty, and a global community that will continue to shape their futures.
As Lina concluded in her commencement speech, every graduate took a risk when they chose to pursue the MBA. Leaving behind careers, countries, routines, and familiar identities required courage. The lesson now is to continue embracing that same spirit of possibility.
"So, wherever life takes us next," she said, "I hope we keep taking risks. I hope we keep betting on ourselves."
While every member of the Class of 2026 leaves HEC Paris with a remarkable achievement, these graduates received special recognition for their academic excellence, leadership, and impact on their peers.
Watch the replay of the 2026 HEC Paris Commencement Ceremony