AFAM June board meeting results: new board members elected and 22 Sequoia # 2 grants approved

Details

On June 1 AFAM board directors gathered for its quarterly meeting. The agenda was particularly full and included the election of a new Board of Directors, as well as the approval of 22 Sequoia # 2 grants for incoming Arts et Metiers students studying at American Universities and 4 Shasta grants for interns newly arriving in the United States.

After the meeting AFAM secretary Yarith Phay (Bo 191) thanked the departing board members for their dedication and service to the organization:

"I am particularly proud of the achievements we made together over the past few years and by the direction we are setting for the future. We are saying goodbye to several outstanding colleagues who are wrapping up their terms. Our deepest gratitude goes out to:

  • Marc Amblard, for his vital contributions to AFAM as CFO, to the comité d'investissement and his dedicated representation on the comité de pilotage d'ELF (Evolutive Learning Factories). 

  • Jean-Luc Nauleau, whose legacy as part of the AFAM founding team has shaped the very foundation of this organization.

  • Valentin Fehr, for his steadfast commitment, perspective, and dedication as a Director and very active member of our Comite Operationnel.

  • Eric Tran (US Central), Sacha Ghebali (US East), and Patrice Brossard (General Delegate for Americas), for their leadership as Ex-officio officers in keeping the SOCE regional networks vibrant and connected."

One of AFAM long-serving board members Audrey Stewart, Director of International and European Strategy Development at Arts et Metiers, added:

"AFAM is a remarkable example of the vital role alumni associations play in supporting higher education institutions today. Beyond assisting students with their projects and mobility opportunities in the United States, AFAM actively contributes to strengthening the visibility and reputation of Arts et Métiers internationally. In an increasingly competitive higher education environment, alumni networks have become essential to building lasting attractiveness and impact."

In addition to electing a new board, the directors approved 22 Sequoia # 2 grants for Arts et Metiers students who will be joining American Universities this September ( or are already pursuing their studies the United States) as well as 4 Shasta grants for interns arriving in the United States this summer.

We would like to warmly congratulate all of the grant recipients and wish them every success in their academic and professional endeavors.

The next board meeting will take place on Septembre 14th and will include the participation of the newly elected board members and officers:

  • Xavier Wartelle (Li 182) - President / CEO

  • Aurore Prévot (Li 198) - Vice President

  • Jean Pommier (An 183) - Treasurer / CFO

  • Yarith Phay (Bo 191) - Secretary

  • Audrey Stewart - Ex-officio, representing Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers

  • Alain Le Floch (An 177) - Ex-officio, representing Fondation Arts et Métiers

  • Pascale Morin (Ai 179) - Ex-officio, representing Société des Ingénieurs Arts et Métiers

  • Nicolas Horde (Ai 214) - Independent Board Member

  • Vincent Schmitt (Ch 182) - Independent Board Member

“Zoom on”: Interview with Hippolyte Malgrain ( Ch 221), VIE, HEF Group

Details

AFAM: Hello Hippolyte and thank you for agreeing to answer our questions. You are currently located in Boston and doing a business development job for HEF Group. Could you please tell us a few words about your current job and about the company you work for?

Hippolyte: Hi everyone, I’m currently driving business growth for HEF Group in the US, based out of Boston. This implies getting to know our facilities and the commercial team in the US, learning about the already existing markets, and hunting for new opportunities on new strategic markets.

Very quickly, HEF brings two things to the table: scientific expertise in surface engineering and the ability to scale processes from the lab to industrial production worldwide.


AFAM: what was the road that led you to your current VIE position at HEF Group? Why do you think you were the best candidate for this position?

Hippolyte: I did all my studying years in France and had the opportunity to go to Mexico for my last term internship. I feel my experience there really convinced me that it’s also by working in different environments that you get a sense of what today’s challenges are.

I believe also that having an academic experience in a material sciences CNRS lab at ESPCI and an industrial experience abroad in a tier 1 supplier for the automotive industry really helped me on the road to my VIE.

I’m not sure whether it’s about being “the best” in general or simply about being well-suited to adapt quickly in a new culture. I was particularly interested in understanding what business development looks like in the US. Since HEF Group is a highly technical company, they tend to hire technical profiles to support their sales, which aligns well with my background.

AFAM: what do you enjoy the most about your current role? What is or was the most challenging for you?

Hippolyte: The best thing about my job is the people I meet. I talk with engineers from multiple different industries, mostly from OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), and I get to have a sense of what are today’s next challenges in tech, robotics, aeronautics etc.

To be very honest, a big part of my job is prospection, and that’s the most challenging for me.


AFAM: how did being a Gadz’Arts help you in your professional journey?

Hippolyte: It helped so much! To start with, this VIE opportunity came out of a discussion with a Gadzarts who’s working at my current company.

Apart from that, and more generally, I can share that in every discussion I’ve had about Gadz’Arts, our reputation is always very strong. It’s not just about performance, but also about social skills and the way to operate with others. I feel like this helps a lot to initiate contacts.

AFAM: you live in Boston. What do you do when you are not working? Any activities you enjoy doing? How do you like the city of Boston?

Hippolyte: My hobbies are mostly sports, so I play soccer and tennis with friends. Boston is a great city where you can find a balance between the hustle of a big city and the tranquility of a place where you can settle down and spend quality time. That’s what I love about Boston.


AFAM: what advice would you give to Arts et Metiers students looking for internships in the United States or willing to start their internship search?

Hippolyte: I think it’s always the same advice but still, define what’s important for you in the next 2 years. It might be a scientific expertise, the willingness to discover an industry in a new country… Don’t underestimate speaking fluently several languages, it’s one of your biggest strengths and assets.

Reach out to your network at SOCE. Don’t hesitate to send an email or post a few lines about your profile and what you’re looking for.

AFAM: anything you would like to share with us about your future plans?
Hippolyte: My focus is on the actual mission, we’ll see what opportunities come up at the end of my VIE. If any of you stop by Boston, let’s have a drink.

AFAM: Thank you Hippolyte.

If you are an Arts et Metiers student looking for an internship, please join our Shasta program to get some support. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for know more about the program.

Hippolyte with his colleagues at work

Hippolyte with Albina (AFAM community manager) in Palo Alto, CA, during one of Hippolyte's business trips

All pictures - courtesy of Hippolyte

Please read other interviews in our "Zoom on" series:

Interview with Alessandro Rizzo (Ai 219), VIE, Waga Energy

Interview with Thomas Mas (Ch 219), Associate Project Manager at Walt Disney Imagineering

Interview with Arthur Coste (Ch 221), VIE, Dassault Falcon Jet

Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Tech Lorraine (GTL) - Interview with Pierrick Rauby (Me 214), Sébastien Sequeira (Bo 216) and Eymard Prevost (Li 215)

Meng and Advanced Manufacturing and Design, MIT - Antoine Yazbeck (Ch 217), Arts et Metiers & MIT alumnus

     and other interviews

    On May 30th alumni from Washington DC area gathered in Fredericksburg, Virginia

    Details

    On May 30th Arts et Metiers alumni from Washington DC area, gathered in Fredericksburg, Virginia, for a community get-together hosted by Guy Schuch  (Ch 168).

    A big thanks to the host and the organizers Jean Pommier, AFAM CEO, and Vincent Schmitt who travelled from West Coast to join this gathering.

    In addition to a warm and friendly Gadz reunion and watching the Arsenal-PSG match together in the afternoon, some of the participants enjoyed visiting the Battlefield of Fredericksburg and taking in the views from the Marye's Heights.

    We look forward to welcoming more members of the Gadz community in Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland and beyond at future gatherings.

    Jean Pommier, Nicolas Guibert, Jean-François Mangeot, Guy Schuch, Eric Thibau, Matthieu Gros and Vincent Schmitt

    Eric, Jean, Guy and Vincent

    Pictures: courtesy of Jean Pommier

    On May 28, a group of Houston-based Arts et Metiers alumni gathered together

    Details

    The Houston Gadz'Arts group has set a new record for the number of spring events organized this year!

    On May 28, a group of alumni gathered at The Pit Room in Houston to enjoy drinks, BBQ, and great conversation. It was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, catch up, and no doubt start discussing ideas for future events.

    We wish the Houston group a fantastic summer and look forward to seeing what they organize next!

    A special thank you to Mathilde Godard (Bo 203), Central group president, who recently took on the leadership of the group and organized this gathering. Your commitment helps keep our community active and connected!

    On May 27th, AFAM organized an informational session for Parcours US, GTE, and TAMU students coming to the United States this September

    Details

    On May 27th, AFAM organized an informational session for Parcours US, GTE, and TAMU students coming to the United States this September.

    A big thank you to our regional representatives — Nicolas Horde, Mathilde Godard, Sacha Ghebali and Valentin Fehr — for taking the time to answer the students’ many questions and share their advice and experience.

    More than 30 students joined the session and had the opportunity to learn more about AFAM and meet GadzArts from across the US community.

    We are looking forward to meeting all of you again in a more informal setting, especially during our next GadzMeet event taking place in San Francisco this September!

    Nicolas and Valentin during the session with students

    1. “Business Unusual”: Interview with Laurent Ziliani (Ai 197), composer and performer
    2. GadzArts in Houston joined forces with fellow grandes écoles networks to celebrate the French alumni community in Texas!
    3. Gadz'Arts from across the Bay Area came together in Golden Gate Park
    4. Texas Gadz'Arts community spring news!
    5. “Zoom on”: Interview with Maxime Lacroix (Ai 220), Graduate engineering student majoring in Finance at MIT

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