Stephanie Hakmeh has had quite a journey from her motivations to her trailblazing career in big tech. With a background in computer science and programme management, she joined the ESCP MSc in Digital Transformation & Leadership (MDT) to deepen her expertise in digital transformation and develop a more strategic, customer-centric approach to solving complex challenges. Today, she is crafting a thriving career through big tech companies like Meta and Google, armed with the skills, tools, and mindset she gained during her time at ESCP to drive meaningful impact in the fast-evolving world of technology.
Stephanie’s story reflects how the MSc in Digital Transformation & Leadership empowers students to transition into digital leadership roles and thrive in a fast-paced, technology-driven world.
Q: What motivated you to pursue the MSc in Digital Transformation & Leadership? How did it align with your background and future goals?
I graduated with a BSc in Computer Science in 2011 and started my career as a software engineer before transitioning into programme management. Over the first eight years of my career, I focused on driving digital transformation initiatives for government entities in the Gulf region, primarily through automating operational services and enabling more efficient processes.
I pursued the MSc in Digital Transformation & Leadership programme with two key goals in mind: first, to deepen my expertise in digital transformation by learning to leverage the latest technologies; and second, to build on my technical background by developing stronger strategic thinking and customer-centric approaches.
Ultimately, my aim was to equip myself with the skills and perspective needed to tackle complex challenges and deliver innovative, scalable solutions in today’s rapidly evolving digital world.
Q: How would you describe the programme in a few sentences? What were the highlights or standout moments for you?
I had the wonderful opportunity of being part of the first cohort for the MDT programme at ESCP! The curriculum struck just the right balance between theoretical knowledge and practical application, making it both comprehensive and engaging. Its interdisciplinary approach—bringing together technology, business, and human behaviour—was a rewarding learning experience.
What also set the programme apart were the professors, in particular Terence Tse, Davide Sola, and Marie Taillard who combined academic expertise with real-world industry experience. Their insights provided us with a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities in digital transformation.
Some of the standout moments for me included the trip to Amazon’s Tilbury, England warehouse, where we saw firsthand how robots are used to meet the demand for online Amazon orders. The robotics workshop with Comau, an Italian automation company, was another highlight—we got hands-on experience programming robots onsite at ESCP.
Finally, collaborating with Orange, the international telecommunications company, to develop 5G use cases for the entertainment industry was a challenging and eye-opening opportunity to apply what we’d learned to real-world scenarios. Seeing the real client react to our proposal was such a rewarding experience!
Q: How has the programme shaped your career since graduating? Are there any specific learnings or skills you gained that you still apply in your work today?
Pursuing a master’s degree is often about strengthening specific areas of expertise and expanding knowledge, and the programme delivered on both fronts.
Since graduating, I’ve taken on several roles, with my most recent being Programme Manager for Google Cloud. Before stepping into this position, my knowledge of cloud services and network infrastructure was very limited. I drew on my learnings from the MDT programme on how to quickly grasp new technologies, their applications, and understand my role within their context.
One of the key skills I rely on is design thinking. Whenever I approach a problem, I go back to the basics learned during the course: what are the pain points, what does the customer need, and what’s the ‘job to be done’.
Another invaluable learning has been strategic, innovative, and scalable thinking. In an environment like Google, this ability is critical when envisioning what the next 5 years might look like. It enables me to contribute to long-term strategic planning and with the objective of delivering sustainable, impactful outcomes.
Safe to say that the programme didn’t just teach me theories—it gave me tools and a mindset.
Q: How has your career evolved since completing the MSc in Digital Transformation & Leadership?
After completing the MDT programme, I entered a discovery phase to explore various career options, which ultimately led me to the world of big tech. I began as a Trust and Safety Programme Manager at Meta, where I gained valuable insights into the misuse of social media platforms and how automation is leveraged to prevent bad actors.
Soon after, I was approached by Google with an opportunity that better aligned with my technical background. I transitioned into my current role as a Programme Manager in the Global Network Delivery team within the Google Cloud organization. My team ensures that Google users and customers worldwide have the necessary capacity at the Edge of the internet to connect seamlessly to our product areas, including YouTube, Search, G Suite, Cloud services, etc.
What I find most exciting about my role is the immense scale of the programmes we deliver, the opportunity to work with globally distributed teams, and the chance to collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Google also fosters a culture of continuous improvement, where we’re encouraged to enhance processes, increase efficiencies, and deliver impact that extends beyond the immediate scope of our projects.
It’s been an incredibly rewarding journey, and I’m excited to see how it continues to evolve.
Q: What advice would you give to students who are interested in digital transformation and emerging technologies? How can they prepare to succeed in this field?
Digital transformation is a constantly evolving field and staying updated on all the emerging technologies can be overwhelming. The key is to stay curious and keep learning. Taking steps towards your topics of interest – however small they may be – is one way to keep you moving forward.
Successful digital transformation requires collaboration between technical and non-technical stakeholders. Solid communication and collaboration skills are key. Work on your ability to break down complex problems and align stakeholders toward common goals.
Develop your critical thinking through practical experience. Practice identifying and solving real-world problems by applying knowledge of design thinking, strategy planning, change management, etc. Digital transformation is less about the technology itself and more about how it creates value for users and businesses.
Be open to experimentation. Emerging technologies often involve ambiguity and rapid change. Have an adaptable mindset and be open to experimentation to thrive in this dynamic field.
Stephanie’s journey reflects the transformative power of the MSc in Digital Transformation & Leadership, where students not only learn to navigate the digital landscape but also to lead it. Her career—spanning roles at Meta and Google—is a testament to the programme’s impact, equipping graduates with the tools, skills, and mindset needed to thrive in the most dynamic industries.
Stephanie Hakmeh is a 2021 graduate of the MSc in Digital Transformation & Leadership at ESCP Business School, part of the first cohort of the programme. Originally from Lebanon, she has a background in computer science and over a decade of experience in end-to-end IT programme management and implementation. She began her career as a software engineer, later transitioning into programme management roles where she led digital transformation initiatives for government entities in the Gulf region. Since graduating from ESCP, she has held significant positions at Meta and Google, where she continues to drive innovative, impactful and scalable solutions in the technology sector.