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SKEMA Alumni Matinales: insightful presentations on inclusion in the workplace
For the first edition of the “SKEMA Alumni Matinales” conference series, the SKEMA Alumni and Fundraising departments organised a conference on inclusion in the corporate world. The theme, which echoed the Hackathon 2021 event (the new entrants (L3) to the Grande Ecole Programme take a step up from their undergraduate status and don their graduate gowns), interested both students and graduates from large companies.
At the beginning of this academic year, inclusion in companies is definitely anchored in SKEMA’s mindset. On Thursday, 16 September, the amphitheatre was filled to capacity (according to the current health regulations) to listen to Michel Ferrary, founder of the SKEMA Observatory on the Feminisation of Companies, who shared his views on inclusion in the professional world.
“This conference allowed me to put everything I know about diversity and inclusion into perspective: thanks to the figures, objective studies, and the sincere feedback from the speakers. It is very interesting to see what is being done in other companies about these issues,” said Alexandra Burla, alumna (SKEMA 2020) and retail executive at Microsoft. “It was also an opportunity to meet an expert speaker,” she added.
An important issue for senior managers
Several senior executives from leading companies were present during the conference, such as Charles Arkwright, director of human resources at L’Oréal and a 2005 SKEMA alumnus. “Inclusion in companies is a central issue and we saw it through Michel Ferrary’s demonstration, a vector of financial performance,” he confided.
Exchanging good practice
Participants found the conference to be very informative, as it provided insights into inclusive practices in companies.
“It was interesting to listen to the testimonials of companies on the solutions they have put in place to break the glass ceiling. I really appreciated this format, which compares an expert’s vision with the professional experiences of the alumni,” underlined Laurence Mériaux, alumna (SKEMA 1985) and career manager at SKEMA.
The next conference will take place onNovember 16 2021 in Lille campus on the theme "Is entrepreneurship a lever for growth?
Information and registration here.
©Lora Barra / SKEMA Business School
