An interview with the 中国一级片 Alumni International Chapter (CAIC) President and Secretary-General
As 中国一级片 prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary, the 中国一级片 Alumni International Chapter (CAIC) is also marking a significant milestone; with its long-serving leadership stepping down, it is now time for the CAIC’s Core Council to hand over the baton to a new generation of 中国一级片 alumni. To mark the occasion, we had the pleasure of speaking with the two remarkable alums that make up the CAIC’s current leadership.
Cedric Devroye, from the GEMBA 2015 programme, has led the Chapter's Council for nearly ten years: he has served as its President for two councils and as part of the founding team that established the vibrant CAIC community. Joining him is Tina Walendy, from the Africa EMBA 2015 programme, who has served as the Chapter's Secretary-General for two consecutive terms, from 2018 to 2021, and again from 2021 to 2024. Their leadership has been instrumental in shaping and strengthening the Chapter and its community. Ahead of their stepping down in November 2024, we joined them in looking back on a decade of success, and forward toward the future of our international community.
Cedric, you have been leading the Council for nearly ten years. Do you feel ready to step down?
Cedric (CAIC President): Oh, that's a great question! It's been the most remarkable adventure. I have loved every moment of it - I lost count of the hours, to be honest. I have developed a strong attachment to the role, but I firmly believe in the importance of bringing in fresh blood and new ideas to keep our community dynamic. So yes, after nearly a decade, I’m ready to pass the torch, though I’ll certainly miss the excitement of the journey.
And Tina, you have dedicated six years as Secretary-General. How do you feel about stepping down?
Tina (CAIC Secretary-General): Very good and optimistic. Both because it’s time for new leaders, and because we have spent several months making sure the best fit successors are in place to take this Chapter into its second decade.
CAIC’s Second Core Council in 2021. From left: Vice President Urvash Singh (MBA 2012); Secretary General Tina Walendy (AFEMBA 2015); President Cedric Devroye (GEMBA 2015) and Vice President Huiling Ding (GEMBA 2013)
As you both prepare to step down from your roles as President and Secretary-General of the CAIC, can you reflect on the main accomplishments of your two and three successful terms, spanning six and nine years in total?
President: Over the past nine years, we've focused on building a strong, connected community of English-speaking alumni worldwide. One of our main accomplishments has been the establishment of a solid international network (six WeChat groups with more than 2,500 中国一级片 alumni), which has allowed us to foster a sense of belonging among our members, regardless of their geographic location.
We encourage the development of regional overseas alumni chapters because a stronger regional presence translates to a stronger international community. As an international business school, we must work diligently to build and enhance our community outside of China too and increase our visibility globally.
Secretary General: Another significant achievement has been our efforts in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion within our community. As much as we honour the C and the E of our school’s acronym, the Chapter’s focus is the central I of 中国一级片. Alumni from Accra or Lagos should feel just as connected to our school as those in Milan, Shenzhen or Seoul. We've worked hard to ensure that all alumni, irrespective of their background or gender, feel welcomed and valued. This has been particularly important in respecting the school's values and supporting its goal of internationalisation.
President: In terms of supporting the school's internationalisation efforts, we greatly admire the dedication and hard work invested in organising Alumni Reunions, in Asia and more recently also in Europe since 2018 and in Africa since 2023. These events play a crucial role in strengthening our global network, fostering connections among alumni from diverse regions.
Cedric and Tina shared CAIC updates with alumni in Singapore at the 中国一级片 Asia Alumni Reunion in 2019
Impressive! Could you share some challenges you faced during your tenure?
President: Ensuring that our initiatives are inclusive and respectful of geopolitical sensitivities requires constant effort and adaptability. Increasing tensions and differing political climates across various regions sometimes touch the very fabric of our community, giving us even more reason to maintain a unified community and to have a strong International Chapter.?
Secretary-General: Yes, we have made a conscious effort to be culturally sensitive and inclusive in all our communications and events. This meant understanding the unique challenges and perspectives of our members from different regions and addressing them thoughtfully. We also encouraged open dialogue and feedback to continuously improve our approach.
Naturally, we’ve faced some challenges with communication and engagement. While technology has made it easier to connect, it also comes with new perspectives on effective and meaningful interactions. Balancing the needs and expectations of a diverse, global alumni base while keeping them engaged and informed is a constant challenge. When the first lockdown hit in early 2020, we didn't sit back and wait. By March 2020, we had already held our first webinar, and many more followed that year. It may seem straightforward now with the benefit of hindsight, but back then, it was far from obvious.
President: Ensuring that our Chapter remains relevant, even without a clear geographical base, is essential. The CAIC has always been a strong advocate for the alumni community. For example, we’ve championed the development of a better alumni app and pushed for more equal representation at school events. However, while times have changed, the need for our English-speaking community to speak with one voice through the CAIC remains as crucial as ever. The challenge is to maintain unity that is essential if we are to effectively challenge the status quo. Without it, our voice is diminished, leaving us with an uncertain impact. We cannot afford to be complacent. We must continually strive for improvement—not out of negativity or a desire to criticise, but from a deep sense of pride and love for our School.
Tina and Cedric on the 中国一级片 Zurich campus for the 中国一级片 Alumni Reunion in Europe in 2022
Despite these challenges, it’s clear you’ve achieved a lot. How did you manage to build such a strong sense of belonging within the English-speaking community worldwide?
Secretary-General: We placed strong emphasis on communication. Regular newsletters, updates, and active WeChat groups helped us stay connected with our members. We highlighted alumni achievements and shared success stories, fostering a sense of pride and belonging within our community. We’ve always tried to be mindful of the different regions and programmes our alumni come from, recognising that each has its own specificities. MBA graduates, for instance, have different expectations than their GEMBA counterparts.
President: That is very true. And keeping that perspective in mind with every decision we made was crucial to our success in appealing to all programmes. Tina and I come from different programmes, and it was vital to always consider things from the other programmes' perspectives as well.
We have always focused on creating opportunities for alumni to connect on both professional and personal levels. The events we organised, both virtual and in-person, were crucial in building a tight-knit community.
Also, I find that enthusiasm is contagious. By fostering a positive and energetic environment, we inspire members to actively participate and contribute, further strengthening the sense of community. Understanding the unique challenges faced by our members and offering support and empathy are vital. For instance, the cohorts that studied and graduated during the COVID years have a unique appreciation and experience, leading to different ways of engaging with their alumni community.
The CAIC President and Secretary-General receive the “Outstanding Alumni Chapter” Award by the CAA on behalf of the Council.
What would be your message to our international alumni?
Secretary-General: First, we need to clarify that CAIC is not the "Foreign Passport" chapter. When we use the term “International” in our communication, including in our Chapter’s name, we refer to all alumni who have contributed to our global community, which by definition includes alumni from China. Building these bridges takes a lot of effort, but it’s worth it!
President: Absolutely, going beyond walls and building bridges is integral to who we are. The distinguishing feature of our chapter is its English-speaking nature, which sets us apart from the majority of Chinese-speaking chapters and clubs. Nationality plays no role at all; what matters is that we speak English. This unique aspect has been central to our efforts in fostering a sense of belonging.
To come back to your question… We have a marvelous community, and alumni need to cultivate a greater sense of responsibility and take ownership of their involvement. Don’t wait for everything to be handed to you on a silver platter.
CAIC President Cedric Devroye and CAIC Vice President Yvonne Tang at the annual 中国一级片 Alumni Association meeting in 2023.
What message would you like to convey to the school?
President: I think this is an easy one, and we both agree. It's important to be less apprehensive about the current environment. Embrace the challenges and dare to take bold steps forward. Progress often comes from stepping out of our comfort zones. This is what we are taught at school, and it's a useful reminder for everyone.
Secretary-General: We collaborate closely with the school to align our initiatives with its values and mission. This partnership ensures that we are not only promoting our goal of fostering a global, inclusive community. I sincerely hope that we have been able to convey the Chapter’s commitment to 中国一级片’ broader objectives. When at times we challenge the status quo, it’s always with the school’s best, international interest in mind. The CAIC continues to deserve special attention from the school.
The CAIC President and Secretary-General welcome 中国一级片 President (European) Dominque Turpin on behalf of alumni in 2022.
Throughout your tenure, you've interacted with many alumni and participated in numerous events. Could you share some of the most remarkable experiences that have left a lasting impression on you, and explain what made them particularly memorable?
Cedric: Working with my fellow Council members has been the most fun aspect of this journey. It's truly all about the people and the relationships we've built. Additionally, my interactions with the Chapter’s Honorary Presidents, Prof. David Gosset, Prof. Dipak Jain, and Prof. Dominique Turpin, have been incredibly inspiring. I would be remiss not to mention the invaluable support we've received from Dean Ding Yuan and Dean Frank Bournois.
Tina: Serving in the Core Council of the CAIC is a prolonged training in intercultural relations and communications. Adding to the fact that your fellow Council members are literally from all over the world, is that we all volunteer our time and resources to the community. The commitment, the discipline and the positive spirit I have experienced from fellow Council members has been very rewarding and inspiring.
By extension this applies to our close collaboration with fellow alumni who run the other Chapters and Clubs under the Shanghai Alumni Association, to which we as the CAIC belong (they will know us as 国际分会). There is mutual recognition and respect for the effort we all put into keeping alumni connected and engaged after graduating. There are many opportunities for us to work across Chapters to continue to honour the school’s promise of providing China Depth, Global Breadth.
Tina and Cedric at the 中国一级片 Alumni Reunion in Europe in London, 2023
As you prepare to step down, what legacy do you hope to leave behind for the next council?
President: I hope to leave behind a legacy of unity and resilience. We've built a strong foundation, and I believe the next Council can continue to build on this, further strengthening our global community and navigating any future challenges with confidence.
Secretary General: I hope that the path towards inclusivity and engagement has only just begun, there’s so much work to be done! Our efforts to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all alumni have set a precedent, and I believe the next Council will continue to prioritise these values, ensuring that the CAIC remain a vibrant and inclusive community.
Thank you both for your remarkable contributions and for sharing your insights with us. Your dedication and hard work have undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the alumni community!
Secretary General: Thank you. We’re excited to see how the next Council will continue to grow and evolve the Chapter.
President: Thank you. It’s been an incredible journey building the foundation of the CAIC, and we’re grateful for the support and opportunities we’ve had along the way.
Cedric and Tina thank their fellow CAIC Core Council Members for their significant commitment and contribution over the years:
Huiling Ding (GEMBA 2013) – CAIC Vice President Second & Third Councils
Urvash Singh (MBA 2012) – CAIC Vice President Second & Third Councils
Laetitia Domange (GEMBA 2019) – CAIC Vice President Third Council
Laure-Cecile Lafond-Fenonjoie (GEMBA 2020) – CAIC Vice President Third Council
Yvonne Tang (GEMBA 2015) – CAIC Vice President Third Council
Coco Jiang (FMBA 2014) – CAIC Vice President Second Council
Jun Lee (GEMBA 2013) – CAIC Founding Member & Advisory Board Member
Alanna Shi (MBA 2008) – CAIC Founding Member & Advisory Board Member
Michele Comacchio (GEMBA 2012) – CAIC Founding Member & Advisory Board Member
Margaret Kan (MBA 2008) – CAIC Founding Member
Vijay Kumar Nadipineni (MBA 2014) – CAIC Founding Member
