emlyon Foundation: new governance and 2025 review
The emlyon Foundation announces the renewal of its governance, embodied by its Board, as it welcomes three new members committed alongside the School to strengthen its efforts in promoting social policy opportunities. On this occasion, the Foundation also presents the review of the 2025 year, marked by significant progress in its support initiatives for students.
A renewed board representative of the entire emlyon ecosystem
The emlyon Foundation is renewing its governance and welcoming three new board members, whose expertise and commitment will bring renewed momentum to the initiatives carried out in support of beneficiary students.
Anaïs Bessis, Olivier Fournier and Alice Riou are joining the Board as members, each contributing their expertise:
Anaïs Bessis (EMMG19) is Associate human resources Director at the In Extenso group. She joins the Donors’ College.
Olivier Fournier (PGE83) is Executive Vice President in charge of governance and organisational development, member of the Executive Committee of Hermès, and President of the Hermès Foundation. He joins the College of qualified members.
Alice Riou (PGE97) is a permanent Faculty member — Full professor of marketing at emlyon business school. She joins the College of qualified members.
The volunteer Board of the Foundation brings together representatives from across the emlyon ecosystem: members of the alumni community, students, representatives of the CCI Lyon Métropole Saint‑Étienne Roanne, as well as donors and qualified members. This diverse governance model ensures a representative vision of all the School’s stakeholders, united in making solidarity a concrete driver of equal opportunity.
In addition to the three recent arrivals to the Board, it is composed of the following individuals:
Permanent members
- Bénédicte Bost – Director of Social and Environmental Engagement, mission manager at emlyon business school
- Bruce Roch (PGE96) – Global Head inclusion & diversity, Adecco – Representative of emlyon alumni
- Marie Laborie (PGE26) – Communications manager of the emlyon Corporation Council – Representative of emlyon students
- Nicole Sibeud – Elected member of the CCI Lyon Métropole St Étienne Roanne – Executive Search & Coaching Consultant – Partner at Endrix – Representative of the CCI
Donors’ College
- Patrick Eisenchteter (PGE89) – President of the Foundation – Co-founder & Managing partner, Motion Equity Partners
- Riaz Vayid (PGE95) – Senior Advisor, Cerberus Capital Management
- Victor Huet (PGE09) – Senior Wealth Manager, NS Partners
Qualified Members
- Françoise Perriolat (PGE86) – Chief financial officer, Institut Pasteur
These appointments come with heartfelt thanks to the outgoing board members, whose terms are ending, for their decisive contribution to the development of the Foundation’s solidarity initiatives.
- Anabelle Flory-Boiron (PGE01 & OCA 2022) – President of the board, Boiron Laboratories
- Peter Wirtz – Faculty Member at emlyon business school – Dean of Faculty and research
- Anne Thimonier (PGE85) – Director of communications and education fundraising
A philanthropic dynamic in progress in 2025
In 2025, thanks to the increasing support of its donors—companies, alumni, and individuals—the emlyon Foundation continued and expanded its action in favour of equal opportunity. Its ambition remains unchanged: enabling every student to access and pursue their academic journey with peace of mind.
The Foundation deploys four key support programmes:
The Living expenses grants, dedicated to covering essential needs for students facing financial hardship.
The emergency funds, activated in cases of serious and unforeseen situations.
The disability & fragile health grants, which finances essential accommodations for students with disabilities or limiting health conditions.
The “Tour de France des oraux”, offering optimal logistical conditions to preparatory class students to support their competitive exams.
Learn more about the Foundation’s initiatives
Strong progress in 2025
The past year demonstrates a particularly strong collective dynamic:
A fundraising total doubled compared to 2024
270 students supported
300 engaged donors
These outcomes are aligned with emlyon’s broader strategy, since becoming a Mission-driven company in 2021, to promote social policy by removing financial, social, and personal barriers that can hinder academic paths. Through its social policy, the School reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that every talent benefits from the same opportunities for success, thanks to strengthened support mechanisms and continued engagement from the entire community.
Meeting emlyon scholarship recipients is enough to understand the immense impact of the Foundation on their journey. They are talented and deeply grateful. The Foundation and its initiatives deserve greater visibility so that we can help an even larger number of talents. Every donation counts, regardless of the amount, and each one can change the course of a life.
Highlights bringing the community together
In 2025, the Foundation also engaged its community of donors and partners through several flagship events:
The annual donors' dinner, bringing together donors and student beneficiaries.
The alumni evening in Geneva, organised with the support of Jean Guillaume Kleis (PGE13, CEO of Keleops).
The Leaders’ Dinner in London, gathering alumni and international partners.
L’Oréal Fundraising Night #2, dedicated to the Emergency Fund, in the presence of alumni working at L’Oréal.
The launch of the “Pont des 30” Club, a solidarity circle led by Romain Peninque (PGE04) and Antoine Delon (PGE99), funding €5,000 annual scholarships over three years to support students over time.
Students from the Global BBA – Talents track and high-level athletes, discover testimonials from Foundation beneficiaries:
