Speakers 2026

Christine Neau-Leduc holds a Master’s degree in private law from the University of Montpellier and a PhD from the University of Paris II Panthéon-Assas; in 2003, she obtained her agrégation in private law and criminal sciences. Since 2012, she has been a professor of private law at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and a member of the Sorbonne Institute for Legal Research (IRJS).Specialising in employment law, collective bargaining, collective representation and corporate social responsibility (CSR), she is also a member of the Employment Policy Council (COE), an advisory body attached to the Prime Minister’s Office. Between 2016 and 2019, she was elected First Vice-President for Institutional Affairs on the Board of Governors of the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, before becoming its new President in 2021; she began her second term as head of the institution in April 2025.

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).

After studying law, economics, and political science in Paris, Philippe d'Ornano joined the family business founded in 1976 by his father, Hubert d'Ornano. He took over management of the French market in 1989. In 1991, he was put in charge of the European market—which was still in its infancy at the time—and established distribution subsidiaries in most countries, driving Sisley’s strong growth in Europe. As CEO in 2001, he continued the company’s international expansion, particularly in Asia, and coordinated investments in France in manufacturing facilities, research, and information systems to support the brand’s rapid growth. Today, as Chairman of the Executive Board, he leads a company that has increased its revenue 40-fold over the past 25 years, with 85% of that revenue coming from exports, thanks in large part to its 30 distribution subsidiaries. Sisley, a leader in high-end cosmetics, develops and manufactures its products in France (in Saint-Ouen l’Aumône and Blois) and operates in more than 90 countries.

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.

François Pachet is a French scientist, composer, and pioneer in the application of artificial intelligence to music. Trained as an engineer at École des ponts ParisTech and holding a PhD in computer science, he also studied classical guitar and jazz in Boston. He led the Sony Computer Science Laboratory in Paris for nearly twenty years, where he developed groundbreaking technologies in automated musical improvisation, audio feature extraction, and human-machine interaction. In 2017, he joined Spotify to head the Creator Technology Research Lab, exploring how AI can enhance musical creativity. Founder of Ynosound and the Imagine All The People association, he advocates for universal access to musical creation through digital tools. Author of several books, including "Histoire d’une oreille" (2018), he is also known for creating the first AI-assisted album, "Hello World", and for his research on musical style modeling. His work, at the intersection of art and science, aims to democratize and redefine musical creation in the digital age.

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.

Richard Peduzzi is a renowned French scenographer, painter, designer, and furniture creator. A major figure in contemporary theater and opera, he is best known for his iconic collaboration with director Patrice Chéreau, designing sets for numerous plays, operas, and films since 1968, including "La Reine Margot" (1994)and "Ceux qui m’aiment prendront le train" (1998). His work is distinguished by powerful, often unfinished or ruin-like architectural elements, rejecting naturalistic illusion in favor of bold, symbolic aesthetics. Notable creations include "The Ring of the Nibelung at Bayreuth", "Heiner Müller’s Quartett", "Hamlet", "Phèdre", and "Elektra". Beyond his scenographic work, Peduzzi served as director of the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs (ENSAD) from 1990 to 2002 and later as director of the Académie de France at the Villa Medici in Rome from 2002 to 2008. He is also the author of several books, such as "Là-bas, c’est dehors" (2014) and "Je l’ai déjà joué demain" (2021), where he reflects on art and theater.

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.

Admitted to the Paris Bar in 1994 and to the New York Bar two years later, Mahasti Razavi has been a managing partner at August Debouzy since 2018. With thirty years’ experience, she advises organisations on their transformation and governance strategies in a rapidly changing technological and regulatory environment. As a specialist in digital transformation, she advises players in the technology, luxury, retail and new economy sectors on issues relating to artificial intelligence, digital sovereignty and the contractual framework for major digital projects. A member of the technology working group at the think tank ‘Le Club des Juristes’ and a trustee of the French-American Foundation, she is a regular speaker at the Cité de la réussite and the Women’s Forum, where she analyses the technological, ethical and societal upheavals associated with digital transformation.

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.

In the 1990s, Jean-Emmanuel Rodocanachi, a graduate of HEC and the Institut des Hautes Études de Protection Sociale, discovered the concept of company crèches whilst in the United States. He was fascinated by this social innovation, which helps to improve female employment rates and working conditions within companies. ‘Les Petits Chaperons Rouges’ was then founded in 2000. A French pioneer in private nurseries, the Grandir Group’s mission is to contribute, step by step, to the development of future generations. With nearly 800 centres and 8,000 employees in France, the Group looks after more than 22,500 children every day. Internationally, the Grandir Group is now expanding into Germany, England, Canada and the United States.

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.

A graduate of the École des Psychologues Praticiens in Paris, Stéphane Roussel began his career at Xerox in 1985 before joining Carrefour in 1997 as HR Director for hypermarkets in France. He then held key international human resources positions and later became HR Director for the Carrefour Group. He subsequently joined SFR, where he was appointed CEO in 2012.
Since 2022, Stéphane Roussel has served as President of the Board of Governors of the American Hospital of Paris, President of the Les Entreprises pour la Cité (LEPC) network, and President of the WeTechCare association. Since January 2025, he has been President of the Canal+ Foundation. He is also an ambassador for the Diversity Charter and remains actively involved in social innovation and corporate governance.

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.

A graduate of Sciences Po, the EHESS and the ENA, Marie-Christine Saragosse began her career at the Ministry of Communication (SJTI) and later in the office of the Minister Delegate for Francophonie, where she was responsible for France’s international audiovisual initiatives. She continued this work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before joining TV5 in 1997. She became Deputy General Manager in 1998 and Vice President in 2001. After serving for two years as Director of Cultural Cooperation and the French Language at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she was recalled in May 2008 to the General Management of TV5MONDE. On October 7, 2012, she was appointed President and CEO of Audiovisuel Extérieur de la France (AEF), which was renamed France Médias Monde on June 27, 2013. In April 2018, she was reappointed by the French Audiovisual Council (CSA) to lead France Médias Monde for a new five-year term. On January 11, 2023, she was reappointed for a five-year term by the Regulatory Authority for Audiovisual and Digital Communication (ARCOM). Marie-Christine Saragosse is also a member of the Boards of Directors of AFP, the Théâtre de la Ville, and TV5MONDE.

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.

A graduate of Sciences Po and ENA, with a master's degree in corporate finance, Marc Schwartz began his career at the Cour des Comptes before joining the Treasury Department in 1992. Economic adviser for South-East Asia at the French Embassy in Singapore, he was then appointed adviser to the Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry and to the Secretary of State for the Budget (1997-2000). After serving as Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Managing Director of France Télévisions, he joined Mazars as a partner with worldwide responsibility for the public sector. He joined the French Culture Minister's cabinet in 2017. He has been Chairman and CEO of La Monnaie de Paris since 2018.

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 École Normale Supérieure and a Ph.D. recipient from EHESS, her work focuses on the economics of subjective well-being, particularly the link between income, growth, inequality, and happiness. She is also interested in the sources of well-being at work and within organizations, and studies women’s behavior in school and in the labor market. She is the author of numerous articles in international journals as well as books, such as "Enfanter" (2025) and, more recently, "Truths and Beliefs in the 21st Century" (2026).

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.