KPMG ESG auditor and Ukrainian activist Olha Vasyliv reveals how a Master in Sustainability and Social Innovation at HEC Paris has helped her understand what is a social innovator
Gen Z has inherited a world in need of saving. According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, 2024 is the hottest year on record, meanwhile the UN has declared it to be the deadliest year in history for humanitarian workers—due to conflicts such as Palestine and Ukraine.
It’s no surprise that 37% of Gen Z say that being involved with meaningful work is their number one career priority.
Few people embody this sentiment more than Ukrainian immigrant Olha Vasyliv (pictured right) an HEC Paris Master’s in Sustainability and Social Innovation graduate now working as an ESG auditor with KPMG.
Within her role Olha identifies greenwashing in major corporations, that’s alongside working as a social innovator operating a startup geared towards those caught in the conflict in her native Ukraine.
But what is a social innovator in business? And how did a business master’s help Olha become able to make an impact?
What is a social innovator?
If you ask Olha, the definition of a social innovator is simple: “In many cases, people think of social innovation as something groundbreaking, but it really isn't. It's about your imagination and creativity. It’s about understanding the resources you have that can be applied to a new situation.”
Born in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, Olha always dreamt of pursuing social and environmental justice. She won a scholarship to study a bachelor’s in sociology in the US, and from there she aimed to enter the field of journalism or sociology research.
Olha’s ultimate plan was to return home. But, in February 2022, Russian forces invaded Ukraine. Olha quickly realized that despite her family and friends still living there, there was no safe way to go back.
“I wasn’t sure I'd be able to pursue my dream,” she says.
To reconfigure her life, Olha decided to move to France, a country where she had previously studied. It was in Paris where she was first inspired to help her homeland.
After noticing the surge of Ukrainian refugees who couldn’t speak French and who were struggling to access resources, Olha volunteered at the Ukrainian embassy, where she helped manage cultural events to connect those fleeing the war.
Her humanitarian work exposed Olha to many of the faults that exist within public institutions, hindering aid.
“I realized there was a lack of management skills, efficiency, and communication,” she says. Looking to sharpen her business skillset, Olha quickly came upon the HEC Paris Master in Sustainability and Social Innovation program.
Offering customizable courses such as Climate Change Economics, Biodiversity Policies, and Business and Human Rights, it appeared specifically designed for students to become changemakers in business—perfect for Olha’s altruistic ambitions.
What social innovation skills can you learn at business school?
A major draw for Olha was the HEC Paris focus on green energy consumption and the energy transition, which emphasizes using renewable energy in a less costly way than traditional fossil fuels.
Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, the subject of renewable energy has become a key humanitarian and environmental issue. It’s a hardship Olha knows well: “There were times my parents had to refrigerate their food on the balcony because there was no electricity.”
The degree also covered a range of pertinent social issues, including optional courses such as Sustainable Urban Development and Innovation, AI, and Impact. These resonated deeply with Olha.
“The social aspect of war is very important because of migration and refugees, as well as people who are traumatized by the situation,” she says.
Perhaps most significantly, the program brought Olha into a community of like-minded students through the Imagine Fellowship; a funding program offered to candidates from war-torn regions.
Olha took part in projects through the fellowship, including providing mental health materials for art therapy for kids in a Ukrainian school, which involved hiring therapists to run the sessions.
“The first step for me to start accepting war and how I perceive it was through stepping foot on the HEC Paris campus. I met peers who understood me.”
How to use a master’s as a social innovator?
After graduating from the HEC Paris program, Olha found a job as an ESG specialist at KPMG—one of the Big Four accounting firms.
A major part of Olha’s role today involves examining various aspects of the company’s supply chain and conducting an audit of the ethical practices involved in sourcing materials.
Questions she regularly asks companies include: Where are materials being sourced from? Are workers further down the supply chain being paid a fair wage?
“My hope is that is that I will be able to spot the things that they don't understand in their value chain and highlight risk areas,” she explains.
On top of her role at KPMG, Olha also works as an admissions officer for the Ukraine Global Scholars mentorship program, which aims at helping low-income Ukrainian students access education in the US.
This involves hosting webinars in the US and informing students of education and scholarship opportunities.
It’s a lot to take on, but Olha says she is grateful for the support she continues to receive from the HEC Paris network: “It’s great having HEC Paris to pick me up if I shatter.”
Using the skills and the connections Olha picked up on her master’s, she is actively innovating a better future others, as well as herself.
“My ultimate dream is to show my partner a peaceful Ukraine. I want to make him try traditional Ukrainian food, to go to my grandma's village, to look at the house where I spent my summers, to do my usual hiking route when we go to the mountains, and, hopefully, to go to the beautiful beach there with the big views of the sunset.”
I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.
Sarah
Verified
18/03/2022
On Campus
Internationality and diversity of opportunities
About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.
Student
Verified
29/10/2021
On Campus
Great selection of people
While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.
Veronique
Verified
28/10/2021
Blended
Best in France for Grande ecole
A prestigious business school. Languages are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments.
The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.
Ghadi
Verified
11/06/2022
On Campus
Diversity and quality of fellow students
Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.
Student
Verified
27/03/2022
On Campus
The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs
The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.
Lb
Verified
26/03/2022
On Campus
HEC Paris awaits you
HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.
Rajarshi
Verified
28/10/2021
Blended
A dream institute
Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions.
The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!
Student
Verified
19/10/2021
On Campus
Good choice for a career boost
The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.
Student
Verified
7/07/2022
On Campus
Cultural experience
I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.
Sarah
Verified
18/03/2022
On Campus
Internationality and diversity of opportunities
About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.
Student
Verified
29/10/2021
On Campus
Great selection of people
While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.
Veronique
Verified
28/10/2021
Blended
Best in France for Grande ecole
A prestigious business school. Languages are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments.
The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.
Ghadi
Verified
11/06/2022
On Campus
Diversity and quality of fellow students
Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.
Student
Verified
27/03/2022
On Campus
The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs
The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.
Lb
Verified
26/03/2022
On Campus
HEC Paris awaits you
HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.
Rajarshi
Verified
28/10/2021
Blended
A dream institute
Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions.
The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!
Student
Verified
19/10/2021
On Campus
Good choice for a career boost
The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.
Student
Verified
1/06/2024
On Campus
Diverse
HEC, as an academic institution, serves as a launching pad for students to excel in their pursuits and careers. The diversity among students and professors is truly remarkable. The chance to attend seminars across five major continents is unparalleled. The exposure and relationships it fosters are invaluable.
Student
Verified
31/05/2024
On Campus
Super diverse
It's a super diverse and fascinating environment with tons of chances, but the management is very French, and the facilities like the gym and classrooms are not great. This makes the academic side quite ineffective. Plus, we're graded on a curve, leading to a competitive and sometimes toxic atmosphere. Despite all that, the benefits definitely overshadow the drawbacks.
John
Verified
10/06/2024
On Campus
Surreal academic experience
What stood out to me about HEC was the direction and insight it offered on coding approaches. Prior to joining the program, I attempted self-learning, but I felt disoriented and lacked a starting point.HEC enabled me to grasp the basics of programming and provided support when I encountered obstacles. Without that guidance, I doubt I would have achieved the progress I have made to date.
John
Verified
10/06/2024
On Campus
Good security
HEC boasts a dedicated team of security personnel who undergo rigorous training to ensure the perpetual maintenance of tranquility and orderliness within the institution. Their unwavering efforts are directed towards fostering a sense of security among the student body, thereby enabling them to channel their energies predominantly towards their academic pursuits.
Student
Verified
17/07/2024
On Campus
Innovative teaching method
I am thoroughly enjoying my time at HEC, from the innovative teaching methods to the welcoming campus environment, which is particularly supportive of international students. The extracurricular opportunities, such as sports and associations, are incredibly valuable. Additionally, the career services offered are exceptional. Overall, I find my experience at HEC to be truly enriching.
Student
Verified
3/10/2024
On Campus
mim
HEC Paris has been a transformative experience for me. The caliber of the faculty, the diversity of the student body, and the global network it offers are unmatched. The curriculum is highly flexible, allowing students to tailor their learning experience to their career goals, and the focus on real-world application through case studies and consulting projects provides invaluable hands-on experience. The campus itself is beautiful, and the opportunities to engage with leading companies through internships, competitions, and networking events have been incredible. HEC truly prepares you to be a leader in today's complex business world. I couldn’t have asked for a better program to propel my career forward.
Student
Verified
21/09/2024
On Campus
Unwavering enthusiasm
Here's the first paragraph:
I embarked on a journey to Paris, where HEC University welcomed me with open arms. As I stepped onto its prestigious campus, I was captivated by the infectious energy and innovative spirit that filled the air. The passionate faculty, industry experts, and fellow visionaries from around the globe shared their knowledge with unwavering enthusiasm."
Student
Verified
9/10/2024
On Campus
Exceptional Experience
HEC offers an exceptional experience that I highly recommend. The small-town setting allows for a unique blend of academic rigor and community engagement. The peaceful campus and close-knit student body create a warm environment. Proactive engagement with professors yields valuable guidance. Friendships may blossom slowly, but persistence pays off. The city's beauty, scenic views, and diverse eateries near campus enrich the experience. University dining may not impress, but it's decent.
