Announcing the 2023 Class of Young Leaders

The French-American Foundation is proud to announce its 2023 class of Young Leaders. Created in 1981, the Foundation’s Young Leaders program is a transatlantic leadership program that brings together a vibrant group of rising stars from a vast array of sectors whose common link is their passion for forging bonds in a globalized world and using their influence for the common good.

In October 2023, French & American Young Leaders will gather in Strasbourg, France for an intensive five-day program to learn, network and generate dialogue on leadership and advancing towards common goals on both sides of the Atlantic. The annual seminar provides an opportunity for Young Leaders to make meaningful connections, to engage in pertinent discussion, and to grow their understanding of and commitment to strengthening French-American ties.

Alumni of the Young Leaders program include more than 500 inspiring people: entrepreneurs and technology experts; fighter pilots and military commanders; lawyers and diplomats; artists, novelists, filmmakers, and professional athletes; and heads of state. US alumni include President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of India Eric Garcetti, late journalist Gwen Ifill, financial executive Dina Powell-McCormick, and former World Bank President Robert Zoellick. French alumni include astronaut Thomas Pesquet, mathematician and politician Cédric Villani, current French President Emmanuel Macron, and current Mayor of Le Havre Edouard Philippe.

2023 US Young Leaders

Vilas Dhar, President and Trustee, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation

Melissa Dombrock, Senior Fellow, George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies; Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force

Tatyana Franck, President, FIAF – French Institute Alliance Francaise

Aisha Fukushima, Singer-Songwriter; Justice Strategist; Founder of RAPtivism

Adam Jones, Vice President, Redesign Health

Sarah Martin, Major, United States Army

Rahul Rekhi, Managing Director, Lazard

Julia Rubalevskaya, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley

Cecile Schmollgruber, Chief Executive Officer, Stereolabs Inc.

Shannon Walker, Cardiologist, University of California at San Francisco

2023 French Young Leaders

Alice Albizzati, Founding Partner, Revaia

Lyes Boudechiche, Head of Programs, Canal + and Head, Studio Bagel

Vincent Bryant, Chief Executive Officer and Cofounder, Deepki

Henri Buffeteau, French Foreign Legion Officer, Army Office of the French Secretary of Defense

Thomas Clozel, CEO and co-founder, OWKIN Inc

Yosra Jarraya, co-founder and CEO, Astran

Jean-Christophe Lambert, CEO, Ascendance Flight Technologies

Elise Lavielle, Subprefect, Deputy-head of the cabinet of the Paris Police Prefect

Sophie Marchessou, Chief Customer Officer, Mirakl