Alexandre Guillard

Background

About Alexandre Guillard

My career has been shaped by a simple conviction: research alone isn't enough. From my early days studying sociology at GEMASS (Paris Sorbonne University), one question has captivated me: how does cooperation actually work in the real world? From Research to Action: This question compelled me to venture beyond academia and pursue an entrepreneurial path where I could test my hypotheses in practice. I co-founded a consulting firm specializing in strategic procurement, then joined leading firms like PwC and EFESO to spearhead complex organizational transformations. The Corporate Laboratory: I subsequently moved in-house, taking executive positions as Head of Transformation at major corporations including CNP Assurances and Covéa. These years served as an invaluable testing ground for applying and refining collective intelligence frameworks at scale. ‍ Bridging Worlds through Action Research: Today, I've come full circle. As Associate Director of the ESSEC Chairs, I draw on this dual perspective to connect academia with the corporate world. I'm convinced that the most meaningful knowledge emerges through collaboration. My current research on Generative AI, Change Tech, and Operational Excellence reflects this action-research philosophy—an approach I also advance at Sol France (Society for Organizational Learning) through our "collective researcher" initiative. My mission remains unchanged: to transform organizations by generating practical, actionable knowledge.