Discover how HEC Paris EMBA graduate, Ilda Metani, used data-driven innovation during her capstone project with Air France KLM. Learn how the EMBA helped her gain expertise in AI-driven decision-making, bridging business and technology to make a significant career change and pivot into a rapidly evolving sector.
Ilda Metani graduated from the Executive MBA (EMBA) program at HEC Paris in France in June 2023. She has a truly unique EMBA journey. She combined AI and data specialization with her Capstone Project with Air France KLM, in which she accelerated value creation and data democratization for the company. In a recent interview, Ilda shares insights into her EMBA journey at HEC Paris.
She says about her Capstone Project, “I had an extremely nice environment to learn and apply the learnings of the specialization.”
Ilda’s project was titled “How to Enable a Successful Data-Driven Strategy at Air France KLM? Accelerating Value Creation Through Data Democratization” and it explored how data accessibility can drive smarter business decisions.
For Ilda, the EMBA program at HEC Paris stood out for a particular reason; the ability to combine a specialization with a Capstone Project. This way, she could have the time needed to gain in-depth knowledge and expertise in an emerging field.
“The more you learn, the more you broaden your perspective of the understanding of the business environment and the tools related to core classes,” Ilda explains.
Her journey provides insights into leveraging AI and business intelligence to drive organizational success. Moreover, her strategic decision to couple her Capstone Project with a specialization ensured that she could have ample time to gain expertise in a field and enable a career transition into an emerging sector after the EMBA.
HEC Paris is known for creating the leaders of tomorrow through a forward-thinking approach, focus on leadership development, and a hands-on personalized approach to learning. EMBA students gain a valuable academic foundation through the core courses. Thereafter they can tailor their learning journey through eight different specializations, an optional elective, and a personal Capstone Project.
Ilda’s specialization in Digital Transformation, now called Making Artificial Intelligence Real, at HEC Paris was instrumental in her ability to execute her final Capstone Project. She reflects, “I chose a specialization that I coupled with a capstone, to deepen [my] understanding.”
Through real-world application, Ilda worked closely with Air France KLM’s executive committee, gaining first-hand exposure to how AI and analytics influence strategic decisions.
She remarks, “We were just about to step into the new breakthrough era of AI; it was just at the moment when I delivered the Capstone Project that things changed a lot in the market. We observed the breakthrough of ChatGPT and the new incredible inventions in AI technology.” This highlights the close connection between HEC Paris’s curriculum, industry trends, and real-world developments.
Graduates leave the EMBA program well-equipped with leadership skills and in-depth knowledge of current market trends in the business world.
The Capstone Project at HEC Paris is the final assessment of the EMBA program. It is a 10-12 month project that takes place during the program. It is an opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge and apply their learnings. Students work with an established company to address a strategic question and business challenge. This helps students to gain expertise in a field of their interest, make industry connections, and acquire hands-on experience. The project culminates in a written report and oral presentation in front of a jury.
Ilda’s Capstone Project provided a framework for leveraging AI and business intelligence tools at Air France KLM. She focused on practical applications of AI-driven decision-making.
She comments, “It’s not just because you’re doing the specialization that you have the legitimacy to become an expert in an area. It’s much more about the course. You have great courses, but you need to give yourself the time to deepen your understanding of the specialization. [I enjoyed] the opportunity to couple it with a project like the capstone.”
Applying theoretical knowledge in a real-world environment is essential for professionals to fortify and solidify their knowledge and skills. Ilda’s project at Air France KLM showcases how EMBA students can bridge the gap between academia and growing market trends such as AI, data, and emerging technologies.
Ilda credits her ability to execute this high-impact project to her HEC Paris EMBA experience.
She observes, “The leadership process with Professor Randy White gave a lot of insights on leadership in companies, and the styles of leadership. You learn a lot.”
Developing your leadership style is essential for professional growth. Ilda’s experience at HEC Paris shows how EMBA programs help students build self-awareness, resilience, and adaptability to become better leaders.
“I do believe today that I’ve become a better leader through the different courses that I’ve been through in the Executive MBA journey.”
She notes that she gained a lot of valuable soft skills and developed an adaptable leadership style through the EMBA. She highlights, “I have learned to adapt my leadership style. I think a leader should be empathetic, assertive, vulnerable, and a learner. These are, for me, key takeaways from the classes that I’ve had, and they’ve been a massive discovery for myself.”
These key skills help her in her daily work, managing and driving a team of data scientists/AI consultants as Head of Industry AI Consulting at Schneider Electric in Paris, France.
During the EMBA program, students interact with diverse peers and faculty, helping them to improve their leadership skills. Through building teamwork and effective communication skills, students become better at managing teams and driving impactful change.
Developing leadership skills alongside technical expertise creates a well-rounded skillset needed for success in today’s competitive business world.
HEC Paris EMBA graduates are highly sought after in various industries. Graduates from HEC Paris often secure leadership roles at top global firms, reflecting the school’s strong academic foundation. HEC Paris has an extensive alumni network of 80,000 HEC Paris graduates across 152 countries.
The connections and resources provided by the school help graduates transition smoothly into leadership positions across industries. HEC Paris graduates stand out in competitive markets due to their strong analytical thinking, strategic decision-making, and leadership skills.
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