News
Soazig Barthélemy, social entrepreneur
Job
Soazig Barthélemy founded Empow’her in 2011. The nonprofit organization provides support to female entrepreneurs in France and over ten developing countries, thus empowering them to realize their potential.
Background
Ms. Barthélemy’s dream was to become a diplomat or a humanitarian worker. After graduating from a leading, Paris-based business school, she first worked in microfinance institutions in Asia and Africa, supporting female microentrepreneurs, before switching to... investment banking. It wasn’t long, however, before the lure of social entrepreneurship pulled her back. In 2017, Ms. Barthélémy ranked among Forbes France’s 30 most influential social entrepreneurs in Europe under the age of 30.
Motto
“Tear down the economic and social barriers that prevent women from becoming entrepreneurs.”
Salomé Berlioux, rural youth advocate
Job
Salomé Berlioux is the founder and executive director of Chemins d’Avenirs, a nonprofit that provides information, encouragement and support to young people in rural areas as they map out their studies and career ambitions and find their place in society.
Background
After growing up in a rural setting herself, Ms. Berlioux attended two top academic institutions (Sciences Po, Normale Sup) before working as a ministerial advisor and consultant. She is the author of two books on regional divide issues: Les Invisibles de la République and Nos campagnes suspendues.
Motto
“Give young people in rural areas and small towns as many opportunities to realize their potential as young people in big cities.”
Claire Gibault, conductor and pioneer
Job
Claire Gibault founded Paris Mozart Orchestra in 2011 to promote equity and access in the field of music. The ensemble performs in major concert halls, but also in hospitals, schools and prisons. Its “Orchestre au Bahut” program enables young people from priority establishments to participate in the creation of a musical work.
Background
Ms. Gibault is no stranger to the music world. She was the first woman to conduct the La Scala Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic. Together with Claudio Abbado, she created the Orchestra Mozart di Bologna. She is also active in politics and was a Member of the European Parliament. Ms. Gibault seeks to make music more inclusive and fights for greater recognition of women’s contributions in a field dominated by men.
Motto
“Music is a universal language that contributes to social harmony.”
Gisèle Magnan, activist pianist
Commitment
Gisèle Magnan founded Les Concerts de Poche in 2005 to advance the democratization of live classical music. The nonprofit’s goal is to organize concerts and workshops with world-class musicians in rural communities and low-income neighborhoods.
Background
Ms. Magnan is an acclaimed piano virtuoso who has played at major venues worldwide. She is also a committed activist whose mission is to bring classical music to a wider audience.
Motto
“Artists enable the regions to formulate innovative proposals and develop social cohesion initiatives.”
Valérie de Margerie, solidarity - a family affair
Commitment
Seven years ago, Valérie de Margerie launched le Chaînon Manquant, a nonprofit that distributes fresh, unsold food from eateries to families in need, addressing both a social and an environmental issue.
Background
A graduate of Ecole Centrale, Ms. de Margerie worked at an electrical wiring systems company before deciding to follow in her parents’ footsteps: Her mother worked for the organization ATD Fourth World and her father was a water consultant for the United Nations. Her decision to change course was motivated by the fact that 8 million people in France today suffer from food insecurity, while 10 million tons of food are thrown out each year.
Motto
“Food waste isn’t inevitable, it’s a question of organization.”
Athina Marmorat, developer of potential
Job
Athina Marmorat is the founder of Rêv’Elles, a nonprofit that provides vocational guidance to young women from modest backgrounds by encouraging them to think big.
Background
After working in marketing and sales positions with major corporations for eight years, Ms. Marmorat discovered the social economy sector and joined the Mozaik RH nonprofit. Here, she became aware of the importance of providing career guidance to young people at a very young age, which prompted her to become an instructor. To address the lack of assertiveness and self-assurance among young women from blue-collar neighborhoods, she then founded the Rêv’Elles nonprofit to help them broaden their horizons.
Motto
“I tell young women: ‘Don’t put up barriers and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone!’"
Myriam Mazouzi, Fighter of Social Determinism
Job
Since 2015, Myriam Mazouzi has been director of the Paris Opera Academy, whose two-pronged mission is to train young opera professionals and educate young audiences in the arts. She organizes a variety of discovery events, including performances, meetings and workshops, for students from kindergarten to university.
Background
Ms. Mazouzi previously worked with composer Nicolas Frize on a sound engineer training initiative for inmates. She subsequently joined the national federation of artistic and cultural companies (Syndeac), before becoming production manager for the Paris Orchestra and finally joining the Paris Opera.
Motto
“My mission is to educate tomorrow’s audience, build bridges between opera and a public that is as diverse as possible and foster social cohesion.”
Dorothée Roch, digital leader
Job
Dorothée Roch is the co-founder and director of BecomTech, a nonprofit working throughout France to increase gender diversity in the IT and tech industries. Focusing on young women aged 14 to 25, the organization helps them develop their skills, choose a career and combat gender inequality.
Background
Ms. Roch previously worked for Emmaüs la Friperie Solidaire and Fondation Agir Contre l’Exclusion (Club FACE Seine-Saint-Denis), which promote workforce entry and social inclusion. After initially assisting adult job seekers, she shifted her focus to helping young women build a bright future.
Motto
“Greater gender diversity in tech means a world where everyone is free to choose their own future!”
Safia Tami, social cohesion expert
Job
Safia Tami is director in charge of partnerships and recruitment for L’Industreet, a campus for new industry professions. Facilitating relationships between businesses, nonprofits, employment and training bodies, institutions and other local players, she identifies stakeholder needs to ensure the best possible solution can be found.
Background
Safia Tami worked for nearly 12 years at Adie, a nonprofit that helps young entrepreneurs without access to traditional banking develop their project. This experience enabled her to gain deep insight into the regional stakeholder environment in the underprivileged Seine-Saint-Denis suburb of Paris. Working with young people for more than 20 years, she has built up sufficient credibility to act as a bold and relevant intermediary, advancing the interests of young people and businesses alike.
Motto
“What motivates me is being a link for social cohesion in favor of the inclusion of young people in the different regions.”
Susanna Zammataro, Standard-Bearer for Road Safety
Commitment
Susanna Zammataro is Director General of the International Road Federation (IRF), adviser to automobile federation FIA’s High Level Panel for Road Safety, co-chairperson of the “Safer Roads and Mobility” initiative of the United Nations and member of Total Foundation’s Board of Directors. She puts her expertise to work in the field of road safety and sustainable mobility.
Background
A firm believer in Europe who grew up in Sicily, Ms. Zammataro has a degree in law, political science and international relations. She uses her multiple talents to convince different players in the road sector to join her cause.
Motto
“We need to turn the tide. Road safety is an issue requiring broad engagement from the public, particularly young people.”
