HEC Paris Graduation 2026 | From Professional Athlete to New Beginnings – Lina Guérin

At the HEC Paris Graduation Ceremony 2026, MBA graduate and former French international rugby player Lina Guérin reflects on identity, resilience, and the courage to embrace uncertainty. After more than a decade competing at the highest level of professional sport, Lina faced a challenge many graduates can relate to: what comes next when the path you've always followed suddenly ends? From retirement and injury setbacks to career transitions and new beginnings, she shares how some of life's most defining moments often start with a "no", and how those moments can open unexpected doors. Through her HEC Paris MBA experience, Lina found more than new skills and career opportunities. She found a community that helped her navigate one of the most significant transitions of her life, reminding her that even in moments of uncertainty, we do not move forward alone. Her message to the Class of 2026: "I don't think this MBA gave us all the answers. But I do think it taught us something even more valuable: how to move forward when we don't have them." #HECParis #Graduation2026 #MBA #Leadership #Resilience #CareerTransition #WomenInLeadership #HECgrad26