Conferences

Back to School with L’Oréal

22 September 2025

The Chair had the pleasure of welcoming L’Oréal Groupe to ESSEC for a special “Back to School” evening, held in collaboration with the Global Circular Economy Chair.

The event brought together students, alumni, and L’Oréal professionals for an engaging exchange on leadership, diversity, inclusion, and sustainable innovation — four pillars shaping the future of business.

Key moments of the evening included:

• An introduction to L’Oréal Groupe and its commitment to nurturing future talent by Thomas Girardot.

• A keynote on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion by Margaret Johnston-Clarke, Co-Chair of L’Oréal’s Global DE&I Advisory Board.

• A presentation by Pierre-Olivier Morlaas, Global Managing Director of L’Oréal International Distribution (LID), 2026 sponsor of the Chair, who shared how LID embodies L’Oréal’s mission to make beauty accessible to all through innovation and collaboration.

• Reflections from Chair Director Junko Takagi and alumni on the Chair’s impact in shaping inclusive leaders.

• A presentation of L’Oréal for the Future by Cannelle Lacoste, Impact Fund Manager.

• An overview of the Global Circular Economy Chair by Felix Papier and Pierre-Emmanuel Saint-Esprit.

• The evening concluded with a networking cocktail with L’Oréal recruiters, providing a unique opportunity for exchange and connection.

This event reaffirmed the shared mission between ESSEC and L’Oréal: creating space for diverse voices, driving meaningful change, and shaping a more inclusive future.

2025 Drag Event: "Drag Me Up"

On May 14th, the Essec Drag Show made a vibrant return to the Grand Amphithéâtre, offering a captivating evening of performances by talented drag artists. The show provided a powerful platform for artists to celebrate their unique stories and creativity while emphasizing the Chair’s inclusion, diversity, and expression values.

Following the performance, a cocktail reception was held, allowing guests to connect, reflect, and appreciate the rich diversity within the ESSEC community. The event was a remarkable opportunity to unite people in a festive and empowering setting, honoring the many forms of talent and expression that make us all unique.

2025 L&D Chair Kick-off

We officially launched this exciting new year alongside Farah Elamrani and Thomas Girardot from L’Oréal’s Talent Acquisition team, reinforcing the strong and long-standing partnership between the Chair and the company.

This year, Chair students will collaborate with L’Oréal’s Consumer Products Division (CPD) teams to tackle key strategic challenges in emerging markets:

• Locally Relevant Products – Developing skin and hair care solutions tailored to the diverse needs of these markets.

• Culturally Inclusive Content – Ensuring that brand messaging authentically represents local communities.

• E-commerce Accessibility – Adapting digital platforms to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.

• Stand-Up Initiative – Localizing L’Oréal’s global cause to combat street harassment worldwide.

Meeting with Nicolas HIERONIMUS

On January 10th, 2025, the students had the privilege of meeting Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO of L'Oréal, and gaining first hand insights into the group’s vision, leadership, and commitment to innovation.

As patron of this edition, Nicolas Hieronimus marked the occasion by renewing the partnership between L'Oréal and ESSEC, celebrating the successes of the Leadership & Diversity Chair and reinforcing the group’s dedication to nurturing future talent.

This event was an incredible opportunity to explore L'Oréal’s universe, connect with recruiters, and exchange with ESSEC alumni. 

A day filled with inspiration, meaningful encounters, and exciting career perspectives!