They agreed to take part in the Cité de la réussite 2026, november 21,22

Bilal Alnemr was born in Damascus, in Syria. He discovered the violin at a very young age with a small instrument given to him by his father, and developed a passion for classical music, winning national competitions in Syria at the age of 11. Spotted by French teachers, he joined the Conservatoire d’Aix-en-Provence in 2010 and went on to study in Paris at the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse. He then furthered his studies at the Barenboim-Said Akademie in Berlin and performed with prestigious orchestras, including the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra. In 2019, he founded the Vauvenargues Festival to thank the village that welcomed him and his family during the war in Syria, and to promote musical exchanges between Syria and the wider world. His journey symbolises art as a vehicle for dialogue between cultures.

Jacques Aschenbroich is a French business executive and has been Chairman of the Board of Directors at Orange from 2022 to 2026. A graduate of the École des Mines, he began his career in the civil service, notably in the Prime Minister’s office in 1987–1988. He then joined Saint-Gobain, where he held several senior management positions in France and internationally, notably in Brazil, Germany and the United States, before becoming Deputy Chief Executive of the group. In 2009, he joined Valeo, where he served first as Chief Executive Officer and then as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer until 2022, before becoming Chairman of the Board of Directors and subsequently Honorary Chairman. He is also Lead Director of TotalEnergies, Chair of the Governance Committee at BNP Paribas. He is recognised for his industrial experience and his expertise in the governance of major international groups.

A graduate of the École nationale de la statistique et de l’administration économique (ENSAE) in 1996 and the École nationale d’administration (ENA) in 2000, Maya Atig began her career at the French Treasury Directorate, where she held various positions until 2016. She then joined the Fédération nationale du Crédit Agricole as Deputy CEO, overseeing finance and risk management for the regional banks. Since March 2020, she has served as CEO of the French Banking Federation (FBF), where she is known for her commitment to diversity and key economic and financial issues. Her career reflects recognized expertise in both the public and banking sectors, with a strong focus on macroeconomic and social challenges.

Gilles August, who co-founded August Debouzy with former diplomat Olivier Debouzy, has led the firm since 1995. A member of the Paris and New York bars, he specializes in mergers and acquisitions and private equity, while also practicing in the areas of corporate law, commercial litigation, arbitration, and business criminal law. For more than thirty years, he has advised key players in the French and international economies. Driven by a modern vision of legal counsel, Gilles August has always dedicated his firm to innovation and entrepreneurship. The Start You Up program, which he launched in 2013 to help French startups grow, and the Olivier Debouzy Award, which he presents each year to the most innovative legal thought leader, are testament to this. Knight of the Legion of Honor and Officer of the National Order of Merit, he was named “Lawyer of the Year” in institutional relations by Best Lawyers for the 2026 edition.

CEO and founder of the investment company Blue like an Orange Sustainable Capital, he works to finance projects likely to generate a positive impact in emerging countries. Managing Director of the World Bank until 2016 and former Chief Financial Officer of Société Générale and Crédit Agricole, he is also the author of numerous articles and books on globalisation and the international financial system, including "Money honnie: what if finance could change the world?" (2016), or "Do we (seriously) want to change the world?" (2020)

Kahina Bahloul is France’s first female imam. Born to a Kabyle father from a family of marabouts and a French mother of Jewish and Catholic heritage, Kahina Bahloul grew up in Algeria, where she witnessed the rise of fundamentalism firsthand. After earning a Master’s degree in Islamic Studies at the École Pratique des Hautes Études, she pursued a Ph.D. on the thought of Ibn Arabi, a 12th-century Sufi theologian and poet. She decided to become more actively involved following the 2015 attacks. She then launched the channel and association “Parle-moi d’islam” (educational online videos on Islam, secularism, and living together). She regularly speaks on topics related to interfaith dialogue, Sufism, and women. Kahina Bahloul has identified as an imam since the spring of 2019. Drawing on classical sources to assert the legitimacy of women serving as imams, leading prayers, and teaching, she founded the Fatima Mosque in 2019, a Sufi-inspired space open to women—whether veiled or not—as well as to non-Muslims. Kahina Bahloul is now active on all fronts, advocating for the possibility of a modern and liberal Islam. Winner of the 2022 Mare Nostrum Prize for "Mon islam, ma liberté" ("My Islam, My Freedom") in 2021). She is also co-author of "Des femmes et des dieux" (2021).

Maud Bailly is a graduate of ENS-Ulm, Sciences Po and ENA (promotion République). She joined the Inspectorate General of Finance in 2007, where she carried out a number of strategic and financial audit assignments in partnership with international institutions (World Bank, IMF, etc.). In 2011, she joined SNCF, where she was successively appointed Director of the Paris-Montparnasse station, Deputy Director of the TGV product for the Paris region, and then Director of the Trains business line. In 2015, she joined the cabinet of Prime Minister Manuel Valls as Head of Economic and Digital Affairs. In 2017, she joined Accor as Director of Digital Strategy, where she steered the group's technological transformation. At the end of this mission, she was chosen to develop Accor's business in Southern Europe. In 2023, she was appointed Managing Director of Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems and joined the Executive Committee of the Luxury & Lifestyle division of Accor.

Julien Bancilhon, psychologist at the Antony Day Hospital and editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Le Papotin", a publication founded in 1990 by Driss El Kesri, an educator at the Antony Day Hospital, which is run by an editorial board comprising around forty journalists with autism spectrum disorders. The spin-off programme, “Les rencontres du Papotin”, launched based on an idea by directors Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache (“The Intouchables”), is the highlight of the autumn 2022 season at France Télévisions, and has notably welcomed the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron. Since then, numerous figures from the worlds of culture, sport and politics have taken part in the “Papotin” journalists’ unconventional interviews.

Marie-Anne Barbat-Layani is a graduate of Sciences Po Paris and the École nationale d’administration. She dedicated nearly 20 years to public service, notably at the Directorate-General of the Treasury and the Permanent Representation of France to the European Union. She also served as a technical advisor in the office of the Minister of the Economy and later as Deputy Director for Banks and Public Interest Financing.
She then moved to the financial sector as Deputy CEO of the Fédération nationale du Crédit Agricole, before becoming Deputy Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister in 2010. After a period at the Inspection générale des finances, she led the French Banking Federation and the Association française des banques from 2014 to 2019. She subsequently served as Secretary General of the Ministry of the Economy and Finance, and was appointed Chair of the Autorité des marchés financiers in 2022.

Olivia Barreau, a trained actress, founded the Moi & Mes Enfants association in 2017 to support single-parent families. Committed to the cause, she has helped over 2,000 families, organized 450 events, and created two solidarity-based community spaces in Paris. These inclusive and accessible spaces are designed for single-parent families, but are open to everyone. As France’s ambassador for World Single Parent Day 2025, she advocates for the recognition and autonomy of single parents in France.

Pierre Bessé is CEO of Bessé, a family-run, independent company based in Nantes. As a specialist in insurance consultancy, he pushes back the boundaries to improve risk management for medium-sized and large companies. His company has topped the risk manager satisfaction rankings for the fourth year running. At the dawn of the 2010s, Pierre Bessé was one of the first voices to urge entrepreneurs to protect themselves against the cyber threat. He has also been involved in the fight against cancer for many years, working with the Institut Curie and the Institut Gustave Roussy to train managers in the challenges of working with cancer.

Born in Beirut (Lebanon), of Swiss and British nationality, Samantha Besson holds a doctorate in international law. She began her career as a post-doctoral researcher at Columbia Law School (USA) and then at Oxford University (UK). She has been Professor of Public International Law and European Law at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) since 2005, and is also a visiting lecturer at numerous universities and law schools around the world. A specialist in international, European and comparative human rights and democracy law, she regularly advises the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. A member of the Committee of the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences and an associate member of the Institute of International Law, she will be appointed professor at the Collège de France in 2019. As holder of the ‘International Law of Institutions’ chair, she is continuing her work on innovation in the international institutional order.

Jean-Michel Blanquer is a jurist and professor of public law, holding a master's degree in philosophy and a DEA (postgraduate diploma) in political science from Sciences Po Paris. He worked as a researcher at the French Institute of Andean Studies in Bogota until 1991, then taught law at Panthéon-Assas University and later at the University of Tours. As a professor of public law at Sciences Po Lille, he directed the Institute of Advanced Latin American Studies at Paris 3-Sorbonne Nouvelle University until 2004, before being appointed Rector of French Guiana. In October 2006, he joined the Ministry of National Education as deputy chief of staff to the minister. He later served as Rector of the Créteil Academy and then as Director General of School Education (Dgesco) at the Ministry of National Education from 2010 to 2012. In 2013, he became Director General of ESSEC Business School. In May 2017, he was appointed Minister of National Education. In March 2024, he took over as President of Terra Academia, a school for ecological transformation launched by Veolia.

Marianne Blayau is an important figure in music education in France, known for her commitment to promoting artistic practice in schools. She is the founder and general director of Orchestre à l'école, an organization created in 2008 to develop orchestras within schools. As early as 2004, she played an active role in setting up the project, helping to structure and expand it across the country. Her work is based on a strong belief: collective music practice is a powerful tool for academic success and personal development. Thanks to her dedication, thousands of students, often with limited access to culture, have the opportunity to learn an instrument as part of a group. She promotes essential values such as cooperation, perseverance, and equal opportunities through arts education.

A graduate of the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris, Guillaume Borie is a member of AXA’s Executive Committee. He has spent most of his career at AXA, which he joined in 2009. After several years in the Group Communications Department, he became Secretary to the Group’s Board of Directors and Chief of Staff to AXA’s CEO in 2013. In 2016, he was appointed Chief Strategy Officer, leading the preparation and rollout of the Ambition 2020 plan, “From Payer to Partner.” Appointed Group Chief Innovation Officer in 2017, he focused in particular on accelerating innovation initiatives in health-related services and technology partnerships. In late 2019, Guillaume Borie was appointed Deputy CEO of AXA France, overseeing all property and casualty insurance activities for individual, professional, and corporate clients, as well as managing the network of 3,000 AXA France General Agents and relationships with 1,200 partner brokers. He is currently Director of Finance, Strategy, Underwriting, Risk and Technology at AXA. Guillaume Borie is also President of Orchestre à l’école, an association founded in 2008 to develop school orchestras.

Laure Boulleau is a former French international soccer player and a renowned media consultant. She joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2005, where she played for thirteen seasons as a left back. She won the Coupe de France in 2010, reached the Champions League final in 2015, and helped establish PSG as a leading force in French women’s soccer. By the end of her career in 2018, she was among the players with the most appearances in the club’s history. Laure Boulleau competed in two World Cups (2011 and 2015), the 2013 European Championship, and the 2012 London Olympics. Known for her high standards, her tactical intelligence, and her leadership, she has established herself as one of the most influential figures of her generation. Laure Boulleau continues her commitment to soccer as a consultant for Canal+, where she appears on “Canal Football Club” and “Canal Champions Club”. As an entrepreneur, speaker, and content creator, she also collaborates with numerous brands and supports initiatives promoting the development of women’s sports.

A partner in August Debouzy’s Public, Regulatory, and Environmental Law team since 2014, Vincent Brenot has more than 25 years of experience in public and environmental law. He advises French and international clients on public contracts, foreign investment controls, and parliamentary inquiries. He also advises on renewable energy, the circular economy, and contaminated sites and soils, particularly in connection with real estate and M&A transactions. His career at major international law firms, followed by his time at August Debouzy, has led him to work on transactions with significant public impact, ranging from the procurement of masks during the health crisis to the preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,including major industrial projects related to the energy transition. He ranks among the top five on Forbes’ list of the 40 best lawyers advising CAC 40 companies (2021, 2024, and 2025).

Éric Buge is a French jurist and historian, specializing in public law and political institutions. A graduate of the École normale supérieure and an agrégé in History, he teaches constitutional law as an associate professor at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University. He began his career at the French National Assembly before becoming a maître des requêtes at the Conseil d’État. In 2025, he was appointed Director of Legal Affairs for the Ministries of National Education and Sports. Author of several books, including "Droit de la vie politique" (2018) and L’Éclipse de la vertu; Une histoire de l’exemplarité des gouvernants en démocratie (2026). He is also the founder of the association "Parlons démocratie" and recipient of the European Prize for Democratic Innovation. His work focuses on transparency, participatory democracy, and the ethics of governance, while advocating for the renewal of political and institutional practices.

Moussa Camara, from Cergy-Pontoise, is the fifth of eight siblings. From a young age, he embraced values like hard work, solidarity, mutual aid, and open-mindedness. In 2005, after the suburban crises in France, he founded the association Les Déterminés to support young people in their social, economic, and cultural empowerment, giving them tools to take control of their futures. Over the past eight years, more than a thousand people have been supported by this organization, and more than six hundred businesses have been launched. A entrepreneur at 21, he inspired thousands through his commitment and his book "Déterminé. Comment on s'en sort" (2023), co-written with Sébastien Le Fol, sharing this collective journey.

After studying literature at the Sorbonne, Nicolas Chabanne was in charge of communications for Greater Avignon before taking on the task of promoting The Brotherhood of the Strawberry of Carpentras. In 2009, he created the ‘Le Petit Producteur’ label, guaranteeing better remuneration for producers by placing their photo on the trays. In 2010, the anti-spoilage initiative ‘Les Gueules cassées’ (Broken faces) continued this approach by offering ‘ugly’ fruit and vegetables for sale. In 2016, Nicolas Chabanne, beacame a leading figure in alternative distribution, launched ‘C'est qui le Patron?!’, a cooperative selling a brand of fair-trade milk in support of producers. ‘C'est qui le Patron?!’ is currently offering 21 products for sale.

Laurent Choain est reconnu pour son expertise en ressources humaines, culture d’entreprise et leadership. Il occupe depuis plus de 30 ans des postes de direction au sein de grands groupes internationaux tels que Forvis Mazars, BPCE ou Kempinski. Diplômé de l’Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne et docteur en sciences de gestion de l’Université Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas, il a également développé une activité académique et de conseil. Engagé sur les enjeux de transformation des organisations, il intervient régulièrement sur les questions de management et d’évolution du travail. En 2026, il rejoint le groupe Accor comme Global Chief People & Culture Officer, où il pilote la stratégie humaine et culturelle à l’échelle mondiale.

Jean-François Colosimo is a French theologian, historian, publisher, and essayist, renowned for his work on the contemporary transformations of religion and geopolitics. After studying philosophy, theology, and history at the Sorbonne, EHESS, and abroad, he taught at the Saint-Serge Orthodox Theological Institute in Paris. His editorial career includes leading roles at Stock, Lattès, Odile Jacob, CNRS Éditions, and, since 2013, the Cerf publishing house, where he expanded its scope while supporting Pope Francis’s pontificate. Author of influential works such as The Crucifixion of Ukraine (2022) and The West, Global Enemy No. 1 (2024), he examines the intersections of religion, conflict, and civilization, and is a frequent media commentator. In 2026, he was honored as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for his contributions to Orthodox culture and theology.

André Compte-Sponville is a french teacher and philosopher. As a recognized author, he published many works with great clarity and pedagogy, which has helped making philosophy accessible to all: "Petit traité des grandes vertus" (1995), "Le Bonheur, désespérément" (2000) or "C'est chose tendre que la vie" (2015). As humanist philosopher, he brought back the search for wisdom and has written about many classical themes, originally discussed by antic philosopher. Furthermore, André Compte-Sponville is a member of the Honorary Committee for the "Organization for the right to die with dignity".

A graduate of Sciences Po and ENA, Jean-François Copé began his career at the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations before entering politics. Mayor of Meaux since 1995, he has also served as president of the Pays de Meaux Urban Community since 2003. A member of the National Assembly representing Seine-et-Marne from 1995 to 1997 and again from 2007 to 2017, Jean-François Copé held several ministerial posts under President Jacques Chirac: government spokesperson (2002–2007), Secretary of State for Relations with Parliament (2002–2004), Minister Delegate for the Interior (2004), and Minister of the Budget and State Reform (2004–2007). He subsequently chaired the UMP group in the National Assembly (2007–2010) and became party president (2011–2014), while also leading the French delegation within the European People’s Party. In addition to his political involvement, Jean-François Copé has been a member of the Paris Bar since 2007; he specializes in business law and practices at the firm Everlaw & Tax. He also serves as Deputy Chairman of the Prospective and Innovation Foundation. The author of several political and economic essays, he wrote "When Populists Betray the People", published in 2026, in which he denounces populists and argues that governing parties must combat them by rebuilding a political framework based on education, efficiency, order, and progress.

After gaining experience in the USA and Asia and co-founding her own brand of ethical and ecological swimwear, Virginie Courtin - a graduate of EDHEC business school - joined the family-owned group in 2013. After serving as marketing director and then general manager of Mugler Mode, she joined the Clarins management committee as deputy general manager. At the head of the CSR division, she took over all the initiatives already launched and built the group's first global CSR strategy around two values dear to Clarins: caring for people and caring for the planet. In February 2022, she became Chief Executive Officer of the Clarins Group.

Kamel Daoud, born in Mesra (Algeria), is a Franco-Algerian writer and journalist. The son of a gendarme, he studied literature after completing his A-levels in science. He began his career in 1994 at Quotidien d'Oran, where he served as editor-in-chief for eight years, building a reputation as a scathing columnist. His first novel, "Meursault, contre-enquête" (2014), a reimagining of Camus’s "The Stranger" that gives a voice to the brother of the murdered "Arab", earned him the 2015 Prix Goncourt for a first novel. Targeted of a fatwa in 2014 for his views on Islam, he acquired French nationality. Ten years later, he won the 2024 Prix Goncourt for "Houris".

A French national, Marie-Claire Daveu is a graduate of the Paris Institute of Technology for Life, Food and Environmental Sciences (ENGREF). She also earned a postgraduate diploma (DESS) in public administration from Dauphine University, Paris. She began her career as a technical advisor to the cabinet of Prime Minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, before becoming Principal Private Secretary to Serge Lepeltier, Minister of Ecology and Sustainability. In 2005, she became Director of Sustainable Development for the Sanofi-Aventis Group. From 2007 to 2012, she served as Chief of Staff to French politician, Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, working in various secretaries of state and then at the Ministries of Ecology, Sustainability, Transport and Housing. In 2012, she was appointed Kering’s Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of International Institutional Affairs. She sets out the strategy and ambitious objectives as well as implementing a set of best practices within the Group and the Houses. Today, Kering is a pioneer and recognized leader in sustainability.

A recognized expert on issues facing the nonprofit sector, Axelle Davezac has served as Executive Director of the Fondation de France since 2016. After 15 years in the private sector, she led the ARC Foundation for Cancer Research from 2005 to 2016. For the past 20 years, she has contributed actively to the sector’s development, notably through the French Center for Funds and Foundations (CFF), where she served as Vice President from 2016 to 2021, and as a Board member of Philea from 2022 to 2026. She is also Vice President of France Générosités and a member of the National Council for Development and International Solidarity (CNDSI). Axelle Davezac is a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour and an Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters.

After serving as Secretary of the Conference and then as a lawyer at the Paris Court of Appeal, Thierry Derez joined the AM-GMF Group in 1995, where he was appointed Chairman in 2001. In 2005, he became Chairman of MAAF, and in 2007, Chairman of MMA. From 2008 to 2022, he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Covéa, before becoming its Chief Executive Officer from 2022 to 2025. At the same time, in 2022, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of PartnerRe. In 2025, he became Chairman of the Board of Directors of Covéa.

Pauline Déroulède is a French wheelchair tennis player and a committed advocate for road safety. Formerly a professional tennis player, her life changed dramatically in 2018 after an accident caused by a driver, resulting in the amputation of her left leg. She rebuilt her life through sport, embracing wheelchair tennis with remarkable determination. Quickly, she joined the French national team and competed internationally. Alongside her athletic career, she actively campaigns to reform legislation on road violence, particularly targeting repeat offenders. Through her journey, she embodies resilience and civic engagement.

Denis Duboule received his PhD from the University of Geneva in 1984 and subsequently worked in the LGME laboratory of Professor Pierre Chambon, where he led a research group until 1988. In 1992, he was appointed full professor at the University of Geneva and, in 2006, he was also appointed professor at the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne. Since 1985, his work has focused on the function and regulation of Hox genes (architect genes) during the development of vertebrate animals. Denis Duboule has also taken an interest in science policy, its funding, and its communication to the general public. He joined the Collège de France in 2018 and has held a permanent chair since 2022 titled “Evolution of Development and Genomes.” He is an honorary professor of genetics at the University of Geneva, where he directed the Department of "Genetics and Evolution" as well as the National Center of Competence in Genetics. He is also an emeritus professor at the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).

Sylvain Duranton is Global Head of BCG X, BCG’s tech build and design unit. With more than 3,000 tech professionals across over 80 cities worldwide, BCG X develops platforms and software solutions to address businesses’ most pressing challenges. Sylvain joined BCG in 1993. He graduated from the French engineering schools École Polytechnique and Mines Paris and holds an MBA from INSEAD. He also serves on the board of directors of Aurore, one of France’s largest NGOs, which works to reduce poverty and improve access to housing.

Bénédicte Faivre-Tavignot is an Associate Professor of Strategy (Education Faculty) at HEC Paris and co-founder of the S&O Institute (Society & Organizations), which seeks to redefine the role of business in society through research, teaching, and action. In 2003, she co-created HEC Paris’s Sustainable Development Master’s program and co-founded the HEC Social Business/Enterprise and Poverty Chair, now the Center for Inclusive Economics—the social hub of S&O—which she co-directs. She also co-founded the Action Tank Enterprise and Poverty, a social innovation incubator bringing together major corporations, public authorities, and civil society. After earning her HEC diploma in 1988 and a PhD in Management Science, she spent 15 years in consulting. Her research focuses on reverse innovation and strategic renewal—exploring how inclusive business approaches drive transformative strategies.

Didier Fassin is a French anthropologist, sociologist, and physician who taught at the Faculty of Medicine at Pierre-et-Marie-Curie University. His work focuses on the moral and political issues raised by the care of individuals facing precarity or domination. He served as a professor of sociology at Paris Nord University in 1997 and later became a director of studies in political and moral anthropology at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) in 1999, where he founded the Cresp (Center for Research Current Issues in Public Health). Alongside Alban Bensa, he also established the Iris (Interdisciplinary Research Institute on Social Issues). A recipient of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences' Gold Medal in Anthropology, Didier Fassin was the first social scientist to receive the Nomis Distinguished Scientist Award in 2018. From 2019 to 2020, he held the chair "Moral Questions and Political Issues in Contemporary Societies" at the Collège de France. As the author of numerous books, he frequently contributes to media and public forums on topics such as asylum, immigration, discrimination, social justice, and security policies.

Alain Fischer graduated in medicine in 1979 and became Professor of Immunology at Paris-Descartes University, then Director of the INSERM unit “Normal and pathological development of the immune system” in 1991. Head of the Pediatric Immunology and Hematology Unit (UIH) at Necker Hospital (1996-2012), he was elected Professor of Experimental Medicine at the Collège de France in 2014. President of the French Academy of Science since 2022 and member of the French Medicine Academy, Alain Fischer devotes his research to immune deficiencies acquired from birth and curative approaches using gene therapy. Chairman of the Conseil d'orientation de la stratégie vaccinale in 2020, he published “Protecting the Living : from sick children to the Covid crisis” (2024).

Marc Fleurbaey's research in economics and philosophy focuses on normative economics, distributive justice, and the evaluation of public policies. His primary areas of focus include the measurement of social protection, climate policies, health priorities, and optimal taxation. Author of "Beyond GDP" (2013) with Didier Blanchet, "A Theory of Fairness and Social Welfare" (2011) with François Maniquet, and "Fairness, Responsibility and Welfare" (2008). He was the lead author and coordinator for the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report, a member of the United Nations Committee on Development Policy, and chair of the International Panel for Social Progress. His research focuses on the economics of well-being and equity, with applications to climate economics, health economics and fiscal redistribution.

Patrice Franceschi is a French adventurer, writer, filmmaker, sailor, and pilot of Corsican descent. For over forty years, he has undertaken numerous expeditions worldwide and organized humanitarian missions in war zones such as Bosnia, Kurdistan, Somalia, and Afghanistan. He is renowned for completing the first round-the-world trip in an ultralight aircraft (1984–1987) and for captaining the three-masted ship La Boudeuse, leading scientific and humanitarian expeditions. Awarded the Goncourt Prize for Short Stories in 2015 for "Première personne du singulier", he is also honorary president of the Société des Explorateurs Français and a member of the Écrivains de Marine. His books and films, inspired by his travels, blend adventure, commitment, and reflection on freedom and resistance.

Antoine Frérot is a graduate of the École Polytechnique (class of 1977), an engineer in the Corps des Ponts et Chaussées, and holds a doctorate from the École nationale des ponts et chaussées. After beginning his career in 1981 as a research engineer at the Central Design Office for Overseas Territories, he joined the Centre for Studies and Research at the École nationale des ponts et chaussées in 1983 as a project manager, before becoming its deputy director from 1984 to 1988. From 1988 to 1990, he held the post of head of financial operations at Crédit National. In 1990, Antoine Frérot joined the Compagnie Générale des Eaux as a project manager, and in 1995 became managing director of CGEA Transport. In 2000, he was appointed Chief Executive of CONNEX, the transport division of Vivendi Environnement, and a member of the Executive Board of Vivendi Environnement. In January 2003, he was appointed Chief Executive of Veolia Eau, the water division of Veolia Environnement, and Deputy Chief Executive of Veolia Environnement. In November 2009, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer, and in December 2010, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Veolia Environnement. On 1 July 2022, following the separation of the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, he became Chairman of the Board of Directors of Veolia Environnement.

Raphaël Gaillard is a French psychiatrist and neuroscientist renowned for his work on schizophrenia and the connections between artistic creation and mental illness. A professor at Université Paris Cité and a practitioner at Sainte-Anne Hospital, he leads an expert center dedicated to psychotic disorders. His research delves into the biological foundations of the mind and how psychological vulnerabilities can illuminate creativity. As an essayist, he has published several books that blend science, clinical practice, and humanist reflection; including "L'homme augmenté : futur de nos cerveaux" (2024) and recently "L'âme d'une épée" (2026). In 2023, he was elected to the Académie française, crowning a career that combines scientific rigor, medical commitment, and a passion for literature.

François Gemenne is an expert in environmental geopolitics, migration, and climate policy. A professor at HEC Paris and a researcher at Université de Liège, he directs the Hugo Observatory and actively contributes to the work of the GIEC (IPCC). His research mainly focuses on environmental migration, climate adaptation policies, and international climate governance. As the coordinator of several major European projects, including MAGYC and HABITABLE, he examines the links between climate change, human mobility, and migration policies. The author of numerous books and scientific articles, he also teaches at Sciences Po Paris and the Sorbonne. Actively engaged in civil society, he chairs the Scientific Council of the Fondation pour la Nature et l’Homme and the Board of Directors of the NGO Climate Voices, which seeks to connect young people from the Global North and South around climate issues.

Thomas Gomart, who holds a Ph.D. in the history of international relations, began his academic career at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) and later at King’s College (London). In 2004, he joined the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), serving successively as director of the Russia/NEI Center and director of strategic development before becoming its director in 2015. A member of the editorial boards of several journals (Politique étrangère, La Revue des deux mondes, Études), he is also the author of articles and scholarly books on Russia, digital governance, country risk, and French foreign policy. In his latest essay, “Who Controls Whom? The New Global Power Dynamics” (2026), he explores the deep-seated conflicts that are shaking our era to its core.

An expert in social impact innovation, Laurence trained at HEC and began her career in consulting at Bain & Company before leading Ashoka, the world’s first global network of social entrepreneurs. At the age of 22, she co-founded an NGO that develops projects in Mongolia and Togo, which is still operational today. In 2016, Laurence launched MySezame, the first social startup focused on acculturation and training, empowering leaders and employees to harness the full potential of their companies to address social and environmental challenges through new, more planet- and people-friendly innovation models. She is a member of the Entreprendre network, the APM (Association for Management Progress), and the Siècle des Femmes. Since 2025, she has served as president and co-founder of the La Concorde endowment fund, which aims to preserve and promote democracy in all its public interest dimensions.

David Guiraud, a graduate of Néoma Business School and the Conservatoire libre du cinéma français, made his mark on the French press by leading Les Échos from 1999 to 2008, then Le Monde from 2008 to 2010 as Vice President of the Board. Since 2014, he has been Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Ouest-France, one of France’s leading regional press groups. Since 2020, he has also served as President of ASPDH, the association that owns the Sipa Ouest-France group.

A full professor and holder of a State doctorate in mathematics, he served as President of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University from 1989 to 1994 and as First Vice-President of the French Conference of University Presidents from 1992 to 1994. He was Chair of the Steering Committee of the World Conference on Higher Education from 1994 to 1999. In 2004, he was appointed Director of the Higher Education Division at UNESCO, and led its research and educational foresight activities until 2014. He served a second term as President of Panthéon-Sorbonne University from 2016 to 2021.

Éric Hazan is an entrepreneur and managing partner of an investment fund. A specialist in the impact of artificial intelligence on the economy, society, and business models, he was a Senior Partner at a leading strategy consulting firm until 2025, advising organizations across Europe, the United States, Asia, and the Middle East for more than twenty years on their growth, digital transformation, and AI strategies. He teaches at HEC Paris and Sciences Po, and is co-author of Faut-il encore décider ? (with Olivier Sibony) and Révolution par les territoires (with Frédéric Salat-Baroux).

A graduate in law from Université Paris II and CELSA, Claire Hédon began her career in radio (France Bleu, RFI, France Inter). From 2003 to 2017, she hosted "Priorité santé" (Health Priority) on RFI and later became head of magazine programs. Her commitment to social justice began in 1992 with ATD Quart Monde, where she fought against extreme poverty and for access to rights. Starting as a volunteer and later becoming a leader, she was elected president in 2015, driving major advancements such as the recognition of social precarity as a form of discrimination and the Territoires zéro chômeur (Zero Unemployment Territories) project. A member of national bodies, she was appointed France’s Defender of Rights in 2020, continuing her fight for the dignity and equality of the most vulnerable.

Nathalie Heinich is a sociologist, emeritus research director at the CNRS, a member of the CRAL, and an associate member of the LAHIC. She holds a Ph.D. from the EHESS on the social history of the concept of the artist and specializes in the sociology of artistic professions and cultural practices. Her work also focuses on identity crises, the epistemology of the social sciences, and the sociology of values. A co-founder of the journal “Sociologie de l’art”, she serves on the editorial boards of several academic journals, including “Sociologie de l’art”, “Music and Arts in Action”, “Cultura. Revista de gestión cultural”, “Persona Studies”, and “Cités”. The author of more than forty books, she has devoted her research to the status of the artist, the concept of authorship, contemporary art, questions of identity, values, and the history of sociology.

Rémy Heitz is a prominent French magistrate. He began his legal career in 1989 as a deputy prosecutor at the Pontoise District Court. He quickly rose through the ranks, joining the Ministry of Justice’s Criminal Affairs and Pardons Directorate in 1992 and later becoming chief of staff to Pascal Clément, then a junior minister in the French government. In 1999, he was appointed Public Prosecutor in Saint-Malo.
His career continued with significant roles, including Director of Criminal Affairs and Pardons at the Ministry of Justice, and Public Prosecutor of Paris. From September 2021 until his appointment to the Court of Cassation in 2023, he served as Attorney General at the Paris Court of Appeal. Rémy Heitz is recognized for his intellectual rigor and extensive experience in both the judiciary and the executive branch.

Alice Hervé plays a key role in cultural outreach and community engagement at the Odéon-Théâtre de l'Europe in Paris. As the coordinator for the flagship program Adolescence et territoire(s), she orchestrates this deep human and artistic journey season after season. The initiative gathers around fifteen teenagers from diverse partner districts (Paris 17th, Saint-Ouen, Gennevilliers), guiding them through hundreds of hours of theater workshops toward a collective creation staged by guest directors. Strongly committed to accessibility and inclusivity, Alice Hervé is also committed to carrying out projects at the Odéon aimed at socially disadvantaged audiences and people with disabilities, launching inclusive theater workshops and improving cultural accessibility.

A graduate of École Polytechnique in 1994 and of École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, Christel Heydemann began her career at the consulting firm Boston Consulting Group before joining Alcatel in 1999, where she held various executive positions, notably during the merger between Alcatel and Lucent Technologies. Initially appointed Sales Director for France and a member of the executive committee, she was promoted in 2011 to the position of Executive Vice President for Human Resources and Transformation of the group. She joined Schneider Electric in 2014 and became Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Schneider Electric France in 2017. Promoted to Executive Vice President, Europe Operations for the group in 2021, she left this position a year later to become Chief Executive Officer of Orange S.A. In 2023, she unveiled the group’s strategic plan, entitled “Lead the Future,” aimed at leveraging the recognized excellence of its core business while achieving sustainable growth across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

François Jackow has developed strong industrial and leadership expertise through various roles around the world at Air Liquide, which he joined in 1993 before becoming CEO in June 2022. Throughout his career, he has notably led Innovation and Technologies, the Large Industries and Healthcare businesses, as well as the Strategy function at this leader in gases, technologies, and services for industry and healthcare. He also played an active role in the Group’s international expansion, participating in major, transformative acquisitions, such as that of Airgas in the United States in 2016 and that of DIG Airgas in South Korea 10 years later. Since his appointment to the Executive Board, he has notably successfully led the rollout of the ADVANCE strategic plan, aimed at combining growth with a sustainable future, as well as the development of several growth markets, including electronics, industrial decarbonization, and healthcare. He is an alumnus of the École Normale Supérieure in Paris, holds a master’s degree in chemistry from Harvard University, and an MBA from the Collège des Ingénieurs.

Anne-Laure Kiechel, a graduate of HEC, Sankt Gallen, and holder of a master's in mathematics, began her career at Lehman Brothers in 1999, leading capital markets for France and the Benelux. In 2009, she joined Rothschild in Paris and became a partner in 2014. She founded the Rothschild Sovereign Advisory Group, and advised Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras from 2016 to 2019. Then, she launched Global Sovereign Advisory (GSA), an independent firm advising around twenty countries. A member of the UN’s Committee for Development Policy (2022–2024), she has over 25 years of experience in capital markets and sovereign advisory.

Since 2014, he has served as the Chief Rabbi of France. From 2005 to 2009, he was a member of the National Consultative Ethics Committee and served as Secretary General of the French Rabbinate Association. Initially the rabbi of Reims, he became the General Israeli Chaplain of the French Air Force in 2000, later extending this role to all branches of the military from 2007 to 2014.
A champion of interfaith dialogue, he has authored several books on the subject, including "Les Enfants d'Abraham: Un chrétien, un juif et un musulman dialoguent" (2011), co-written with Alain de La Morandais and Malek Chebel, and "Réinventer les aurores" (2020) which won the Edgar Faure Political Literature Prize. In 2024, he published "Comme l’espérance est violente", an essay aimed at combating the collective depression he believes is afflicting French society.

A senior French civil servant specializing in cultural and heritage policies, Marie-Christine Labourdette is a graduate of the École nationale d’administration (ENA) and Sciences Po Paris. She began her career at the City of Paris before joining the Ministry of Culture. She has held several senior positions, notably as Secretary-General of the French Academy in Rome and Regional Director of Cultural Affairs for Burgundy. In 2008, she was appointed Director of the Museums of France, a position she held for nearly ten years, overseeing national museum policy and supporting major projects. She then served as President of the City of Architecture and Heritage (2018–2021). Since 2021, she has been President of the public institution of the Château de Fontainebleau and of the École Spéciale d’Architecture. She is recognized for her commitment to promoting and enhancing cultural heritage.

Prof. Leon Laulusa is Executive President and Dean of ESCP Business School since June 2023. He previously held several leadership roles within the School, including Dean for Academic Affairs and International Relations, and Dean of the Paris, Warsaw and Dubai campuses. Professor of Financial Reporting and Audit, he teaches accounting, governance and leadership, notably in China. His research focuses on cultural influences on management and accounting. He advises senior executives on strategy and performance and serves on multiple boards, including CFJ Paris, as well as advisory boards in France, China, India and Poland. Formerly Partner at Deloitte and Managing Partner at BDO, he led international projects, especially in Asia. He holds a PhD from Paris-Dauphine, an MBA from IAE Paris and is a French Chartered Accountant.

A graduate of Panthéon-Assas University, Olivier Laureau joined the Servier Group in 1982, working in the Intellectual Property Department before moving to the Legal Department. In 2008, he continued his career within the pharmaceutical group by becoming Chief Financial Officer. Appointed Chairman of Servier in 2014, Olivier Laureau launched a major transformation plan for the company aimed at ensuring Servier’s independence, growth and long-term sustainability. The company is investing in oncology, neuroscience and immuno-inflammation, as well as in its traditional areas of expertise: cardiology, metabolic diseases and venous diseases. A prominent figure in healthcare sector discussions, he sits on the board of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) and on the board of the G5, an organization representing France's leading pharmaceutical companies, as well as the Biopharmaceutical CEOs Roundtable (a global forum on health policy).

A senior heritage curator, Hervé Lemoine joined the Army Historical Service in 1996, where he became Deputy Director of Archives and Libraries. In 2005, he was appointed Deputy Director for Memory, Heritage and Archives at the Ministry of Defence, in charge of archival and library policy. In January 2009, he took over as Director of the Musée des Monuments français and of the Heritage Department at the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, where he curated several exhibitions. From 2010 to 2018, he served as Director of the Archives de France at the Ministry of Culture and Communication, before being appointed in February 2018 Director of the Mobilier national. n January 2025, he was appointed President of the Manufactures nationales.

Blanche Leridon is a political scientist and an expert on transformations in public debate in France. She joined the Institut Montaigne in 2015, where she conducts research on democracy, populist dynamics, and the evolution of political discourse in France and across Europe. Between 2018 and 2021, she held several positions within ministerial cabinets, notably working with the Minister for Higher Education, Research and Innovation on parliamentary affairs, equal opportunities, and culture. She also served as an advisor to the President of the French National Assembly on cultural and educational issues. A lecturer at Sciences Po, she focuses on the evolution of political discourse under the Fifth Republic. She is a regular media contributor and the author of two essays, "Odyssées ordinaires" (2022) and "Le château de mes sœurs" (2024).

A graduate of Sciences Po Paris and HEC, Grace Loubassou began her career at the Central African News Agency (ADIAC) and later at the radio Africa N°1. She joined Canal+ in 2015, where she held various communications roles for international subsidiaries, including Canal+ Congo. In 2017, she was appointed Director of Institutional Relations for Africa. Grace Loubassou will become Canal+’s Director of CSR for Africa effective January 19, 2026. There, she oversees the group’s corporate social responsibility strategy on the continent, strengthening its social impact and empowering local talent.

After studying modern literature at the Sorbonne and musicology at the EHESS, Olivier Mantei taught music in Casablanca before returning to Paris in the early 1990s. He then contributed to the development of the Accentus choir, founded by Laurence Equilbey, and became one of its administrators. In 1998, he founded the production agency Instant Pluriel, which supports several classical music ensembles and artists. Beginning in 2000, he worked with theatre director Peter Brook as an administrator at the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord. In 2007, he joined the Opéra-Comique as Deputy Director before becoming its Director in 2015. In 2021, he was appointed CEO of the Cité de la Musique – Philharmonie de Paris by the President of France. . His vision emphasizes cultural accessibility, inclusion, and the institution’s international influence.

Graduated in Economics and from IESE Business School in Madrid, Enrique Martinez joined Fnac in 1998 with the mission of establishing and developing the brand in Portugal. In 2004, he became Managing Director of the Iberian region, before taking charge of the brand for France and Northern Europe in 2012.
Chief Executive Officer of the Fnac Darty group and a member of its Board of Directors since 2017, he has led the first synergies and integration projects between Fnac and Darty.
Having significantly contributed to the group’s transformation into a European leader in specialized retail, Enrique Martinez has expressed his ambition to make Fnac Darty a benchmark for sustainable and responsible retail, through the offering of high value-added services to its customers.

William Marx, having ranked first in the agrégation competitive examination in Classical Literature in 1989, completed his doctoral thesis in 2000 at the Sorbonne University. He taught in the United States and Japan, as well as at several French universities, before being appointed in 2019 as Professor of Comparative Literature at the Collège de France. He is a member of Academia Europaea, a laureate of the Académie française and the Académie des sciences morales et politiques, a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, an honorary member of the Institut Universitaire de France, a recipient of the International Francqui Chair, and a former fellow of the Berlin Institute for Advanced Study. He is regularly invited to speak at universities abroad. His works include "A Summer with Don Quixote" (2024), and "Libraries of the Mind" (2025).

Christian Monjou, a holder of the agrégation, a lecturer and researcher at University of Oxford, and a former recipient of a Besse Foundation award, is a specialist in Anglo-Saxon civilisation. For many years, he was a Senior Lecturer in the khâgne B/L programme at the Lycée Henri-IV in Paris and a lecturer preparing students for the agrégation at the ENS. A recognised expert with the APM and GERME groups, he also lectures for HEC Executive Education and at the request of numerous consulting firms. Christian Monjou uses the arts (visual arts, theatre, opera) as a medium to explore managerial issues such as leadership, interpersonal relationships, innovation and positive competition, and intercultural relations.

Alessandro Morbidelli, a planetary scientist at the Côte d’Azur Observatory, is an associate member of the French Academy of Sciences and the Royal Academy of Belgium. He headed the National Planetary Science Programme (PNP) at the CNRS from 2010 to 2018 and has chaired the Solar System thematic group at the CNES since 2019. Since 2021, he has also served as Editor-in-Chief of the international journal Icarus, dedicated to planetary science and founded by Carl Sagan. He has received numerous honours, including the Urey Prize from the Division of Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society in 2000, the Mergier-Bourdeix Grand Prize from the French Academy of Sciences in 2009, and the CNRS Silver Medal in 2019. In 2023, he was elected Professor at the Collège de France, where he holds the Chair of Planetary Formation : From Earth to Exoplanets.

Wajdi Mouawad, born in Lebanon, is a leading playwright, director, and actor in contemporary theatre. Shaped by experiences of exile — a childhood in Lebanon, adolescence in France, and training in Montreal — he graduated from the National Theatre School of Canada in 1991 and co-founded Théâtre Ô Parleur. He later directed Théâtre de Quat’Sous and established several companies in both Quebec and France. His work, deeply imbued with themes of war, memory, and identity, includes the cycle "Le Sang des Promesses" (Littoral, Incendies, Forêts, Ciels). The play "Incendies", adapted for the cinema by Denis Villeneuve, has achieved international success. He holded the Chair "The invention of Eurpe through Languages and Cultures" from 2024 to 2025. As director of the Théâtre national de la Colline from 2016 to 2026, he has developed a demanding and socially engaged body of work, blending theatre, the novel, and opera, and has established himself as a leading voice in the French-speaking world.

El Mouhoub Mouhoud has been a professor of economics at Paris Dauphine University – PSL since 2006 and served as its president from 2020 to 2024. Since December 2024, he has been president of PSL University and president of the PSL Foundation. Since 2021, he has been a member of the boards of directors of the Chancellerie de Paris, EHESS, and the Cité Universitaire Internationale de Paris, and since 2024, of the Institut National du Cancer. He has also served as president of the AUF’s Regional Conference of Rectors in Western Europe since October 2023. El Mouhoub Mouhoud holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne (1991) and is an agrégé in economics (1994). He has served as a Scientific Advisor to the General Commission for Planning, a department under the Prime Minister (France Stratégies), and as a consultant to the OECD, the UN, and the World Bank. He is a member of the Cercle des économistes, a Research Fellow at the Economic Research Forum and the Institut de Convergence Migrations, and a member of the Executive Committee of the French Association of Economic Sciences. Author of some 100 articles and 20 books, El Mouhoub Mouhoud’s research focuses on the links between the economics of innovation and globalization, industrial offshoring and reshoring, and international migration.

Alexander Neef was born in Germany. He studied Latin philology and modern history at the University of Tübingen. He began his career at the Salzburg Festival before joining the RuhrTriennale, where he oversaw opera, theatre, dance productions, and concerts. In 2004, at the invitation of Gérard Mortier, he joined the Opéra national de Paris as Casting Director and also contributed to programming at the New York City Opera. Alongside his leadership of the Canadian Opera Company, he became the first Artistic Director of the Santa Fe Opera in 2018. Appointed Director-Designate of the Paris Opera in 2019 by French President Emmanuel Macron, he officially took office as General Director in September 2020. Under his leadership, the Paris Opera has expanded its repertoire with contemporary works and developed interdisciplinary collaborations with artists from film, photography, and dance. Alexander Neef also revived the Paris Opera Lyric Troupe and launched several initiatives dedicated to younger generations, including the Junior Ballet, the ADO program, and the streaming platform POP – Paris Opera Play.

Journalist and writer, Christine Ockrent is a specialist in international and European politics. A graduate of the Paris Institute of Political Studies, she began her career in the United States, first at NBC, then on the renowned CBS programme ‘60 Minutes’ (1968–1976). On her return to France, she presented the 8 o’clock news on Europe n°1 in 1980. The following year, Antenne 2 entrusted her with presenting the 8 pm news on a rota basis with Patrick Poivre d’Arvor and appointed her deputy editor-in-chief: a first in the history of French television. An iconic figure in the broadcasting industry, she continued her career at RTL, TF1 and FR3, and hosted political programmes such as France Europe Express. From 2008 to 2011, she headed France’s international broadcasting service. Since 2012, she has presented the programme Affaires étrangères on France Culture. She has published several books, including “La Double Vie d’Hillary Clinton” (2001), “L’Empereur et les milliardaires rouges” (2023) and “Le Trump de A à Z” (2025).

Tareq Oubrou is an imam, theologian and essayist, renowned for his reflections on Islam in the West. Born in Morocco to a family of French-speaking teachers, he moved to Bordeaux at the age of 19 to study biology and medicine. However, he soon devoted himself to serving the Muslim community in France and served as an imam in several towns, notably Nantes, Limoges and Pau, before returning to settle permanently in Bordeaux, where he heads the Al Houda Mosque. Alongside his religious activities and his work as a prison chaplain, he developed a theological framework aimed at adapting Muslim practice to a secular society. He is the author of several books, including "Loi d’Allah, loi des hommes" co-written with Leïla Babès in 2002 and "Profession Imam" co-written with Cédric Baylocq and Michaël Privot in 2009. A member of the Association of Muslims of Gironde, affiliated with Musulmans de France, he has also chaired the Association of Imams of France.

Emmanuelle Oudéa is the founder of the organization and philanthropic fund En Revanche, established under the auspices of the Fondation de France. A former school teacher, she used to be a professional recruiter, and staff member at the Rectorat de Versailles, where she founded the structure in 2023. Driven by the deep belief that community engagement is a vital civic act, she dedicates her work to transforming how young people experience academic and career orientation. Her mission is to provide a supportive, collaborative space that counters self-censorship, alleviates the anxiety of crucial life choices, and helps young adults unlock their full potential through the core values of diversity, openness, and social solidarity.

After earning an MBA in Finance from Shanghai University, he quickly turned his attention to the digital sector, with a particular focus on mobile applications, notably in China and France. He then joined the family-owned company Altavia in 2013 and took the helm of Altavia Cosmic, a commercial communications, marketing, and advertising agency. In 2019, he led Altavia Disko, the group’s digital agency, and then Altavia Oyez, and in 2020, he was appointed President of Altavia Consortium, which brings together the group’s digital and creative agencies. Since May 1, 2024, he has served as CEO of the Altavia Group.

Gilles Pécout is a French historian, academic, and senior civil servant, renowned for his expertise in contemporary Italy and 19th-century Mediterranean Europe. A graduate of the École normale supérieure and a qualified history teacher, he has taught at ENS, EHESS, and various international universities. He led the ENS History Department from 2009 to 2014 and served as Rector of the Nancy-Metz Academy, then of the Paris Academy and the Île-de-France region. Appointed French Ambassador to Austria in 2020, he has been President of the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) since April 2024, overseeing the preservation and promotion of France’s written and cultural heritage. Author of numerous books and articles, he also sits on several boards, including Sciences Po, the Musée de l’Armée, and the Franco-German University. Gilles Pécout combines academic excellence with institutional commitment to culture and education.

Vanessa Perrée holds a postgraduate degree (DEA) in private law and a certificate in criminal sciences from Paris II Panthéon-Assas University. She joined the French National School for the Judiciary in 1997 and graduated from the National Institute for Advanced Studies in Security and Justice (INHESJ) in 2019. She began her career as a deputy public prosecutor in Lille before joining the Ministry of Justice’s Department of Criminal Affairs and Pardons in 2003. In 2006, she joined the anti-terrorism division of the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office, and in 2011 became a judge at the Fort-de-France Court of Appeal, presiding over criminal assize court sessions. Appointed Deputy Prosecutor General in Aix-en-Provence in 2014 and Justice Inspector in 2018, she joined the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office in 2020 as Deputy Public Prosecutor, overseeing divisions dedicated to public health, labor, environmental matters, organized crime, financial crime, and cybercrime. In 2022, she became Head of Justice Affairs in Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne’s office. Since January 1, 2024, she has served as Director General of AGRASC, before being appointed Public Prosecutor for Organized Crime on February 15, 2026.

Anne Pointet is a senior French civil servant and executive, graduated from Sciences Po Grenoble and ENA (class of 2003). She began her career at the Ministry of Defense as head of the international public law office, then joined the Ministry of Economy and Finance as financial advisor for the Middle East. In 2007, she joined BNP Paribas, where she initially managed the group’s subsidiaries in the Middle East and later the overseas network from 2009. In 2020, she was appointed Deputy CEO of BNP Paribas Wealth Management, overseeing wealth management activities for domestic markets and international retail banking. Since July 2024, Anne Pointet has served as Head of Company Engagement at BNP Paribas and is a member of the group’s Executive Committee, where she leads the CSR strategy and the integration of social and environmental issues into the bank’s activitiesgroup.

Rudy Ricciotti is a prominent French architect and engineer, renowned for his unique blend of technical mastery and narrative power in contemporary architecture. Born into an Italian family that moved from Algeria to Camargue, he initially trained as an engineer in Switzerland before earning his architecture degree in Marseille. His work is celebrated for its bold use of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete, a material that has become his signature, and for iconic projects such as the Department of Islamic Art at the Louvre, the MuCEM in Marseille, and the Mémorial du Camp des Milles. Awarded the Grand Prix National d’Architecture in 2006 and the Gold Medal of the Academy of Architecture, Ricciotti combines structural innovation with a deep commitment to storytelling and social connection. Beyond his architectural practice, he leads the publishing house Al Dante and is the author of several essays, including "Insoumission" (2025), where he reaffirms his dedication to free thought and an uncompromising fight against

Constance Rivière is a senior civil servant and author. A graduate of the ENS and ENA, she has long been involved in public policy and fundamental rights. She worked at the Ministry of Culture and later at the Presidency of the Republic as an advisor on culture and citizenship. In 2020, she became Secretary General of the Défenseur des droits (Defender of Rights), where she advanced equality and combated discrimination. Alongside her administrative career, she pursues literary work. Her debut novel "Une fille sans histoire" (2022) explores sexual violence and collective memory, earning widespread critical and public acclaim. In 2025, she published "L’Incendiaire" , continuing her focus on memory, justice, and social violence.

Augustin de Romanet is a French senior civil servant and business executive, a graduate of Sciences Po and the ENA (Diderot class). He held key positions in several ministerial cabinets before leading the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations from 2007 to 2012 and chairing the French Strategic Investment Fund. From November 2012 to January 2025, he served as CEO of Groupe ADP (Paris Airports), where he modernized infrastructure and prepared Parisian airports for the 2024 Olympic Games. Since 2025, he has been advising the management of Eight Advisory and serves on several boards. He is widely respected for his expertise in public management and economic strategy.

Pierre Rosanvallon, a graduate of HEC Paris, began his career in union activism as an economic advisor to the CFDT and later became editor-in-chief of CFDT-Aujourd’hui (1973–1977). Closely associated with Michel Rocard’s political movement, he emerged as a leading theorist of the "second left," notably with his influential work "Pour une nouvelle culture politique" (1977). As a research director at Université Paris-Dauphine and later at EHESS (1989), he led the Raymond Aron Center for Political Research (1992–2005). In 2001, he was elected Professor at the Collège de France to the Chair "Modern and Contemporary Political History", where he has explored the historical and theoretical transformations of contemporary democracy. He is the author of "Les Épreuves de la vie: Comprendre autrement les Français" (2021). In his latest book, "Les Institutions invisibles" (2024), Pierre Rosanvallon argues that democracy relies not only on formal institutions but also on informal mechanisms of trust, citizen oversight, and collective judgment.

Mory Sacko is a French chef of Malian and Senegalese descent, who has become a leading figure in contemporary gastronomy thanks to his unique fusion of African, Japanese, and French culinary influences. He rose to fame after participating in the eleventh season of "Top Chef" in 2020, and later that year, he opened his restaurant MoSuke in Paris, which earned a Michelin star in 2021 despite the challenges of the pandemic. His bold and creative approach is showcased in dishes like beef fillet marinated in shea butter or Breton lobster with tomato miso, blending his cultural heritage with modern techniques. In addition to his fine dining success, he has launched street food concepts, MoSugo, and collaborated with luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton.

Frédéric Sanchez has been an independent director at Orange since 2020 and is chair of the telecommunications group’s Strategy and Technology Committee. A graduate of HEC Paris, Sciences Po, and holder of a postgraduate degree in economics from Paris-Dauphine University, he joined Fives in 1990. He held various positions before becoming CFO, then CEO, and finally Chairman. Under his leadership, Fives expanded its international footprint and diversified its portfolio through acquisitions and new regional offices in Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. In 2026, he was appointed Chairman of Orange’s Board of Directors, having served as an independent director and Chair of the Strategy and Technology Committee since 2020. His career reflects recognized expertise in industrial management and strategic transformation.

Economist and essayist Maxime Sbaihi holds degrees from ESCP, Paris-Dauphine University, and City University. He began his career at Oddo BHF before moving to Bloomberg in London as a Eurozone economist. Upon returning to France, he became a prominent voice in public debate, heading the think tank GenerationLibre, and later serving as Director of Studies at the Institut Montaigne between 2023 and 2024, where he remains an associate expert. A regular columnist for the business daily L'Opinion, he is a major commentator on contemporary macroeconomic challenges. Currently serving as Strategic Director of Club Landoy, he specializes in demographic shifts and aging populations : themes central to his acclaimed essays such as “Le Grand Vieillissement” (2022) and “Les Balançoires Vides” (2025).

Olivier Scalabre has served as Managing Director of BCG France since October 2022. He joined BCG in 2001 and became a Partner in 2010. An industry specialist, he advises major companies on growth strategies as well as operational and digital transformation initiatives. Committed to strengthening European competitiveness, he is the author of several landmark studies on the subject. At the global level, he has led BCG’s work on Industry 4.0 and decarbonization technologies (GreenTech), and founded the ICO (Innovation Center for Operations) network. He graduated from CentraleSupélec.

Pierre Sellal is a graduate of the Lycée Albert Schweitzer in Mulhouse, where he was born in 1952. After studying law at the Faculty of Law and Economic Sciences in Strasbourg, he was admitted to the École nationale d’administration (ENA) in 1973. He completed his military service in 1974 and graduated from ENA in 1977, before joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He devoted a large part of his career to European affairs, notably holding several successive posts in Brussels and serving for more than ten years as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of France to the European Union, until the end of 2017. He also held the two most senior positions within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, each for five years: first as Chief of Staff to the Minister, then as Secretary-General of the Ministry. He was appointed Ambassador of France in 2008. Elected President of the Fondation de France in 2017, his term was renewed in 2021 and again in 2025. Since 2018, he has served as Senior Counsel at the law firm August Debouzy.

Jean-Dominique Senard is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Groupe Renault. Prior to joining Renault, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Michelin (2012-2019), a group he initially joined in 2005. He started his career with various financial and operational responsibilities at Total (1979-1987) and Saint-Gobain (1987-1996). Senard was the financial director of Pechiney and member of the executive committee of the group (1996-2001) and joined the group’s directorate of the primary aluminum sector (until 2004). As a member of the executive committee of the Alcan group, he oversaw the integration of Pechiney and became president of Pechiney SA. Senard is a graduate of HEC Paris and holds a master’s degree in Law.

A graduate of the Sciences Po Aix (1998), holder of a Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of London (2001), and a graduate of the École nationale d'administration (ENA) in 2012, Muriel Signouret notably served as Chief of Staff to Chairman and CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou and as Deputy Director for Regional Affairs, Institutional Relations, and International Affairs. She joined SNCF Gares & Connexions in February 2023 as Director of the Paris Lyon and Paris-Bercy Bourgogne Pays d’Auvergne stations. On May 2, 2024, she became Director of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). In this role, she joined the Group’s Executive Committee. On May 27, 2026, she became President of the Fondation Groupe SNCF.

With a degree in communications and strategic philanthropy, Sabine de Soyres has been dedicated to the public good and the development of resources for that purpose for the past 20 years. She has headed the Fondation de France’s Center for Philanthropy since 2020. Dedicated to identifying and structuring the most ambitious and transformative philanthropy and corporate philanthropy initiatives, the Center for Philanthropy establishes and creates nearly 50 foundations each year, 50% of which are projects led by entrepreneurs or families and 50% by companies seeking to structure their philanthropy strategies and related governance frameworks.

Éric Toledano is a director, screenwriter, and producer. After graduating from high school, he spent a year studying at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Upon his return, as a brilliant student, he continued his studies and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Literature with a concentration in film, followed by a Master’s degree in Political Science. At the same time, drawn to the art of filmmaking, the young aspiring filmmaker cut his teeth working with director Diane Kurys. Since the 1990s, he has formed a renowned creative partnership with Olivier Nakache. After studying political sociology, he turned to screenwriting and filmmaking. The duo first made a name for themselves with “Nos jours heureux” (2006), a comedy praised for its human and generational perspective. International acclaim came with “Intouchables” (2011), which became one of the biggest hits in French cinema. Their work is characterized by a balance between comedy, emotion, and social commitment. Their films regularly explore themes such as disability, inclusion, immigration, and educational support. Among their notable works are “Samba” (2014), “Le Sens de la fête” (2017), and “Hors Normes” (2019), and more recently, "Juste une illusion" (2026), wich is still in theaters. Their cinematic approach is based on characters inspired by real life, with a strong humanistic dimension.

After studying economics at Paris-Sorbonne University, Didier Truchot became a research analyst at the French Institute of Public Opinion (IFOP). In 1975, drawing on this experience, he founded the Ipsos Institute with the innovative idea of working closely with his clients and, initially, providing them with syndicated research in the areas of advertising effectiveness and media research. At the helm of Ipsos for more than forty years, he expanded the group’s presence in markets around the world and drove its diversification. Today, Ipsos is the world’s third-largest provider of market research, surveys, and public opinion polls (with a presence in 90 countries). Formerly chairman of the group’s board of directors, he now serves as its honorary chairman.

Nathalie Vranken is a leading figure in the world of champagne and cultural patronage in France. A history graduate from the Sorbonne, she first founded her own communications agency, Nico Agency, in 1987, before joining the Vranken-Pommery Monopole group, where she played a pivotal role in brand development and the promotion of contemporary art. Since 2025, she has served as the CEO of the group, having previously held positions as Deputy CEO and Marketing Director. Passionate about art and heritage, she restored the Villa Demoiselle in Reims, transforming this Art Nouveau gem into an iconic cultural and champagne venue. Her commitment to patronage and the organization of events such as the "Expérience Pommery" and the Culinary Photography Festival have strengthened the group’s innovative and cultural image. Nathalie Vranken embodies a vision that blends tradition, modernity, and cultural engagement.

Guillaume Vuillemey is an Associate Professor of Finance at HEC Paris, where he teaches corporate finance and conducts research on financial stability, economic history, banking regulation, and corporate social responsibility.
Holding degrees from Sciences Po and the École Polytechnique, he earned his PhD in Economics in 2015. His work, published in top-tier journals such as the Journal of Finance and the Review of Financial Studies, focuses on financial markets, systemic risks, and the evolution of banking systems. He is also affiliated with the CEPR (Centre for Economic Policy Research) and the ACPR Chair on Regulation and Systemic Risks. Author of "Le Temps de la démondialisation" (The Age of De-globalization, 2022), he frequently contributes to public debates on international finance and economic regulation.

Frédéric Worms is a leading French philosopher, renowned for his expertise in contemporary philosophy and the work of Henri Bergson, on whom he co-authored a definitive biography. A professor at the ENS, he became its director in 2022 after serving as deputy director. He also heads the Centre international d’étude de la philosophie française contemporaine and was a member of the French National Consultative Ethics Committee (CCNE) from 2013 to 2021. A prolific author, his major works include "Bergson ou les deux sens de la vie" (Bergson or the Two Meanings of Life, 2013), "Les Maladies chroniques de la démocratie" (The Chronic Illnesses of Democracy, 2017), "Pour un humanisme vital" (For a Vital Humanism, 2019), "Vivre en temps réel" (Living in Real Time, 2021) and exploring the intersections of philosophy, care, democracy, and temporality. He also hosts the radio program "Matières à penser" on France Culture, where he discusses major intellectual and societal issues with clarity and commitment.