Get to Know the 3 BDEs Supported by ESSEC Alumni

Chedy Wareshallee (E26), Andréi Kouznetsov (BBA 27), and Henry Tyan (BBA 24 & M25) are respectively presidents of the BDE Carioca for the Grande École, the BDE PRK for the BBA, and the BDE Mistral for the Specialized Masters. Together, they manage an annual budget of €1.3 million to organize events and provide services for 6,500 students on the Cergy Campus, each supported by a team of around thirty peers and the help of ESSEC Alumni.

ESSEC Alumni: What events do you organize during your term?

Chedy Wareshallee: Our year revolves around three major events. First, the Welcome Weekend at the start of the academic year to greet the new cohort: in total, 800 first- and second-year students take part in activities to meet each other – this year’s highlight was a concert by rapper Lartiste. Then comes the Nuit de l’ESSEC, the largest student festival in France: the 2025 edition brought together 5,500 attendees for electro, techno, house, and rock stages featuring major artists like Bon Entendeur and French 79. Finally, the ESSEC Gala, open to both students and alumni as well as staff and faculty: the entire community gathers at a prestigious venue in Paris or nearby. Between these headline events, we regularly host student parties, including one jointly organized with the BDEs of other programs.

Andréi Kouznetsov: Our main events consist of three trips, including a Welcome Weekend and a ski trip, each gathering over 450 students. Our year is also punctuated by various parties both on and off-campus, notably around graduation.

Henry Tyan: We organize a wide variety of events throughout the year: the Welcome Weekend and festive evenings of course, but also sports events and networking activities (afterworks, conferences, outdoor barbecues) with professionals and alumni.

EA: What other initiatives do you lead?

C. Wareshallee: We’re actively involved in the school’s development by representing students on the supervisory board and the social impact committee, coordinating student life with the Student and Residential Life Office (DVER), and supporting our peers academically.

H. Tyan: We also manage the ordering and distribution of personalized ESSEC polos.

A. Kouznetsov: And we lead initiatives around charity work and awareness campaigns.

EA: What new projects have you launched or plan to launch during your term?

H. Tyan: First, RUN ESSEC: every two months, we invite students to run together in partnership with the Paname Run Club. Second, the Mistral Conference: alumni from diverse backgrounds share their experiences. Third, a raclette night: we introduce this tasty (and social!) French tradition to international students. We also launched an initiative with the D&I and Marketing departments to produce videos highlighting women and people with immigrant backgrounds thriving in technical fields. Lastly, we’re preparing a solidarity event with HPR Bullion, a pediatric rehabilitation hospital, which could lead to a lasting partnership.

C. Wareshallee: On one hand, we’ve revamped the ESSEC Gala: the traditional seated dinner format was expensive and outdated, so we shifted to a dynamic cocktail reception that fosters more interaction across the community. On the other hand, we created an Alumni Division within the BDE to capitalize on the BDE’s 70+ years of history: we launched an event called BDE Connect to spotlight former members and show what professional paths are possible after a term. We’re also preparing our first BDE Gala to mark the handover between generations.

A. Kouznetsov: On our end, two innovations will mark Fall 2025: the integration of the AIDAMS program and the creation of a weekend dedicated to international students.

EA: Do you carry out any initiatives specifically for international students?

A. Kouznetsov: We translate all event names into English and maintain close ties with the BDEs on the Rabat and Singapore campuses.

H. Tyan: Likewise, we always communicate in English and ensure that all our events are inclusive and accessible. In the same vein, our Diversity & Inclusion division promotes the diverse nationalities represented at ESSEC.

C. Wareshallee: We also lead a dedicated international division, which organizes Welcome Week in collaboration with the Melt association: a week filled with events like Cergy city tours and boat parties.

EA: What is your relationship with ESSEC Alumni?

C. Wareshallee: We are fortunate to have both financial and operational support from ESSEC Alumni. We collaborate especially on the ESSEC Gala, an inherently intergenerational event: the team assists with planning, finding a sponsor, and connecting us with class delegates. In addition, ESSEC Alumni raises awareness among students and trains them to use the alumni network throughout their studies. Finally, as president, I sit on the ESSEC Alumni board, which allows me to represent student voices in the association’s strategic decisions.

H. Tyan: We organized our Mistral Conference in close cooperation with Chloé Guilbert (E09) and Hannane Nebie, respectively the head and coordinator of the student community at ESSEC Alumni. The association gave us access to the Maison des ESSEC, helped with preparations, promoted the event on Instagram, LinkedIn, and through their newsletter, and contributed financially. We hope to make this a recurring event.

A. Kouznetsov: ESSEC Alumni also provides financial and logistical support, particularly for projects involving alumni participation. The association is highly involved in organizing the 50th anniversary of the BBA this November – the perfect opportunity for generations to meet and deepen their ties to the school and its network. Stay tuned! 

Interview by Louis Armengaud Wurmser (E10), Content Manager at ESSEC Alumni

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