Joël Tronchon, PGE 1994: An Engaged Alumnus for an Inspiring Start to the Year

As part of the 2025 official back-to-school event held at the Patinoire Pôle Sud in Grenoble, Joël Tronchon, a graduate of Grenoble Ecole de Management and Global VP Sustainability – Divisions & Zones at L’Oréal, was one of the keynote speakers, alongside GEM’s leadership, students, and the Brûleurs de Loups hockey team.

In front of more than 1,500 students, Joël authentically shared his professional journey, which began in an NGO and continued through major companies such as SEB, Casino, and L’Oréal. A common thread throughout his career: social and environmental impact.

His speech left a lasting impression, thanks to the strength of his convictions and the richness of his advice:

- Embrace pragmatic sustainability with triple impact (social, environmental, economic)

- Foster trust, ethics, and respect for people

- Encourage critical thinking, including from one’s own teams

- Rely on strong, diverse teams guided by trustworthy mentors

- Change paths when you stop learning

- Value the hybridization of experiences and knowledge, especially soft skills and the humanities (psychology, sociology, philosophy, geopolitics)

And above all… maintain a sense of humor and irony!

Joël concluded by quoting Vladimir Jankélévitch: “Don’t miss your one and only spring morning,” encouraging students to fully embrace this formative chapter of their lives.