Claire Châtaignier (IIM 2017), Innovation Consultant at KPMG
At IIM Digital School, Claire Châtaignier learned to test, create, and take risks. As president of Pôletech, with a passion for audiovisual media and a curiosity about all aspects of the digital world, she has forged a career path that reflects the school’s ethos: hybrid, creative, and resolutely focused on innovation.
A 2017 graduate and now an Innovation Consultant at KPMG, she leads strategic workshops for executives at France’s largest companies. As the recipient of an Alumni Award on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Pôle Léonard de Vinci, she reflects on the people she’s met, the projects she’s worked on, and the lessons she’s learned that have shaped her professional journey.
Can you explain the three stages of your career path?
“After graduating from IIM, I started at IBM on the AI team. Then I moved to IBM’s innovation teams, and today I’m at KPMG, working on the innovation teams.”
Can you tell us about your job?
“My job at KPMG Innovation is to lead workshops for executives at CAC 40 companies to inspire them about the future of a particular function or sector. I also lead a second type of workshop that’s more action-oriented, with the goal of developing a new roadmap.”
What do you particularly enjoy about your job?
“First, the close relationship with executives; you really feel like you’re at the heart of the issues and concerns of our top leaders.
Second, active listening and empathy, since we actually have to address the issues that arise.
Finally, I’d say it’s creativity. We often have to come up with new ideas and approaches to best meet our clients’ needs.”
What are your current challenges?
“AI! I don’t think this is anything new at all—we can see that it’s a real concern. People need concrete solutions, and it’s our responsibility to inspire them, but also to bring things back down to earth, so to speak, in order to develop a real action plan.”
What are the key factors for success in your field?
“Building on what already exists—there’s no point in reinventing the wheel. In any case, at KPMG, we really have a wide range of experts, technological resources, and an international network. So it’s important to build on what they need: the right content, the right expert, and the right methodology.”
How have your studies contributed to who you are today?
“I think there are three key points.
First, experimentation. Every week, we were asked to prototype, pitch, and challenge our ideas. This is essential for arriving at work on day one with a truly concrete approach.
Second, I think it’s the people. Beyond the instructors, who were truly insightful, it’s also the emphasis on empathy and active listening that allows us to be truly open to market expectations.
Third, it’s about openness and fostering passion. At the Léonard de Vinci Campus, we had a wide range of student organizations, corporate immersion programs, work-study opportunities, and an international perspective. All of this greatly enriched who we are and truly nourished us in many different ways.”
Do you have any advice for someone looking to pursue a career like yours?
“I think what’s important is to realize that you don’t just need theoretical knowledge—practical experience is incredibly important. If you know how to prototype, create, and pitch, you’ll already bring a lot of skills to the table when you join a company, and that’s a real differentiator that can also help you climb the ranks faster.”
What role can the alumni community play?
“First of all, it’s in recruitment. I’m lucky to have a work-study student on my team named Gaëlle who’s pursuing the IIM-EMLV dual degree. As a professional in the field, I asked the IIM network to recommend some standout candidates who might be a good fit for the work I’m doing today.
I also offer my expertise by teaching courses. I had the opportunity to teach design thinking courses at IIM a while back.
And then, there’s reconnecting with people! We spent so much time together in student organizations that it’s important to catch up, see how everyone has grown and evolved, and potentially rebuild those connections together!”
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