Gian Mueller on a Tailored EMBA Journey: Shaping His Future in Luxury and Leadership

“Initially focused on luxury, I expanded my EMBA journey by adding a second specialization in Board Governance—one of the best decisions I’ve made, broadening my leadership perspective and long-term career vision.”

Gian Müller’s experience in the HEC EMBA program is a testament to how he leveraged and customized the program to further his career and personal goals. With 15 years in luxury hospitality, Gian wanted to refresh his perspective and expand his knowledge beyond the industry. Opting for the flexible two-weekends-a-month format, he balances his role in Switzerland with his EMBA studies. 

Not only did Gian choose the Luxury, Today & Tomorrow specialization, focusing on strategic decisions for marketing luxury brands globally, but he also pursued the Board Governance specialization, with modules in Germany and the USA, to gain valuable insights into board leadership and dynamics.

How has the EMBA shaped your career goals?

I am currently working as a Hotel Manager in a 5-star hotel in St. Moritz, Switzerland, with a 15-year career in luxury hospitality spanning Hong Kong, Beijing, and Paris. The EMBA has been a breath of fresh air, allowing me to reassess my career trajectory and identify areas for career advancement and growth. I've also developed a valuable support network that I can rely on during challenges or moments of success. The exposure to diverse thoughts and the ability to challenge my own preconceptions have been invaluable.

Beyond academics, the EMBA curriculum also features personal and professional development sessions which include a variety of topics including strategic networking and enhancing your LinkedIn profile. I found these courses especially helpful!

Why an HEC EMBA?

I have always enjoyed learning, and after 15 years of professional experience, I saw the Executive MBA as a great opportunity to refresh my knowledge, reframe my perspectives, and get new inspiration. I am passionate about the luxury industry and wanted to join a program which allowed me to learn about luxury but also sharpen other business skills. 

I was drawn to HEC Paris because of its excellence, worldwide reputation, alumni network, international focus and flexible program formats. What truly sets HEC Paris apart was the warmth and humility of its community. From my first interactions with the team, I felt welcomed and supported, confirming that this was the right environment for me.

What influenced your choice of format?

Paris is one of my favourite cities and plays an important role in the luxury industry, so it was an ideal place to combine my passion for learning and my love for Paris.

The second reason was that I work in a seasonal industry. I identified the format with two weekends a month, which allowed me to combine work and the EMBA studies in the best possible way – the studies require dedication and a considerable amount of time after all.

Finally, I believed that the shorter, more frequent 2-day modules would allow me to absorb the content in a better way and reflect on what I have learned.

How has the EMBA impacted your current role?

I consider it a great benefit to pursue the EMBA program while actively working in business as I can immediately apply what I learned and draw from my work experience when discussing a topic in the classroom. Each module provided new ideas to improve my work, as the content was highly practical and based on real-life scenarios. 

The leadership modules, in particular, allowed me to experiment and apply new concepts. Through this, I could also ensure to impart the knowledge acquired. Insights from the strategy courses have been valuable, shaping how I approach business decisions daily. For example, just a few weeks after completing the corporate strategy module, our company had the opportunity to expand into a new market. The frameworks I learned from the course enabled me to apply my knowledge in real time and actively contribute to the decision-making process.

How did the leadership modules impact you?

Leadership is core element of the EMBA program, interwoven through the curriculum with broad variety of subjects from cultural intelligence to crisis management, supported by case studies and simulations and even an Outdoor Leadership Seminar thereby creating a very effective learning experience.

People often say that an EMBA transforms you, but I didn’t fully grasp what that meant until I experienced it myself. From the very first week, HEC Paris fostered an environment where we could openly share leadership challenges and learn from one another. Over time, I realized that some of my greatest insights came not just from professors but from my peers, who brought diverse perspectives and experiences.

Thanks to HEC Paris I have become a more confident leader, capable of viewing situations from different angles, acting thoughtfully and feeling well-equipped to face a broad range of leadership challenges.

How did you tailor your EMBA experience?

One of the reasons I joined this program was to learn more about the luxury industry beyond the hospitality sector. I decided early on to join the luxury specialization and as I progressed, the topic of “board governance” triggered my interest. Since the dates were compatible with my schedule, I decided to add a second specialization. This allowed me to acquire in-depth knowledge in two diverse fields. To further deepen my understanding of the luxury industry, I signed up for one of the many GNAM (Global Network for Advanced Management) courses at partner universities and regularly attend luxury management panels organized by HEC Paris or the alumni association.

What was your most valuable EMBA experience?

I decided to enroll in the Board Governance specialization, an intense program with modules in Germany and the USA. We were exposed to a broad range of academics and industry experts allowing us to get real-life insights into boardroom typically hidden from public view. The highlight was a three-day module at the renowned Wharton School where we explored the US-perspective on board governance. Choosing this specialization was one of the best decisions I have taken. More than just an academic experience, it reshaped the way I approach leadership and long-term career planning.

How has the EMBA networking experience benefited you?

The EMBA program provided a platform to meet people I would not meet in my everyday life. Through specializations or leadership seminars, we had the opportunity to also meet students from other intakes including the programs in Doha and Riyadh. This not only contributed to our understanding of other cultures but allowed us to meet amazing people from around the world. Throughout the program, many of these acquaintances turned into friendships.

HEC Paris also provides countless opportunities to meet with fellow alumni and industry experts. There are numerous networking events in the university’s alumni house in the center of Paris as well as on campus. Throughout our studies, we also had many guest speakers who shared their insights with us and became valuable connections. The HEC Paris community is known for its openness, making it easy to meet new people and build meaningful connections. 

There is a great “esprit de corps”.