Hugo Maugenest (SKEMA 2017), Ambassador of the Dubai Chapter

Could you tell us a little about your journey since graduating from SKEMA Business School and what motivated you to become an ambassador of the SKEMA Alumni Dubai Chapter?

After graduating from SKEMA in 2017, I started my career in financial markets in Dubai, working for Commerzbank. I stayed with them for five years before joining Crédit Agricole in 2022.

This career path would never have been possible without SKEMA's network and the solid foundation provided by my Master's in Financial Markets and Investments. Both have played a crucial role in the development of my life and career. For me, becoming an ambassador was a way to give something back to this school that has contributed so much to my journey.

As ambassador, how do you plan to bring energy and life to the Dubai chapter? Can you share any ideas for initiatives or for events you’d like to run?

Dubai is a dynamic city with an often transient population. This is both a challenge and an opportunity to build a strong alumni community. We used to organise 2-3 events a year (cocktail parties, after-work get-togethers, dinners), but recent budget cuts have made this more difficult.

With the opening of SKEMA's Dubai campus in September 2024, we have a unique opportunity to:

• Create events that bring students and alumni together so that the latter can share their experience and the former can get advice and learn about opportunities from experienced professionals.
  
  
• Increase collaboration with the school to access more resources that will improve the organisation and promotion of events.
  
  
• Recruit new ambassadors to more actively engage young graduates and organise more regular events. This will strengthen our community and increase the visibility of the chapter.

What message would you like to send to our alumni to encourage them to join and become actively involved in the SKEMA Alumni Dubai Chapter?

The more we are, the stronger we are! With the opening of this new campus, we’re entering a very exciting phase. Your involvement in developing our network, whether it’s by adding new alumni to our WhatsApp group, sharing career opportunities, attending events or mentoring other alumni and students, can make a real difference.

Every little bit helps to build a stronger, more connected community.