From Doha to Paris: The Class of 2026 Celebrates a Journey of Learning and Leadership

On the eve of the HEC Paris Commencement Ceremony, more than 144 graduates from across the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), accompanied by their families, gathered in Paris for the 4th edition of the HEC Paris, Doha Graduation Reception. The evening was dedicated to celebrating their achievements, leadership, and the transformative journeys honoring the Class of 2026.

Organized by HEC Paris, Doha, the reception brought together participants from four Executive MBA cohorts — Executive MBA Doha, Executive MBA Riyadh, Executive MBA Riyadh PIF, and the Executive MBA – Emerging Leaders Track — representing GCC, Middle East and beyond. Far more than an academic celebration, the event highlighted the personal and professional transformations that shaped this graduating class.

The reception was held at Hôtel Le Marois, a landmark venue located on Avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt, just steps away from the Champs-Élysées and opposite the Grand Palais. Situated beneath the offices of the HEC Paris Alumni Association, this private mansion, built in 1863 by architect Henri Parent for Count Le Marois, is a remarkable example of Haussmannian architecture. Steeped in history, the venue has been home to the France-Amériques Association for nearly a century and remains a distinguished meeting place for leaders from the worlds of diplomacy, business, finance, and culture. Its elegance and historical heritage provided a particularly fitting setting to celebrate the graduates of the Class of 2026.

Co-hosted by Djelloul Bekka, Chif Operating and Administrative Office and Joshua Kobb, Chief Growth and Impact Officer, and led by Nayef Sabeh as the Master of Ceremony, the evening brought together graduates, alumni, faculty members, families, and distinguished guests. Speakers included Joshua Kobb; Philippe Oster, Executive Director of International Affairs at HEC Paris; and Véronique Ehrhard, Vice President of the HEC Alumni Association; alongside cohort representatives Kholoud Al Ghati and Abdulrahman Al Jumaily.

Each emphasized the importance of leadership in a constantly evolving world, the growing influence of the HEC Paris community across the Gulf region, and the responsibility entrusted to tomorrow’s leaders in shaping business, innovation, and society.

 

A Community of Leaders United by a Shared Experience

The Class of 2026 reflects the richness and diversity of HEC Paris Doha’s executive education ecosystem. This year, 144 participants graduated across the four Executive MBA cohorts, representing a wide range of industries including finance, healthcare, energy, technology, telecommunications, public services, manufacturing, consulting, and entrepreneurship, as well as a diversity of nationalities and leadership backgrounds. More than 430 graduates and family members registered to take part in the celebrations in Paris, demonstrating the strong bonds forged throughout the program.

The evening also gave graduates an opportunity to reflect on the personal and professional transformations that shaped their journey at HEC Paris.

Shaikha Maryam Al-Thani from the Executive MBA Doha cohort, joined the program after more than twenty years of experience in the financial sector. As Chief Executive Officer of the Qatar Credit Bureau, she plays a key role in financial innovation, the development of financial services, and the transformation of Qatar’s financial ecosystem.

For Shaikha Maryam Al-Thani, the Executive MBA was fully aligned with her ambition to support the evolution of the sector and help shape the future of finance. Her journey reflects the spirit of the Class of 2026: ambition, lifelong learning, and a commitment to creating lasting impact within organizations and society.

The Executive MBA as a Catalyst for Transformation

Beyond the celebration itself, the reception provided a moment to reflect on the journeys that brought participants to this important milestone. Throughout the evening, graduates shared stories of career transitions, personal challenges, and professional ambitions that inspired them to return to learning despite already holding significant responsibilities.

Their testimonies highlighted a shared conviction: in a constantly changing world, learning is no longer a once-in-a-lifetime experience but a lifelong commitment.

Whether working in finance, healthcare, technology, energy, public or public sector, many described the Executive MBA as an opportunity to gain new perspectives, expand their networks, and develop the strategic mindset required to lead in an uncertain environment. More than a degree, the program emerged as a powerful driver of personal development, professional growth, and meaningful exchanges among leaders from across the Gulf region and beyond.

Nour El Houda Zorgui, part of Executive MBA Riyadh cohort, perfectly embodies the multidisciplinary profiles that characterize the HEC Paris community. Trained as a dental surgeon, she now serves as Director of Operational Excellence at Alcare, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading private healthcare groups, where she oversees the operational performance of a network of hospitals and medical facilities.

For her, HEC Paris had long been a professional aspiration. Originally from Tunisia, she viewed the institution as a benchmark for academic excellence and an opportunity to strengthen the entrepreneurial mindset and agility that are essential in today’s business environment.

Reflecting on the celebration in Paris, she praised her choice of venue, whose architecture and atmosphere reminded her of the elegance of Versailles. In her view, the setting perfectly reflected in the spirit of Paris and HEC Paris’s reputation as one of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions, where excellence, entrepreneurship, culture, and international leadership converge.

A Transformation Beyond the Classroom

Throughout the evening, one theme emerged repeatedly: transformation. Although the graduates came from different countries, industries, and professional backgrounds, many described their time at HEC Paris as a genuine turning point in their careers, equipping them not only with advanced leadership capabilities but also with the capacity to create meaningful impact within their organizations and contribute to the development and progress of their respective countries.

The program challenged them to question long-held assumptions, broaden their understanding of leadership, and embrace perspectives far beyond their own industries. More than a degree, the experience represented a period of growth that shaped both their professional ambitions and their approach to leadership.

This spirit of transformation was also reflected in the testimony of Tarek Atiyah. Seeking not only to deepen his expertise but also to strengthen his leadership capabilities, he viewed the Executive MBA as an opportunity to challenge himself, refine his decision-making, and broaden his perspective through interactions with accomplished professionals from diverse backgrounds.

For Atiyah, one of the program’s greatest strengths lay in the diversity of the cohort. As Academic Delegate, he became deeply involved in the program details and deliverables, helping to foster collaboration among participants while building lasting friendships and professional relationships that will endure well beyond graduation.

Despite the uniqueness of each individual journey, a common aspiration resonated throughout the evening: a commitment to continuous learning, challenging established ideas, and creating positive impact within organizations, industries, and communities.

For many, the reception was not simply an academic celebration. It was an opportunity to reflect on years of effort, growth, and transformation, while celebrating the human connections that made the journey possible.

As the evening drew to a close, graduates prepared for the official commencement ceremony the following day, which would mark not only the culmination of an academic journey but also the beginning of a new chapter within a global community of leaders.

Congratulations to the HEC Paris Doha Class of 2026. United by shared experiences and strengthened by lasting connections, its graduates now join the influential global alumni network of HEC Paris, which brings together more than 83,000 members across 152 countries, opening opportunities for collaboration, career development, and international exchange. They leave Paris as HEC Paris Alumni, ready to shape the future across the Gulf region and far beyond.