Strategic Steps: How Britt Leveraged Her EMBA to secure a seat on the board

“I was able to immediately leverage the Board Governance specialization in my daily interactions with the Board of Directors. It helped me understand the responsibilities of the board and how to become an independent BoD myself.”

Choosing the right EMBA program is a pivotal decision, shaped by personal motivations and professional goals. For Britt Hendriksen, the choice to pursue the HEC Paris EMBA was all about strengthening her board management skills and learning alongside a high-achieving, diverse cohort. These factors, combined with the program's unique structure, helped her make her decision. 

Britt Hendriksen is the CFO Syngenta Crop Protection, a leading global agriculture company. With over 20 years of experience in senior financial leadership roles, Britt has played an instrumental role in guiding organizations through strategic transformations, financial management, and organization optimization. 

Before joining the program, Britt was at a point where she felt confident in her work experience but recognized the need for new challenges to continue growing. “I wanted to learn from peers in other industries and apply my own experiences to various business cases,” she shares. “Additionally, I was looking for an opportunity to challenge my own assumptions and gain fresh perspectives.” 

For Britt, the Board Governance specialization was one of her main reasons for choosing the HEC Paris EMBA. “I was able to immediately leverage the Board Governance specialization in my daily interactions with the Board of Directors,” she shares. “ It helped me understand the responsibilities of the board and how to become an independent BoD myself.” 

Participants in this specialization explore key areas such as corporate governance foundations, boardroom dynamics, CEO succession, and the role of activist investors, all of which plays an important role in Britt's career goals. As a CFO, Britt works closely with board members, preparing for board and audit committee meetings. “The specialization provided great insights into the distinct responsibilities between executive management and board directors, as well as the type of information that should be shared with the Board.” 

Another key reason for Britt’s decision was the quality of her cohort. With an average of 15 years of work experience and an average age of 40, the HEC Paris EMBA class offers a wealth of expertise and diverse perspectives. "My cohort really enriched my learning experience," Britt says. “We came from different industries like Oil & Gas, finance, software, intergovernmental organizations, plus a great mix of small start-up to multinational companies, which added to the learning in the group work.” 

She also found immense value in the core courses of the program. “The Trends & Transformation courses, particularly the Business Environment lessons, were very well-structured and useful for a project I was leading at work. They provided an external perspective on geopolitical topics and how they influence my company.” 

Finally, Britt appreciated the flexible program structure. “The block module format works well when you have to travel from abroad,” she says, referring to the one-week-every-two-months format. “The fully dedicated weeks made it easier to plan around work and family life.” 

In March 2025, Britt joined the Board of Directors at Datwyler, a listed Swiss manufacturing company. “I’m very excited about this role,” she says. “It’s a fascinating company where I can contribute my experience while also learn new business areas.” Her new appointment marks a significant milestone in her career, and she credits her EMBA journey as a steppingstone in preparing her for this role.