Breaking Boundaries: Why Professionals Around the World Are Choosing ESSEC’s Hybrid EMBA

6.6.2025

With the intake around the corner, future participants of the ESSEC Hybrid Executive MBA are preparing to begin a transformative journey. What sets them apart? They live and work in all four corners of the globe and are ready to break the mold of traditional in-person EMBA learning models. The Hybrid EMBA program at ESSEC, with its focus on trending topics such as ESG, AI and innovation, combines the flexibility of online learning with the impact of immersive residencies, attracting ambitious professionals eager to take their careers to the next level.

We spoke with Vivian Straka, Trade Marketing Manager at Hublot; Gabriella Moretti, Deputy Head Listing at SIX Swiss Exchange; and Hidekazu Ishida, Head of Corporate Venture Investment Office at Eisai Co., Ltd., three future ESSEC Hybrid EMBA participants from the U.S., Switzerland and Japan to understand what drew them to the program, why now is the right moment, and what they’re most looking forward to.

Why now? Timing is everything

The decision to pursue an EMBA, whether online or in person, is deeply personal. For Hidekazu, Vivian and Gabriella, the professional and personal timing finally felt right.

Hidekazu points to what lies ahead: “What’s driving me to pursue an EMBA now are the challenges I need to tackle in order to advance further… Despite my achievements, I am acutely aware of my challenges that lie ahead,” he said, referring to global integration, corporate-startup synergy, and cross-industry transformation. “Given these needs, a global top-tier EMBA program like ESSEC is key.”

Vivian echoes the sentiment that timing is key. She spent two years carefully evaluating her options, “culminating in the realization that I am now positioned to benefit from and contribute to the program from the outset”. Like Hidekazu, Vivian maintains that the program “will equip me with the framework and expertise necessary to integrate my experiences and significantly contribute to a leadership role. This timing perfectly aligns with my long-term career aspirations, enabling continued growth and sustained success.”

Beyond her goal of advancing her career, Gabriella also expresses an “urge to learn something new”. For her – and for many others who decide to embark on an EMBA journey – the timing feels right not just for professional growth, but for personal transformation as well.

Looking ahead: anticipation and ambition

As the program’s start approaches, excitement is building. For all three participants, it’s not just about the academics—it’s about the people, the experiences, and the growth to come. Vivian looks forward to exchanging ideas with peers from around the world, calling it “an incredibly enriching opportunity” to learn from diverse perspectives. Gabriella is eager for the international campus weeks and the chance to expand her horizons.

Meanwhile, Hidekazu sees the program as a gateway to developing a broader, more global business mindset – something he believes wouldn’t be possible in a traditional, domestic EMBA. Together, their anticipation reflects a shared readiness to learn, connect, and evolve.

For these professionals, ESSEC’s Hybrid EMBA isn’t just a degree, it’s a launchpad, precisely timed and purposefully chosen. With a flexible format and a truly international outlook, the program offers them a chance to grow, connect, and lead. As the intake draws near, one thing is clear: the future of executive education is here, and it’s flexible, global, and deeply transformative.

Find out more about our Hybrid Executive MBA