Ignace Mouzannar (EMBA 2020)

Engineering Director at Zendesk

Don’t do it for the prestige, do it for yourself. Such an executive MBA program will make you grow personally. Your professional career will follow.

Describe yourself in 25 words or less
Human first. I am a mix of cultures, a musician and an avid reader. People person.

Fun fact about yourself

I recorded a couple of albums when I was younger and was about to move to London to try myself as a professional musician. Then I suddenly started a career in computer engineering.

Describe your current job in a sentence or two.

My job is about getting teams and people to align, believe, engage and deliver together quality products and services.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during the EMBA?

I was elected valedictorian for my class. This wasn’t even on the map of possibilities when I started the program (or ever). It’s like this program opened a whole new world of possibilities for me.

Why did you choose the McGill-HEC Montréal executive MBA program?

I was accepted at other prestigious programs. But there was something human and special about the interactions I had with the people of this program. And indeed, this EMBA program is about enabling the leader in each one of us.

What did you enjoy most about the EMBA experience in general?

The incredible transformation through learning. And the lifelong friendships that we have built.

What is the biggest lesson you gained during your EMBA and how did you apply it at work?

Always assume good intentions (or never assume bad ones). Simple. Life-changing.

What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program?

Don’t do it for the prestige, do it for yourself. Such an executive MBA program will make you grow personally. Your professional career will follow.

What is the biggest myth about going back to school?

People think that going back to university is hard. In reality, you learn so much that you enjoy it 100%!

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal?

Becoming a CEO with solid values and an inspiring vision.

Ignace Mouzannar (EMBA 2020)

Valedictorian – Class of 2020

C’est une tradition à l’EMBA McGill-HEC Montréal que les participants choisissent un ou une collègue pour faire un discours à l’occasion de la conclusion de leurs études. En anglais, ça s’appelle “The Valedictory Address” et la personne qui donne ce discours, c’est le Valedictorian. This should be someone who exemplifies the spirit and philosophy of the program. Someone who was engaged and committed throughout the program, and participated actively and constructively in team and classroom settings. A person who had a positive impact on the learning atmosphere of the class and contributed to your collective learning.