Who is the manager of the KEDGE Alumni branch in Brussels?

KEDGE Alumni has many branches around the world, which provide opportunities for local Alumni to meet, expand their network, share their respective experiences, and have a good time together.

Today, we invite you to discover the dynamic host of our branch in  Brussels

💬 ROZENN MARECHAL (ESC 1998) - BRUXELLES

To begin, tell us a little about your career. What is your current position? How did your educational and professional background get you there?

I have been working for the Delegation of the Region of Brittany to the European institutions for A year where I follow some European policies. Before that, I worked for 15 years for industrial lobby groups – three years at the European Commission and, at the beginning of my career, in computer engineering. While working for the European Commission, I took evening classes in European Affairs to get my master so I could change careers.  Since I was in Belgium, I also took evening classes to learn Dutch so I could understand the Flemish. They make up more than half of the Belgian population.

You currently live in Brussels. What do you like about Belgium, in particular Brussels? How is it different from France?

• Brussels is a small city compared to Paris or London, and for the most part, is surrounded by forests which offers a nice way of life.  Rents are also fairly reasonable.
• Belgium is small enough that it doesn’t take long to get to France, The Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg.
• Belgians are much more approachable than the French and they don’t look down on you.  For a long time, Belgium was part of Burgundy and so they often seem to live like people from Burgundy, in other words, they enjoy good food and wine.
• Brussels is also the headquarters to a number of European institutions and NATO so you come across a lot of different nationalities. It’s very enriching.

You are now managing the local KEDGE Alumni branch (Brussels). What motivated you to volunteer?

The school contacted me to see if I’d be interested. It didn’t take long for me to make up my mind because I like to join groups And one useful thing I’ve about working in Belgium, and Brussels in general is the more the better. This has been the chance to organise great get-togethers between Alumni and coaches, for Alumni to share experiences, and just generally have a good time together. 

What are your ambitions for this branch?  What are your plans?

With Covid, my plans were a bit derailed, but when the bars reopen in Belgium, and when we no longer are restricted to « bubbles » a little meetup over drinks will be welcome and to see familiar faces and meet new people. We will continue to share experiences and will finally, I hope, be able to have Creative Brainstorming Round 2 (t’s a scavenger hunt in Ikea… We’ve had Round 1 already 😊 ).

How did becoming a branch manager go? Was it easy to work with the KEDGE Alumni team? 

It was extremely easy. The work done by Brigitte Van Roy was great, and I’m not just saying that because she has a Flemish name!  We worked together not only on the graduate network but also on connecting students (whether visiting or doing an internship) and Alumni. Brigette responds quickly if you have any questions or suggestions.  She takes care of the branch hosts and sends lots of positive energy.

Finally, what message would you like to send to graduates and students passing through or living in Brussels?

Don’t hesitate to come to a KEDGE Afterwork and share a plate of zakouskis (the Belgian word tapas) and a Belgian beer. They’re casual and have no other purpose than to make connections and have a good time.

  ROZENN MARECHAL - LINKEDIN

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