People

I completed my studies in hotels and catering and have always worked in hospitality in the Fontainebleau area. But INSEAD is so multicultural that it feels as if I have an international career! The school’s Residences are very different from your typical tourist or business hotels, which I greatly appreciate and enjoy.

Currently, I lead a team of around 16 people, all working at the Ermitage, Clos St Merry and – when the renovations are complete – the Viatte. We welcome programme participants and other guests, such as faculty and staff, and always aim to provide the best customer service. For me, the hotel business is a job that involves discipline, reactivity and a true sense of service.

My husband and I met at school, and we now have three children aged 24, 22 and 10. He has been in hospitality for as long as I have and currently manages two restaurants in Paris. Before INSEAD, I worked in two local establishments that people in Fontainebleau might remember: the Aigle Noir and Le Caveau des Ducs. Joining the school has enabled me to grow professionally, by acquiring new skills, learning new working methods and expanding my network. But most of all, it has helped me to grow personally by giving my life and my family a multicultural dimension.

My fascination with the Asia Campus initially stemmed from the enchanting lush green spaces that envelop it. Now an integral part of the school, I remain drawn to the global ambiance, intellectual leadership and cross-disciplinary relevance that define INSEAD.

In my role within the Research Department, I oversee the seamless operation of two initiatives, namely the Marketing and Sales Excellence Initiative and the new Negotiation and Conflict Management Collaborative. My contributions extend to communication, fostering collaboration and executing outreach activities. 

I take pride in planning and running conferences, webinars and other events, while also revelling in the creative process of crafting content for newsletters, websites, event brochures and LinkedIn posts. This dynamic role allows me to make meaningful contributions to the vibrant intellectual community at INSEAD.

Embarking on an ongoing journey of self-discovery, I seek to evolve into a better version of myself for my family, friends and colleagues. Presently, my journey involves delving into the unknown and unfamiliar, embracing new experiences, people and environments, and fostering resilience in the face of life’s uncertainties.

Most of my time at INSEAD has been spent in Executive Education, coordinating programmes around the world. Last year, I took on the challenge of not only changing jobs but also changing departments and moving into a managerial role. I’m now providing administrative support to the finance professors, along with my team of faculty assistants, and I’m proud of the positive and supportive culture that we have created together.

I grew up in England, but I have a degree in Hispanic Studies and always saw my future abroad. After spending a summer cleaning caravans in Spain and another studying in Portugal, I joined the Lloyds Bank graduate scheme in their HR Department.

I moved to France for love in 2010 and embraced the opportunity to learn French, as well as furthering my professional experience in a range of educational and cultural positions in Paris. Little did I know that I would build my family and professional life in Fontainebleau, and that in 2024, I would be a mum of two kids, and working at INSEAD!

In all honesty, I joined INSEAD because I was looking for a job closer to home. Since then, however, I have transformed into an informal “brand ambassador” for the school, sharing my positive experiences with visiting candidates, participants and potential new staff. I am so proud to be part of this institution and my highlight of last year was running the Foulée Impériale de Fontainebleau race as part of the INSEAD team.

For the past 15 years, INSEAD has been my second family. I am Syrian, grew up in Switzerland until the age of 18 and went to university in the United States. I returned to Syria to work in my family’s business, then did my MBA in France, where I joined Coca-Cola, before moving to Canada. I later worked for L’Oréal as General Manager for the Luxury Division in Lebanon.

When I joined INSEAD, what appealed to me initially was its reputation. A few months later, I realised that the reputation is a small component of the wealth that INSEAD represents. To me, the richness comes from the community. Working in an environment where people are inspiring has stimulated and energised me for all these years. The school’s global footprint, along with its people and endless intellect, give us a unique and invincible competitive advantage.

I am responsible for Executive Education in the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa. My colleagues and I design and deliver a wide range of programmes for companies and governmental entities, but I am especially proud of all the women’s leadership programmes that we are delivering in this emerging region. Together with my team, we have managed, over the years, to increase both awareness of INSEAD and the value of Executive Education in the Middle East. In the future, my ambition is to further grow our programmes in Africa.