On November 21, 2024, the University of Geneva proudly hosted the Executive MBA (EMBA) graduation ceremony, an event described as “amazing” by its participants. This vibrant evening brought together professors, alumni, families, and friends, showcasing the vitality and strong sense of cohesion within the EMBA community.
Professor Jean-Yves Mercier, Executive Director of the EMBA program, opened the event by congratulating the new graduates and expressing heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to their success. The ceremony continued with an inspiring opening address by Professor Markus Menz, Dean of the Geneva School of Economics and Management (GSEM), followed by a message from Professor Judith Schrempf-Stirling, EMBA Academic Director.
A highlight of the evening was a heartfelt testimonial by Cyrille Reynard, an EMBA alumnus from 2012, who emphasized the importance of lifelong learning and continuous engagement within the alumni community.
The keynote speech was delivered by Nicolas Chevrey, Secretary General of Jura Hospital, who shared his unique perspective on leadership. He articulated that a leader’s role is not to impose order—an energy-draining endeavor—but to navigate chaos effectively, ensuring it does not overwhelm their team.
After the distribution of diplomas to students who successfully completed their rigorous two-year journey, several awards were presented:
- Best in Class 2024: Awarded to Eric Oberlin by Grégoire Pennone, CEO of OneSwissBank, along with an exclusive weekend for two at a 5-star hotel in Villars.
- Best EMBA Project 2024: Presented to Alona Zezenko, Dinda Kusumawardani, and Mateusz Chojnowski by the dissertation jury chaired by Hakan Ekinci. Maëlle Cador-Donnen of Baume & Mercier awarded each winner a stunning personalized watch.
- Alumni of the Year Award: Bestowed upon Laura Gasser by the president of the Geneva EMBA alumni association, Alain Sigrist. Laura was recognized for her four years as a coach for the self-leadership module and for organizing class visits to her company, Alpian. The award, presented by Thierry Ungaro, CEO of AdValoris, included an exciting choice of four unique experiences, such as a week-long adventure in Iceland.
The ceremony concluded with a powerful address by Isabelle Cohen-Solal, founder and senior consultant of COHerence&SOLutions, who underscored the core values of leadership, including integrity. After the traditional cap toss, attendees enjoyed a sumptuous buffet that extended late into the evening.
The presence of Gilbert Probst, the EMBA program’s founder 31 years ago, added a historical and inspirational dimension to the event, reminding everyone of the program’s remarkable evolution over the decades.
This celebration was a testament to the strength of the EMBA community at the University of Geneva, united by shared values and a commitment to excellence and continuous growth.
