Testimony from an administrator - Olivier Fournier / Group Hermès

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Corinne Berty

03.05.2026

Testimony from an administrator - Olivier Fournier / Group Hermès

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.

Olivier Fournier (PGE83)
Managing Director for Governance and Organizational Development, Hermès Group — Chairman of the Fondation d'Entreprise Hermès – Member of the Fondation emlyon's Executive Committee

Could you summarize the key stages of your career?

A graduate of emlyon's Grande École Program (PGE) in 1983, I began my career in internal audit and financial management roles within international groups such as Nestlé and Apple. These early experiences allowed me to build a solid foundation in finance, governance, and organizational understanding.

My career was then profoundly shaped by my encounter with Hermès, which I joined in 1991. I held various roles there, first within the finance department, then within the core businesses, notably in the textile division in Lyon, before going on to lead the leather goods and saddlery craft division in Paris. Since 2015, I have served as Managing Director for Governance and Organizational Development on the Group's Executive Committee, with cross-functional responsibility over administrative functions and a direct contribution to human, organizational, and strategic matters. I have also served as Chairman of the Fondation d'Entreprise Hermès since 2016.

Which moments or decisions shaped your path the most and which values guide the way you work?

Two things shaped my career in particular: the diversity of the craft trades I had the opportunity to discover, and the trust placed in me to take on increasingly cross-functional responsibilities.

The values that guide my professional commitment are deeply rooted in passing things on, in rigor, and in the desire to give back to the world what it has given me. I'm also very attached to equal opportunity, which I see as essential in allowing everyone to fully express their potential.

What's a memory from your years at the School that has stayed with you and how did your education shape your career?

What stays with me from my years at emlyon is the memory of a demanding, formative education, deeply open to the world. It's a place where both skills and convictions are built.

This education played a decisive role in my career, giving me a solid foundation in management and developing an adaptability and curiosity that have stayed with me throughout my career.

What made you want to re-engage today?

My commitment today is part of a logic of passing things on and continuity. Coming back to the School is, for me, a way of contributing in turn to the success of new generations.

I see emlyon evolving significantly toward ever greater openness, innovation, and impact, in step with the changing world and students' expectations.

Why did you agree to join the Foundation's Executive Committee?

I agreed to join the Foundation's Executive Committee out of a desire to contribute concretely to creating the conditions for success for everyone, regardless of personal hardship or the twists of fate that can hold back a person's path.

What motivates me : the ability to act tangibly to support students, by creating the conditions for them to pursue their studies with peace of mind.

What do you see as the major challenges facing the Foundation today and what are its priorities for tomorrow ?

The Foundation today faces major challenges: guaranteeing access to education, responding to the diversity of student situations, and sustainably mobilizing its community.

For the years ahead, the priorities seem to me to be strengthening support programs, amplifying collective mobilization, and continuing a strong commitment to equal opportunity.

What causes or projects do you get involved in outside of your professional work?

Beyond my professional activity, I'm particularly involved in initiatives that promote passing knowledge on and supporting younger generations, especially in the cultural world. As Chairman of the Fondation d'Entreprise Hermès, I've been able to develop specific programs around supporting contemporary artistic creation, passing on knowledge and craftsmanship, protecting biodiversity, and encouraging solidarity.

What advice would you give a student or recent graduate?

I would advise cultivating curiosity, not fearing non-linear paths, and staying true to one's values.

What message would you like to pass on to future donors?

I'd like to say that their commitment has a direct, concrete, and lasting impact: it allows students to pursue their studies under better conditions, and helps shape the talents of tomorrow.

Support the Fondation emlyon

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.

Testimony from an administrator - Olivier Fournier / Group Hermès

2026-03-05 12:00:00

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2026-08-20 11:32:34

2026-07-22 17:09:55

Corinne Berty

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.Olivier Fournier (PGE83)Managing Director for Governance and Organizational Development, Hermès Group — Chairman of the Fondation d'Entreprise Hermès – Member of the Fondation emlyon's Executive CommitteeCould you summarize the key stages of your career?A graduate of emlyon's Grande École Program (PGE) in 1983, I began my career in internal audit and financial management roles within international groups such as Nestlé and Apple. These early experiences allowed me to build a solid foundation in finance, governance, and organizational understanding.My career was then profoundly shaped by my encounter with Hermès, which I joined in 1991. I held various roles there, first within the finance department, then within the core businesses, notably in the textile division in Lyon, before going on to lead the leather goods and saddlery craft division in Paris. Since 2015, I have served as Managing Director for Governance and Organizational Development on the Group's Executive Committee, with cross-functional responsibility over administrative functions and a direct contribution to human, organizational, and strategic matters. I have also served as Chairman of the Fondation d'Entreprise Hermès since 2016.Which moments or decisions shaped your path the most and which values guide the way you work?Two things shaped my career in particular: the diversity of the craft trades I had the opportunity to discover, and the trust placed in me to take on increasingly cross-functional responsibilities.The values that guide my professional commitment are deeply rooted in passing things on, in rigor, and in the desire to give back to the world what it has given me. I'm also very attached to equal opportunity, which I see as essential in allowing everyone to fully express their potential.What's a memory from your years at the School that has stayed with you and how did your education shape your career?What stays with me from my years at emlyon is the memory of a demanding, formative education, deeply open to the world. It's a place where both skills and convictions are built.This education played a decisive role in my career, giving me a solid foundation in management and developing an adaptability and curiosity that have stayed with me throughout my career.What made you want to re-engage today?My commitment today is part of a logic of passing things on and continuity. Coming back to the School is, for me, a way of contributing in turn to the success of new generations.I see emlyon evolving significantly toward ever greater openness, innovation, and impact, in step with the changing world and students' expectations.Why did you agree to join the Foundation's Executive Committee?I agreed to join the Foundation's Executive Committee out of a desire to contribute concretely to creating the conditions for success for everyone, regardless of personal hardship or the twists of fate that can hold back a person's path.What motivates me : the ability to act tangibly to support students, by creating the conditions for them to pursue their studies with peace of mind.What do you see as the major challenges facing the Foundation today and what are its priorities for tomorrow ?The Foundation today faces major challenges: guaranteeing access to education, responding to the diversity of student situations, and sustainably mobilizing its community.For the years ahead, the priorities seem to me to be strengthening support programs, amplifying collective mobilization, and continuing a strong commitment to equal opportunity.What causes or projects do you get involved in outside of your professional work?Beyond my professional activity, I'm particularly involved in initiatives that promote passing knowledge on and supporting younger generations, especially in the cultural world. As Chairman of the Fondation d'Entreprise Hermès, I've been able to develop specific programs around supporting contemporary artistic creation, passing on knowledge and craftsmanship, protecting biodiversity, and encouraging solidarity.What advice would you give a student or recent graduate?I would advise cultivating curiosity, not fearing non-linear paths, and staying true to one's values.What message would you like to pass on to future donors?I'd like to say that their commitment has a direct, concrete, and lasting impact: it allows students to pursue their studies under better conditions, and helps shape the talents of tomorrow.Support the Fondation emlyonDiscover 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.