Speakers 2026

Arnaud de Cacqueray is a French Army Division General who has served as Commander of the Paris Fire Brigade (BSPP) since October 2024, leading one of France’s most elite and emblematic units. He graduated from the Saint-Cyr military academy and built his career around three main pillars: operational roles within the BSPP, human resources management in the French Army, and intelligence. He previously served as deputy commander and then as head of the 2nd Fire and Rescue Group before taking command of the entire brigade. He is also recognized for his work on stress management and as an author of children’s books, blending poetry and values of solidarity.

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.

Laura Chaubard is a French mathematician and senior civil servant. A graduate of the École polytechnique and holding a PhD in algorithmics, she began her career at the Direction générale de l’armement, where she worked on artificial intelligence and innovation. She then held several strategic positions within the Ministry of the Armed Forces, notably serving as an advisor to Florence Parly. In 2019, she became Chief Executive Officer of La Villette, and in 2022, she was appointed CEO of École polytechnique, where she has also been serving as interim Chair of the Board since 2023. A member of the executive committee of the Institut Polytechnique de Paris, she is the first woman to lead École polytechnique. Committed to promoting women in science, she has been awarded the Legion of Honour and the National Order of Merit.

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.

A graduate of the École polytechnique (1970) and ingénieur des ponts et chaussées (1975), Antoine Compagnon successively held the positions of lecturer at the École polytechnique (1978-1985), professor of literature at the University of Paris IV-Sorbonne (1994-2006) and at Columbia University (New York). Elected Professor at the Collège de France, holder of the Chair "modern and contemporary French literature : history, criticism and theory (2006-2021). He is a literary historian and literary critic, considered to be one of the leading specialists in Marcel Proust. He is also the author of fiction stories such as "A Summer with Colette" (2022) and "Un hiver avec Matisse" (2026).

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 heading the cabinet of Roger Romani, Minister Delegate for Relations with the Senate (during Balladur government). He was a Member of Parliament for Seine-et-Marne from 1995 to 1997 and again from 2002 to 2017, becoming Government Spokesman (2002-2004), Minister Delegate for the Interior (2004) and then Minister for the Budget (2004-2007) under President Jacques Chirac. He became Chairman of the UMP Group in the National Assembly in 2007, then Chairman of the UMP party from 2011 to 2014. Mayor of Meaux since 1995, he now devotes all his time to the political life of Meaux and contributes to the debate on ideas.

Pierre Corvol holds honorary doctorates from several foreign universities and is Professor Emeritus at the Collège de France. He completed dual training in medicine and science at the Faculty of Medicine and Science in Paris. Appointed as a resident in Paris hospitals in 1966, he subsequently practised clinical cardiology at Broussais Hospital and later at the Georges Pompidou European Hospital. Holder of the Chair of Experimental Medicine (1989–2012), Pierre Corvol served as Director of the Collège de France from 2006 to 2012. He is a member of the French Academy of Sciences, which he chaired in 2019 and 2020, the European Academy of Sciences, the French National Academy of Medicine, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has received several major scientific awards, including the Excellence Award for Hypertension Research (1985), the Inserm Grand Prix (2006), and the Leonardo da Vinci Award (2019).

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".

Yahya Daraaoui is a recognized expert in corporate transformation, with over 25 years of experience in turnaround and restructuring. He currently leads BCG Transform in France, where he supports companies and investors in rapidly improving performance and creating sustainable value. Throughout his career, he has led numerous complex projects, including cost reduction programs, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, and carve-outs. He is particularly focused on optimizing cost structures, improving cash flow, and managing liquidity. Before joining the BCG, he spent 12 years at AlixPartners as a Managing Director, specializing in critical and time-sensitive situations. Yahya has worked across multiple industries, including consumer goods, industrials, energy, automotive, and technology.

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 recognised expert on issues facing the non-profit sector, Axelle Davezac has been Chief Executive of the Fondation de France since September 2016. After 15 years in industry, she decided to put her experience to work for the public good by taking over as Director of the ARC Foundation for Cancer Research from 2005 to 2016. She served as Vice-President of the Centre Français des Fonds et Fondations (CFF) from 2016 to 2021 and has been Vice-President of France Générosités since 2016. She is also a board member of Philea, the European Centre for Foundations, and a member of the board of the Alliance Publishing Trust.

A former Secretary of the Conference and then lawyer at the Paris Court of Appeal, he joined the AM-GMF group in 1995 as Deputy Managing Director. In 2003, he was appointed Chairman and CEO of the AZUR-GMF group. Two years later, he became Chairman and CEO of MAAF assurances. Since 2007, he has also been Chairman of Mutuelles du Mans Assurances (MMA). He served as Covéa’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 2008 to 2022, he is currently the Group's Chief Executive Officer. In 2022, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of PartnerRe.

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.

Marie Drucker is a journalist, TV and radio host, documentary filmmaker, and producer. After studying modern literature at the Sorbonne and training at the CFPJ (Center for Journalism Training), she began as a freelancer before joining the CAPA news agency. In 1999, she helped launch the news channel i-Télévision within the Canal+ Group, first as a reporter and later as a presenter. From 2005 to 2008, she hosted Soir 3 on France 3, then served as a substitute for Laurent Delahousse on France 2’s weekend news until 2016. In July 2016, she left France 2 to found her own production company, No School Productions, focusing on documentary filmmaking. Since 2017, she has hosted "Infrarouge" on France 2 and, since 2021, "Au bout de l’enquête" every Saturday. She is also the sponsor of the association "Un Rien C’est Tout", which combats poverty through micro-donations. Awarded the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in 2015, she is the author of several books, including "Nos cœurs déracinés" (2025)

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).

Nicolas Duvoux is a French sociologist specializing in social inequalities, poverty, and public policy. He is a professor at Paris 8 University and a researcher at CRESPPA-LabTop (CNRS), as well as a professor at the University of Geneva, where he directs the Philanthropy Center. Since 2007, he has been editor-in-chief of the journal "La Vie des idées" and director of the book collection of the same name. He has received several awards, including the senior research prize from the Croix-Rouge Foundation. Since 2025, he has chaired the Conseil national des politiques de lutte contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale (CNLE), where he regularly warns about the worsening of inequalities and the need to rethink social policies. His work, such as "L’Avenir confisqué" (2023), analyzes the mechanisms of inequality reproduction and advocates for a fairer approach to ecological transition and social rights.