At IE New York College, students don’t leave the transition from academic life to professional opportunity to chance. Instead, they actively shape their futures.
The Master of Science in Business for Social Impact and Sustainability is designed to enable students to shape a future where positive change and profit aren’t mutually exclusive. Its holistic curriculum, bridging business insights and sustainable, future-ready solutions, prepares students to leave a mark on whichever organizations they pursue their careers in.
Two recent graduates, Gilles Raynaud and Sali Alkaabi, shared with us how their time at IENYC created pathways to meaningful careers.
Gilles Raynaud, from Switzerland, arrived in New York for his master’s degree program, ready for action. His strong ambitions were shaped by a childhood spent living in seven different countries and his early experiences in blockchain technology.
Having gained a strong foundation through his Bachelor in Business Administration at IE University in Madrid, Gilles went on to pursue his Master of Science in Business for Social Impact and Sustainability at IENYC thanks to its access to New York’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and valuable networking opportunities. While studying at IENYC, he co-founded KIBO, a cross-border foreign exchange and payments infrastructure venture.
IENYC’s integration with New York’s business community was critical for his vision.
“Attending industry events across crypto, financial services and startups enabled me to build meaningful connections that translated into partnerships and early opportunities for KIBO,” he explains. “Consistent networking led to incremental wins that compounded over time.”
The program’s applied approach built on this foundation. Guest speakers from private equity, sovereign wealth funds, transition finance, compliance and AI were accessible beyond lectures.
A consulting project with a publicly-listed payment service provider enabled Gilles to work directly with senior executives on real business challenges, and his Capstone Project allowed him to further analyze and improve KIBO’s viability and design.
Beyond coursework, Gilles co-founded the Venture Capital & Private Equity Club, the first student organization of its kind at IENYC. His aim to connect students to investors and operators resonated with his peers, and events frequently exceeded capacity. Through the club, he was able to collaborate with organizations at IE University and Stanford, deepening his engagement in New York’s ecosystem.
Sali Alkaabi’s path shows how IENYC prepares graduates for roles that bridge the regional and international. Coming from the UAE and with a background in talent development and strategic communications, Sali sought a graduate degree that would help her develop the skills needed to drive social and environmental change. The MS in Business for Social Impact and Sustainability was exactly what she was looking for.
The program’s international community deepened her understanding of how values influence business decisions. Working with peers from different backgrounds reinforced the importance of long-term thinking and integrity when designing responsible solutions.
Her most meaningful achievement came from her Capstone Project with the Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the United States.
“I engaged in work connected to global sustainability and diplomacy while representing my country in an international setting. The project combined my academic learning, professional skills and personal values,” she said.
That experience put Sali precisely where she wanted to be professionally: pursuing projects that connect global best practices to local needs, particularly ones contributing to sustainable development and innovation in the UAE and surrounding regions.
What sets IENYC apart isn’t just location, though being in New York certainly helps. Its integration of academic rigor with professional opportunity opens doors to countless career opportunities for students. The program’s access to industry leaders, projects with real-world applications and a diverse, cutting-edge ecosystem make all the difference.
For Gilles, that difference meant being able to build a business while gaining expertise. For Sali, it meant representing her country on a global level while developing strategic capabilities. Both graduates emphasize that IENYC went beyond preparing them for careers and actively created the conditions for those careers to begin.
“IENYC played an important role in shaping both my professional trajectory and values as a founder,” Gilles reflects. “The emphasis on responsible leadership and having been encouraged to build purposeful solutions continues to guide my work today.”
Sali agrees. “IENYC encouraged me to remain true to my values while navigating a global, fast-paced environment. I gained the skills needed to develop ambitious, yet practical solutions grounded in a strong sense of purpose.”
Their experiences confirm that IENYC provides an education that goes beyond opening doors. It helps students build entirely new paths forward.
Ready to build your career in New York? Make your move.
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