Exploring a career built in clinical operations within the pharmaceutical and life sciences environment, Eloïse Roussat brings a strong operational and strategic perspective to the BMI International Executive MBA in Brussels.
As Global Director – Portfolio Management / Clinical Operations at Baxter International Inc., she is responsible for complex global clinical programmes, cross-functional alignment, financial oversight, and decisions that connect operational execution with long-term value creation. As her role expanded into broader strategic responsibilities, Eloïse began looking for a structured way to strengthen her business, finance, and leadership foundations.
In this interview, she reflects on the leadership lessons learned in clinical operations, the decision to begin the EMBA journey after years of consideration, and why she believes there is rarely a perfect moment to invest in growth.
Can you tell us about your professional background and current role?
My professional journey has been built primarily in clinical operations within the pharmaceutical and life sciences environment. Over the years, I have progressed from operational roles to leading complex, global clinical programmes, where I am now responsible not only for execution, but also for strategic decision-making, cross-functional alignment, and financial oversight.
As my scope evolved into a Director-level role, I became more involved in broader business topics such as portfolio prioritisation, vendor strategy, budgeting, and organisational design. While I have gained strong experience through practice, I realised that to be truly effective as a senior leader, I needed to strengthen my foundation in business strategy, finance, and leadership beyond the technical and operational dimensions of my role.
Pursuing an Executive MBA is therefore a natural next step for me. It allows me to complement my industry expertise with a structured business perspective, sharpen my strategic thinking, and better connect operational decisions with long-term value creation.
What leadership lessons have you learned from navigating challenges in your industry?
Navigating challenges in clinical operations has taught me that effective leadership is less about having all the answers and more about creating clarity and trust in ambiguous situations. I have learned to make decisions with imperfect information, balancing risk, timing, and patient impact while remaining open to recalibration as new data emerges.
I have also come to appreciate the importance of simplifying complexity, translating regulatory, operational, and stakeholder challenges into clear priorities so teams can stay focused and confident. Equally important has been building an environment where people feel safe to speak up early, while still being accountable for outcomes.
Finally, driving change has reinforced for me that leadership is fundamentally human. Clear communication, authenticity, and keeping the patient purpose front and centre are what ultimately enable teams to navigate pressure, adapt, and perform at their best.
When did you first start considering an EMBA, and what motivated you to make the decision now?
Around eight years ago, I started seriously considering this journey, but I hesitated due to the workload at the time. My department was undergoing a significant transformation, which further increased the pressure and made me feel that I needed more time to mature my decision.
What ultimately convinced me was the EMBA format itself, along with the insights and feedback from alumni. They helped me realise that there is never a “perfect” moment to start; there will always be competing priorities. That perspective encouraged me to stop delaying and finally take the step.
What led you to choose BMI Executive Institute?
The BMI International Executive MBA schedule fits very well with my ability to work in parallel. In addition, the consortium of multiple universities offers a unique opportunity to select the most relevant courses from various institutions. This approach ensures high-quality training delivered by excellent speakers, making the programme feel very much like a boutique MBA experience.
I chose BMI Executive Institute because of its strong focus on leadership development within a real executive context, rather than purely functional or academic training. The International Executive MBA is clearly designed to support experienced leaders who must continue to deliver results while evolving their strategic perspective and leadership impact.
The programme’s part-time, executive-friendly structure allows me to pursue a demanding leadership role in parallel with the MBA, ensuring that learning is immediately applied to real organisational challenges. This integration between theory and practice is essential for developing reflective, impactful leadership.
What particularly differentiates BMI is its international consortium model, which brings together leading universities and a fully international faculty composed of senior academics and seasoned practitioners. This exposure to diverse leadership styles, governance models, and strategic approaches strengthens global leadership capabilities and broadens decision-making perspectives in complex, multicultural environments.
Finally, BMI’s positioning as a boutique executive school resonates strongly with my leadership philosophy. The emphasis on personalised attention, selective cohorts, ethical and human-centric leadership, and long-term personal transformation creates an environment where leaders are not only trained to perform, but to grow responsibly, influence meaningfully, and drive sustainable change.
What are you primarily seeking from your EMBA studies?
I am seeking an EMBA to deepen my expertise in corporate governance, financial strategy, and value creation, enabling me to contribute more confidently to strategic discussions and executive decision-making.
I also want to broaden my leadership perspective by working closely with experienced professionals from diverse backgrounds, learning from their approaches and challenges. This combination of advanced knowledge and peer learning will help me strengthen my ability to navigate complex environments, elevate my strategic thinking, and grow into a more impactful leader capable of driving sustainable organisational value.
Did you have any doubts before starting?
Yes, I did have doubts before starting the programme. One of my main concerns was the workload and the challenge of balancing the demands of the EMBA with my professional responsibilities and personal life. I was particularly mindful of maintaining performance at work while dedicating sufficient time and energy to the programme.
However, after careful reflection, I viewed this challenge as an integral part of the learning journey and a valuable opportunity to further strengthen my discipline, prioritisation, and resilience as a leader.
What can you already say about the studies? What are your first impressions?
I have only just begun the programme, but I am already truly impressed by the exceptional quality of the training, the expertise of the speakers, and the dynamic interactions within the group. From the very first sessions, I realised how much there is still to learn, including things I did not even know I did not know. This discovery is incredibly energising. It makes me even more excited and motivated to dive into the journey ahead and fully embrace everything this EMBA has to offer.
What advice would you give to other professionals considering an Executive MBA?
One belief I hold strongly is that there is never a perfect time to take a step towards growth. Our agendas are always full, responsibilities never pause, and waiting for the “right moment” often means postponing progress indefinitely. Leadership is built by choosing to move forward despite uncertainty. Committing to continuous learning is a powerful act of courage and self-belief; it keeps us open, curious, and evolving.
My advice to others is simple: “Don’t wait for the stars to align. Invest in yourself, stay humble enough to keep learning, and trust that growth will create its own momentum.”