Reimagining a Career in Healthcare with EDHEC’s Executive MBA
A pharma executive retools her leadership and opens new doors through a programme built for transformation: with a PhD in Biochemistry and 15 years in the pharmaceutical industry, Delphine Cozzone turned to the EDHEC Executive MBA to shift toward healthcare innovation and refine her leadership path.
Opening doors and expanding vision
For experienced professionals looking to evolve their leadership and step into the future of their industry, the EDHEC Executive MBA offers more than just academic advancement: it delivers transformation. Delphine Cozzone, a Paris-based executive with a PhD in Biochemistry and over 15 years in the pharmaceutical sector, saw the programme as the right catalyst to shape her next chapter.
Delphine had spent over a decade in market access and marketing roles within major pharmaceutical companies, but she reached a point where she needed something more.
“The Executive MBA at EDHEC has been a real game-changer for my career in two key ways: it opened my mind and opened doors,” she says.
Find out why the EDHEC EMBA is again ranked #1 for alumni satisfaction
“When I applied, I had been working for the same pharmaceutical company for 12 years and was eager to explore what innovation would look like in healthcare, and, more importantly, how I could be part of this transformation.”
The EMBA gave her that opportunity. “A fresh perspective and the tools to shape my next career move.”
Choosing EDHEC: The Right Mix of People, Content, and Connection
When it came time to select a programme, Cozzone had clear expectations: “I was looking for a top-tier education with participants who were at a similar stage in their careers.”
EDHEC delivered on all fronts.
“The EDHEC Executive MBA was the perfect match for three key reasons,” she explains.
“The cohort: Participants have an average of 16 years of experience and come from diverse backgrounds—over 15 nationalities and industries like energy, digital, real estate, and manufacturing. This diversity was exactly what I was looking for to expand my perspective.”
“The program content: EDHEC is the only Executive MBA that offers a strong curriculum over the first year, allowing me to explore areas I had never studied before, such as corporate finance, financial analysis, and operations management. Finally, the six-month specialisation in healthcare through the Healthcare Innovation & Technology programme. EDHEC is the only Executive MBA to offer this dedicated focus on the healthcare sector.”
And, crucially, she says, “the people. What truly made my decision clear was my interaction with the program directors and admissions team. From the very first discussions, I felt a strong connection and alignment in values.”
A Demanding Schedule with Real Flexibility
Delphine entered the programme just three months after giving birth to her second child, a timing that could easily derail any ambitious educational pursuit. But EDHEC’s modular format helped streamline the experience.
Find out more about the EMBA's Healthcare Innovation & Technology specialisation
“Over 16 months, we met in person for four days each month at the Paris campus, while continuously working remotely between sessions, whether on individual assignments or group projects.”
“In terms of balancing career, family, and studies, the program fit perfectly into my life. I gave birth to my second child just three months before starting, and during the first months of the EMBA, I focused on my studies and my family, before returning to work later on.”
Learning, Applying, and Growing in Real Time
The programme’s rhythm allowed Cozzone to apply what she learned immediately. “The structure of the program allows for immediate application of what we learn, with one week at EDHEC followed by three weeks at work.”
She also found unexpected value in peer learning. “The EMBA is a constant source of enrichment thanks to exchanges with other participants. I learned so much from my teammates: their ways of working, handling complex situations, managing priorities, and leading teams. And these exchanges don’t stop when we leave the campus, because we stay in constant contact between sessions.
“For me, these 16 months felt like a continuous learning lab, fueled by self-reflection, the lessons taught in class, and the insights shared with my teammates.”
Leadership, Inside and Out
Another defining aspect of the programme was its leadership development track, Transform360. “One of the biggest benefits of the program has been the opportunity to reflect on the kind of leader I want to be.”
“At EDHEC, leadership development is a key part of the EMBA, explored in two main ways: Hard skills: The program challenges us to think about critical topics that every responsible leader should embrace. I particularly appreciated courses on business ethics and innovation for sustainability.”
“Soft skills and self-awareness: Leadership development goes beyond theory, with dedicated courses, a 360° assessment, and individual coaching. One of the highlights for me was the session on paradoxical leadership, which helped me identify the paradoxes I face as a leader.”
For those considering the EDHEC Executive MBA, especially professionals in demanding sectors, Cozzone’s message is clear:
“Don’t think too much. Just go for it. It’s a valuable investment. Be open to things. Be committed. The more you put into the experience, the more you gain.”
She also underscores the personal growth the programme encourages.
“It’s just 16 months, but it goes by so quickly. It’s quite short. Step out of your comfort zone. We’re told it’s a safe place, and that’s true.”
Ready to transform your career, too?
Join our transformational Executive MBA programme and gain the insights, knowledge, and personal resolve to lead the transformation you, your career and the business world need.
Evaluate your profile to speak to one of our career advisors and see how you'd fit in with our next Executive MBA cohort.
