#WEAREHEC: Meet Violaine Zeyen, Sustainability and Social Innovation Student

Passionate about using business for good and food transparency, read about Violaine's journey to HEC Paris, as well as her accomplishments and goals for the future.

Her story

My name is Violaine Zeyen, I’m a French student who did a Bachelor in Business Administration and specialized in Logistics and Sustainable development at HEC Montreal. I spent 6 months abroad to do an exchange with the University of Western Australia.

Before joining the MSc Sustainability and Innovation at HEC Paris, I was working at an incubator that is part of the social and solidarity economy in a zero-waste start-up called Pandobac.
 
Her studies

I chose to join HEC as I wanted to gain more sustainability-related knowledge! The structure of the SASI Master appealed to me a lot as it combines various learning experiences. Indeed, I get to join regular classes and conferences and I also have the opportunity to do a consulting mission, write a thesis and do a certificate! I can benefit from a theoretical approach while testing out new skills first-hand. Lastly, I wanted to be coached on how to become the changemaker I aspire to be.

What surprised me about HEC is the diversity of the profiles of the people I’ve been able to meet. I have gotten to know students who have strong values and international backgrounds. This enables deep reflections and intense debates which I find inspiring.

Until now, the favourite part about the HEC experience has been the “SASI reunion” on campus! It was right before the autumn holidays and the temperature was still warm. We were sitting on the benches under the trees after a class and were discussing the future, trying to change the world…

At that time, I had a feeling of belonging as the people I was talking to were really engaged, kind, and open-minded.

We also had a “changemaker seminar” which was amazing as it enabled me to understand my personality a bit more and reflect on how I should leverage my natural abilities and interests.
 
Her career

I would like to work in the food industry and contribute to a fairer wealth distribution between its actors. I wish to help to display relevant information on food packaging and facilitate its understanding to customers.

I would like to start my career in a big retail company to have a global understanding of the stakes and issues in this industry. 

Her values

My main drivers are: human connections, having an impact, and environmental causes. I’m really energized when I meet new people and discover new opinions or ways of perceiving things.

Most of the time, it inspires me and gives me the will to act. Other than that, I’m sensitive to the fact not everyone can study or climb the social ladder and I would like to reduce these inequalities through my daily actions.

Her hobbies

During my free time, I enjoy playing the guitar and singing! I also really enjoy biking, hiking in nature, playing board games, and cooking. I find it difficult to get out of my comfort zone, so I often challenge myself with customized actions and “yes man” challenges!

I’ve recently started running and would like to do my first triathlon this year.