TEDxMonteCarlo 2016

Sailor, Ocean Keeper and Entrepreneur

Alexia Barrier’s career path is clear: she dreams of racing the “Route du Rhum” and the “Vendée Globe”.

Her dream began at the age of 12, when a sailing race on TV made her realize that sailing was what she wanted to do. Once her passion ignited, Parisian-born and Nice-raised Alexia raced her first regatta at 16. After graduating high school, she began to work in the nautical industry, embarking on her first transatlantic race, a journey from France to Brazil on a 6.5-meter boat, aged 25. In 2006, she finished 12th on her first AG2R, together with Sam Davies.

In 2010, after 11 transatlantic races, Alexia embarked upon a single-handed world tour. Supported by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and contributing to oceanographic research, the tour represented a training for the “Vendée Globe”. Upon her return after 5 months at sea, and after completing 20 000 nautical miles for the “4MyPlanet” tour, Alexia published a recollection of her experiences, Planete Ocean Solitaire.

Alexia’s next challenge will be the 2017 single-handed “Solitaire du Figaro”, which will also act as training for the 2020 “Vendée Globe Solo Round Globe Race”.

Political Economist and Commentator

Philippe Legrain is a critically acclaimed thinker, communicator and political entrepreneur and former senior policy adviser.

A senior visiting fellow at the London School of Economics’ European Institute, he is the founder of Open Political Economy Network (OPEN), an international platform for progress on openness issues. A columnist for Project Syndicate, Foreign Policy and CapX, he commentates for many international media outlets.

From 2011 to 2014, he was economic adviser to the President of the European Commission and head of the team providing President José Manuel Barroso with strategic policy advice. Previously, he was chief economist for Britain in Europe, special adviser to World Trade Organization director-general Mike Moore and trade and economics correspondent for The Economist.

Philippe is the author of four critically acclaimed books – Open World: The Truth about Globalisation (2002); Immigrants: Your Country Needs Them (2007), which was shortlisted for the Financial Times Business Book of the Year; Aftershock: Reshaping the World Economy After the Crisis (2010); and European Spring: Why Our Economies and Politics are in a Mess – and How to Put Them Right (2014), which was among the FT’s Best Books of 2014. His first study for OPEN, Refugees Work: A humanitarian investment that yields economic dividends, was co-published with the Tent Foundation in May 2016.

Leadership Specialist

Matthew Beeton is a specialist in business strategy and engineering, educated at and recognized by institutions such as Coventry University, Cambridge University and Harvard Business School.

His career began at Rolls Royce Aerospace, where at 26, he assumed a director’s role within the Civil Aerospace division. He continued his career at Bombardier Transportation, where he became director of commercial business for the Mainline Rail. Since then, Matt has held positions as Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer in key sector companies, including Serco, National Express and Vix.

Matt is currently an associate in the Gerson Lehrman Group, and advises numerous public and private sector organizations in turn-around planning and smart mobility. Responsible for key business turn-arounds and record fiscal and customer performance, his customer-centric vision has led him to receive business awards and recognition by industry leaders and Prime Ministers.

A keen cyclist and pilot, Matt also raises funds for children with cancer. His first book is due to be published, a personal journey into the importance of emotional intelligence within business leadership.

Guitarist, Composer and Producer

Louis Winsberg began playing the guitar with a group of gypsy friends at the age of 12, forming the group Los Reyes, which would later become the Gypsy Kings.

In 1981, Los Reyes completed their first recording, and two years later, Louis won the first soloist prize of the Concours National de la Défense. Since then, he has become a prominent figure in the French music scene, playing with artists including Antoine Herve, Eric Le Lann and Mike Stern. In 2008, Louis received a Django D’Or.

Louis has formed a variety of groups. Amongst these are the “Sixun Group”, which recorded 9 albums, “Jaleo”, a multicultural project, and “Douce France”, a group that plays instrumental covers of popular French songs.

Amongst his most recent pieces are "Marseille Marseille" (2011), a hymn to the Mediterranean; the album "Gypsy Eyes" (2014) for which he was accompanied by Rocky Gresset and Antonio El Titi; and "Mes Révérences" (2016). This year, he has released the third album with Jaleo, “For Paco”, which will be followed by a European tour.

Director Special Projects

Dr. Françoise Meunier is the Director of Special Projects at the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer.

Graduated as medical doctor and holds a PhD from Université Libre de Bruxelles, Françoise left the Institute Jules Bordet to serve as EORTC Director General, overseeing the organization’s growth into a world-class cancer clinical research infrastructure. Since 2015, she acts as Director of Special Projects, driving activities such as EORTC’s cancer survivorship initiatives.

Françoise has published over 150 articles and was awarded the Belgian Laureate “Prix Femmes d’Europe 2004-2005”. Member of the Belgian Royal Academy of Medicine, she was conferred the title of Baroness in 2007 by His Majesty, The King Albert II of Belgium. For her contribution to oncology, she was awarded the Pezcoller Foundation award in 2009 and has been a Fellow of the European Academy of Cancer Sciences since 2011.

Françoise has held prestigious positions on committees such as the Innovative Medicine Initiative of the European Union. She is a board member of various organizations, including the Centre Scientifique of Monaco. Most recently, she was admitted to the degree of Doctor of Medical Science (Honoris Causa) by the Queen’s University of Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.

Chief Health Officer, Vitality

Focusing on promoting health globally, Dr. Derek Yach is Chief Health Officer at The Vitality Institute, a research organization dedicated to health promotion and part of Discovery Holdings Ltd. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President of Global Health and Agriculture Policy at PepsiCo. He has headed the global health department at the Rockefeller Foundation, has been a Professor of Global Health at Yale University, and is a former Executive Director for Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Derek established the Centre for Epidemiological Research at the South African Medical Research Council. He has authored or co-authored over 250 articles covering the breadth of global health and is regularly cited by The Huffington Post, The New York Times and The Economist.

Derek has served on several advisory boards including those of the Clinton Global Initiative, the World Economic Forum, the Welcome Trust and Cornerstone Capital.

He lives in Connecticut, USA. His main leisure activity involves swimming in pools, rivers and the ocean.

Culinary Consultant, TV Presenter and Food Archaeologist

Alan Coxon is a multi-award winning international chef who has embraced the culinary world and the media industry.

As a culinary consultant and innovator, Alan has assisted hotels and restaurants around the world, including Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris, London and Monte-Carlo, and has led an international culinary brigade within the largest hotel in Europe.

However, his experience in the culinary sector extends beyond the kitchen. In the media industry, Alan is a TV chef presenter, a renowned food and travel writer, and an “International Taste and Quality Institute” (iTQi) judge. He has appeared on over 1,250 cookery programs on TV networks around the world.

Alan also acts as British Ambassador for food, drink, and tourism cooking and as a “Food Archaeologist”, creating a range of multi award-winning retail products. He hosts award and food festival events and delivers talks and cookery demonstrations around the world.

Amongst the 5 cookbooks that Alan has written to date, two of them have won the “Best Cookbook of the World” prize. He is now working on his 6th book, focused on Ancient Ayurveda health and diet practices, which is due to be released in 2017.

Senior Legal Counsel and Meditation Teacher

Micha Withoft is senior legal counsel at Scorpio Group, which includes two NYSE listed entities. She has a degree in European and International Comparative Law (LLB) from the University of Sheffield. She was previously a Senior Associate at Clyde & Co. LLP, where one of her clients honored her by making her godmother to a vessel. She has been working in the industry for ten years and finds her role both challenging and interesting.

Micha is also a certified kundalini yoga and meditation teacher (Yogi Bhajan®). She originally started practicing transcendental meditation in 2008, meditating twice daily whilst also handling an intense workload and frequent travel. As her interest in meditation grew, she researched and practiced many different ways in which to meditate. She introduced different ways to meditate to a weekly group that she hosted at the Nice Life Concept for 18 months. She is currently finalizing a simple guide to meditation and studying to become a certified shamatha meditation instructor.

Corporate Executive and Entrepreneur

Bertrand Petyt is a corporate executive and entrepreneur active in the luxury sector.

Bertrand’s background is in the hospitality industry. He has held operational management positions for Sofitel’s US branches and for Regent Seven Seas Cruises. He was Business Manager for V.Ships, the largest ship management company in the world, where he oversaw recruitment, training and consulting services and worked with hotels and cruise lines to implement the company’s strategies. Bertrand also worked as Hotel Director on-board the 6-star vessels of Silversea Cruises, voted the Best Ultra-Luxury cruise line 9 years in a row, before returning to the V.Ships group as Crew Operations Manager.

Bertrand is currently the Chief Operating Officer of the Monaco-based Parkview Group, a holding company that manages the leisure interests of a family-owned enterprise, with a focus on Ultra-Deluxe assets and brands. He is also Professor of Management at The International University of Monaco where he holds Hospitality Operations Management and Human Resources Management classes for Master-level students.

Bertrand’s specialty areas include Ultra-High-Net-Worth Asset Management, Human Resources Strategies, Leisure Recruitment, Hospitality Operations and Brand Development, as well as strategic business and consulting topics.

Director and Chief Counsel, Criminal Justice Standards and Policy

Sara Elizabeth Dill is the Director of Criminal Justice Standards and Policy for the American Bar Association in Washington. She oversees the development of criminal justice standards, formulates policy, advocates for legislative reform, and oversees the US Supreme Court amicus brief project.

With an LLM in international human rights from Northwestern Law School and a background in political science from Marquette University, Sara has built a phenomenal career. She founded her own law firm in London and Miami, focused on international law, criminal defense, human rights, and immigration. Sara also held key positions in the ABA Criminal Justice Section, the Commission on Immigration, and the Section of International Law.

In addition to publishing articles on international law, criminal defense, immigration, human trafficking and free speech, and co-authoring a report to the UN Commission Against Torture, Sara speaks frequently at international conferences. Her most recent publication, A Bleak House in Cuba: A Call for Reform and the Closure of Guantanamo, was presented in The Hague in 2016.

Sara also devoted a significant portion of her private practice to pro bono work - representing victims of human trafficking and litigating asylum cases.

Disclaimer - Ms. Dill is speaking in her individual capacity and not on behalf of her employer or any other organization. The views to be presented are entirely her own and do not necessary reflect the views and positions of the American Bar Association.

Nomad Pianist, Composer and Writer

Marc Vella started playing music when he was 5. At the age of 24, he put his grand piano on a trailer and set off to discover the world. Over the following 30 years, Marc travelled over 200,000 km across forty countries with the intent of celebrating humanity.

Through his chord arrangements, Marc has created a unique music style, winning the Prize of Composition in Paris in 1985 and 1st Prize of Composition in Rome in 1999. Creator of the “Caravane Amoureuse”, Marc also focuses on exploring the depths of individual human experience and spreading joy.

Invited to connect people by associations and municipalities, including the Alliance Française, Marc plays in sensitive locations for people in distress and in secondary schools for teenagers in difficult circumstances. He has lectured at Universities across Paris and has led seminars for numerous organizations, with discourses focused on innovation, creativity and restored direction.

Marc is the author of 6 books, and today, he is creating a film documentary to honor those who are committed to peace, solidarity and environmental awareness, in a project led by UNESCO. Meanwhile, Marc continues to travel and play his piano, spreading his unique musical style across the world.

CEO Formula E

Alejandro Agag is the CEO of Formula E Holdings – a FIA-backed motor racing championship of cars powered by electricity.

Alejandro’s career began in politics. Already Deputy Secretary General of Spain’s European People’s Party at 23, 2 years later he became the Prime Minister’s PA. By 28 he was the youngest Spaniard to sit in the European Parliament.

Alejandro transitioned into the sports sector in 2002, when he and Flavio Briatore purchased 6 years of Formula One TV rights in Spain. In 2007, Alejandro acquired Campos Racing, which he renamed Addax, and signed a Qatari sponsorship that led the team to GP2 victory in 2008. The same year, he became a leading investor in the Queens Park Rangers. Within 4 years, with Alejandro acting as Chairman and Managing Director, the football club climbed to the top of the English Premier League.

In 2012, Alejandro created Formula E Holdings to promote the new FIA Formula E Championship, which debuted in 2014. Alejandro believes that the development of electric racing cars is a catalyst for the development of clean city cars. His biggest challenge now is to leave a legacy of innovation in clean mobility.

Creative Director, Stylist & Consultant

Jenke Ahmed Tailly is a creative stylist, fashion editor, and consultant.

He has worked with prestigious celebrities including Beyonce, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, as well as with top fashion magazines, amongst which the American, Italian and British editions of Vogue, Garage Magazine, and GQ.

Jenke has always been fascinated with fashion, and credits his mother for inspiring his sense of style. With Ivorian and Senegalese origins, he possesses a strong understanding of international and African fashion as well as urban trends, and brings his unique vision and global citizenship awareness to his work.

Jenke is also a strong advocate of diversity in fashion, often choosing to work with models of different races in his shoots. He is dedicated to making capturing the persona in every look. Prior to a shoot, Jenke and his team create mood boards to define what kind of woman and image they're after. Only then do they look at the collections and choose items and silhouettes. Though Jenke prefers to keep a low profile, his creative work and style has had a powerful impact in the fashion world.

Sources:
elle.com
destinationiman.com

Master of Ceremony

Alicia Sedgwick has been actively involved in the production and management side of the media/entertainment industry, as well as a professional performer for over 25 years. A City-trained lawyer, Alicia is also co-founder and Managing Director of Absolutely Monte Carlo, an Events Management Company and Monte Carlo Media Inc.

Alicia’s international events planning and management experience include managing the international press conferences for the London 2012 Olympics, Broadcast Services Management for the Laureus World Sports Awards, and Talent management for the BBC at Chelsea Flower Show in London. She has managed celebrity relations in the Green Room of the World Music Awards in Monte Carlo, and was the MC for the first TedX event in Monaco.

Active in the entertainment field, she has performed as a blues singer and stage performer all over the world, and has had her own Internet TV Show, and Radio Show. Most recently, Alicia teaches Public Speaking, Managing People, and Communication in Business, at the International University of Monaco, as well as offering Public Speaking, and Presentation Skills coaching and training for both individuals and Corporations.