GBBA induction: two NEOMA graduates give masterclasses

The new academic year for first-year GBBA students is always an intense time, with institutional presentations, workshops (including Be e Team, designed to fast‑track team dynamics) and masterclasses. NEOMA also invited two graduates, Cécile Reinaud, founder of Séraphine, and Gregg Bywalski, CEO of Webedia, to share their experience with students. 

Cécile Reinaud: take risks, break the glass ceiling and dream big

As the founder of Séraphine, a maternity fashion brand, Cécile is the personification of female entrepreneurship, innovation and international success. She delivered a clear message to students: take risks, break the glass ceiling and dream big.

Cécile’s career has also been defined by her involvement in the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. Her journey highlights the boldness and determination needed to turn an idea into reality. Cécile underscored the importance of international careers, emphasising that mobility and cross-cultural awareness are, in her view, key drivers of professional success.

After her talk, Cécile spoke with real enthusiasm, commenting: “It was fantastic to welcome the new NEOMA students for their first day of university last week! The School laid the foundations for me to become an entrepreneur. It gave me the confidence and skills I needed to start my business from scratch and grow Séraphine into an international brand.” 

Gregg Bywalski: be bold enough to break the rules

Gregg, Webedia's CEO, shared a message urging students to be bold and stay true to themselves. 

His first key idea: never stop questioning what you have learned. Mastering the fundamentals is essential, argued Gregg, but the ability to challenge them helps you grow and adapt to new sectors.

Gregg’s second key idea was that new opportunities arise when you have the courage to experiment. He illustrated this point with his experience in video and streaming. When he noticed that a significant proportion of films were being produced but never distributed, he came up with a new way to broadcast them online, well before platforms such as Netflix became widespread. For Gregg, there is always something new to invent.

This GBBA induction will have given new students a concrete sense of the values upheld by NEOMA: innovation, openness, respect and excellence.