2024 Young Leaders Program

November 7, 2024

The French-American Foundation’s 2024 Young Leaders seminar took place in Miami, Florida from October 22-27, 2024.

In collaboration with our sister foundation, the French-American Foundation—France, we welcomed over 40 French and American Young Leaders from diverse industries, including academia, finance, government, healthcare, law, media, military, the arts, tech, and more. 2023 and 2024 French and American Young Leaders met their peers and mingled during a rooftop welcome reception on Tuesday, October 22nd. As is tradition for the program, participants were introduced to the week’s full agenda upon their arrival in Miami. Despite a busy schedule ahead and a long day of travel for many, French and American Young Leaders arrived brimming with energy and ready for the week ahead.

The first full day of the program, October 23rd, kicked of with an inspiring welcome from Anne Dias Griffin, Board Member of the French-American Foundation-United States and Chair of the 2024 Young Leaders Seminar. As a French-American, she shared her deep connection to both the Foundation and the “Magic City” prior to the morning’s discussions hosted at the offices Greenberg Traurig, P.A. Throughout the day, Young Leaders delved into Miami’s rich history, identity, and dynamic transformation over the last century, guided by insightful discussions with Nicholas Griffin, author of The Year of Dangerous Days.

Young Leaders also explored Miami’s evolving landscape of journalism and media with Alex Mena, Executive Editor, and Jane Wooldridge, Senior Director for Journalism Sustainability and Partnerships, both of The Miami Herald. Lindsey Laveaux (US YL 2024), Arielle Schwab (US YL 2024), Vincent Pons (US YL 2024), and Alexandra Jousset (FR YL 2022) moderated the morning discussions. The afternoon continued at the Pérez Art Museum Miami where Young Leaders were welcomed by Director Franklin Sirmans and Chief Curator Gilbert Vicario, followed by a private tour of the galleries and a special keynote session with Kenneth Griffin, Founder, CEO and Co-Chief Investment Officer of Citadel LLC, moderated by Michael Greenwald (US YL 2024) and Sophie Marchessou (FR YL 2023). To close out the day, Young Leaders convened at Tiffany & Co. for a cocktail reception and toasts led by US 2024 Young Leader Stéphanie Oueda-Cruz, followed by dinner at the Mandolin Aegean Bistro in Miami’s Design District.

Thursday, October 24th opened at the University of Miami for panels focused on the impact of climate change on South Florida and the resilience strategies being implemented to address emerging environmental challenges. The discussion was led by Michael Berkowitz, Executive Director of the University of Miami’s Climate Resilience Institute, and featured experts Whitney Hough, Director of the Office of Technology Transfer at the University of Miami; Francesca de Quesada Covey, Chief Innovation and Economic Development Officer at Miami-Dade County; and Landolf Rhode-Barbarigos and Prannoy Suraneni, both Associate Professors of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at the University of Miami.

Following the panel, the Foundation had the honor of welcoming keynote speaker, the Honorable Donna Shalala, former President of the University of Miami and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Dr. Shalala led a discussion on public health, education, and leadership, sharing insights from her personal and professional journey in public service and reflecting on how her identity and relationships have influenced her career and leadership style. Young Leaders Marguerite Cazeneuve (FR YL 2024) and Katherine Maher (US YL 2024) guided the conversation and facilitated a thoughtful Q&A session.

Following discussions, it was time to venture out into the Everglades, where Dr. Meenakshi Chabba, Ecosystem and Resilience Scientist for The Everglades Foundation, led the group on an excursion in Everglades National Park. During a guided airboat tour, Young Leaders had the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature and learn more about the Everglades’ diverse habitats, unique ecosystem, and ongoing efforts to preserve and protect these abundant wetlands. The day concluded with dinner and spirited conversation at the famous Joe’s Stone Crab in South Beach.

On Friday, October 25th, Young Leaders explored Miami’s rich architectural landscape with an art deco walking tour of Miami Beach, led by the Miami Design Preservation League, followed by a meet-and-greet with special guest Craig Robins, developer, art collector, and Founder & CEO of Dacra. Robins, who is credited as a key preservationist of Miami Beach’s Art Deco Historic District, spoke to Young Leaders about his professional journey and his work’s impact on the evolving urban fabric of Miami. He guided our group through his private art collection at the Dacra offices and outside into the Design District, helping Young Leaders appreciate how a former pineapple farm has transformed into a hub for innovative architecture, public art installations, and luxury shopping. Young Leaders reconvened at The Moore, a historic venue, for lunch and afternoon sessions led by two industry experts in business and technology – Pamela Fuertes Berti, Dean of Miami Dade College’s School of Business Trade, and Transportation, and Jack Abraham, Founder, Managing Partner, and CEO of Atomic. Conversations were moderated by Christian Osmena (US YL 2024), Pierre-Olivier Chotard (FR YL 2024), Cecile Schmollgruber (US YL 2023), and Jamil Jiva (FR YL 2024). Young Leaders wrapped up the day by watching the sunset from Level Six, enjoying a paella dinner and exchanging insights from the day’s sessions.

On Saturday, October 26th, the 43rd annual Young Leaders seminar came to a bittersweet close. In the morning, Young Leaders convened for small-group discussions to exchange ideas and perspectives on navigating today’s critical global challenges as leaders. Afterwards, the group tuned into an eye-opening discussion on the U.S. election system, led by Board member and 2013 Young Leader Scott Handler. The group analyzed the historical and present-day influences weighing on the 2024 U.S. presidential election and explored how the outcome may impact the transatlantic relationship. To close, Young Leaders spent time reflecting on their shared experience in Miami and exploring their leadership goals.

After enjoying some free time in Miami, Young Leaders, Board members, and friends of the Foundation gathered together one last time for a closing dinner celebration hosted generously by Anne Dias Griffin. Together, Ms. Griffin and FAF-U.S. Chair Edward C. Wallace underlined the importance of the Franco-American friendship in today’s world and encouraged Young Leaders to carry on the legacy of the historic transatlantic relationship. Amina Sabeur, Managing Director of the French-American Foundation–France, announced that next year’s conference will be held in Marseille, France!

The French-American Foundation extends its deepest thanks to those whose tremendous contributions made this year’s Young Leaders program possible:

Anne Dias Griffin, Member of the FAF-U.S. Board of Directors and Chair of the 2024 Young Leaders Program

The French-American Foundation–U.S. Board of Directors

Edward C. Wallace, Chair
Allan M. Chapin, Chair Emeritus

With thanks to those who provided assistance in our planning:

Carol Bellamy, Board Member and U.S. YL 1981
Chloe Demrovsky, Board Member and U.S. YL 2019
Scott Handler, Board Member, Chair of the Young Leaders Selection Committee and U.S. YL 2013

Speakers & Facilitators

Anne Dias Griffin’s team, including Mariana Martins & Martha Yunis
Kenneth C. Griffin and the team at Citadel LLC
Greenberg-Traurig, P.A. and the Miami Team: Edwina Lau, Susy Leyte-Vidal, and Millie Matias
The Honorable Donna Shalala
Craig Robins and the DACRA Team
Nicolas Griffin
Alex Mena
Jane Wooldridge
Franklin Sirmans, Gilbert Vicario, TK Tyson and the Perez Arts Museum Miami
Michael Berkowitz, Whitney Hough, Landolf Rhode-Barbarigos, Prannoy Suraneni & the team at the University of Miami, including Maria Martinez
Francesca de Quesada Covey
Meenakshi Chabba, Julie Rosenfeld and The Everglades Foundation
Pamela Fuertes
Jack Abraham
Stephanie Oueda-Cruz, U.S. YL 2024

The French-American Foundation—US and French-American Foundation—France Leadership & Staff