Testimony from an administrator - Anaïs Bessis / Groupe In Extenso
Through this series of profiles, we invite you to discover the Fondation emlyon's newest board members: their journeys, their ties to the School, and what fuels their commitment.
Anaïs Bessis (EMMG19)
Group HR Director & Partner at In Extenso – Member of the Fondation emlyon's Executive Committee
Could you summarize the key stages of your career?
I graduated with a Master's in HR in 2009, then, ten years later, thanks to In Extenso, I had the opportunity to go through an intense program at emlyon. I built my career around human transformation within organizations. After several experiences in Paris in HR development and change management, I joined In Extenso, one of France's leading firms in accounting and consulting for small and medium-sized businesses. I am now the Group's HR Director & Partner, in charge of HR and CSR strategy for 7,300 employees across France and Europe.
Which moments or decisions shaped your path the most?
What shaped my path the most, above all, were pivotal encounters. I was lucky enough to cross paths with people who believed in me even before I fully realized my own potential. In particular, Philippe Autran and Antoine de Riedmatten, who put their trust in me, gave me responsibility very early on, and helped me broaden my perspective. Their demanding yet caring approach was formative.
I also built my career around a strong conviction: you move forward by surrounding yourself with capable people. Today, I'm supported by a committed and talented team, who help me gain perspective, challenge my ideas, and aim further. Nothing I do, I do alone.
Finally, a key moment was choosing to step away from operational work to take on a genuinely strategic role. Gaining distance, letting go of certain habits, and repositioning myself differently: that shift was decisive in how I now support the Group and drive transformation.
What values guide the way you work?
Rigor, transparency, a sense of collective effort, and a focus on concrete impact. I favor a results-oriented approach, while cultivating trust and accountability.
What's a memory from your years at the School that has stayed with you?
I remember an extremely intense pace, all the more so since my daughter Léa was three years old at the time. It was a period during which I was heavily challenged, both academically and personally. It was an experience that shaped me a great deal and taught me to stay the course in demanding circumstances.
I also remember some strong connections. Two classmates, Sonia Derardja and Corinne Danthony, became true friends. These bonds matter just as much as what you learn in class: they're among the pillars that stay with you for the long run.
How did your education shape your career and what made you want to re-engage today?
It gave me a solid business foundation, intellectual agility, and a strong taste for continuous learning. These are essential elements in my current role.
The desire to pass things on, to act for equal opportunity, and to support young people. The Foundation carries out missions that are meaningful and have a real impact.
Why did you agree to join the Foundation's Executive Committee and what motivates you in this mission?
Because the Foundation plays a key role in access to education, diversity, and supporting students' journeys. It has demanding, impact-driven governance — and that matches the way I like to work.
The opportunity to act on levers that genuinely change life paths: scholarships, inclusion, high-impact educational projects, and support for students.
What do you see as the major challenges facing the Foundation and its priorities for tomorrow ?
Ensuring genuine equal access to education; supporting students in a demanding economic and social context; developing high-impact projects around CSR and transitions; and bringing companies and alumni together even more closely around the Foundation's mission.
Access to scholarships, CSR, educational innovation, and the ability to support students on skills development and career transitions.
What causes or projects do you get involved in outside of your professional work?
Issues related to education, inclusion, access to employment, and skills development. I'm also very drawn to projects that make businesses more responsible and sustainable.
What advice would you give a student or recent graduate?
Dare. Try things. Get involved. Curiosity, boldness, and the ability to learn quickly are the best allies for a successful career.
What message would you like to pass on to future donors?
Supporting the Foundation means investing directly in the future, and in life paths that can genuinely change thanks to that support. Every contribution creates concrete opportunities for students who wouldn't always have the means otherwise.
Discover the Fondation emlyon's four programs in our previous articles: living-expense scholarships, the emergency fund, health and disability scholarships, and the Tour de France des Oraux.
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