Tangible philanthropy for sustainable impact

As President of the Fondation Philanthropique Next, Thierry Mauvernay champions a pragmatic and modern vision of social commitment: the professionalization of philanthropy. Convinced that generosity must be paired with a demand for results, he applies the principles of rigor, strategy, and efficiency—which drove the success of his business endeavors—to the foundation. Under his leadership, the Fondation Philanthropique Next prioritizes levers of empowerment such as micro-credit and support for entrepreneurship, providing beneficiaries with the means to build their own futures rather than relying on temporary assistance. This structured approach never loses sight of the human element. It acts as a powerful driving force in supporting priority causes such as education (viewed as the primary vehicle for emancipation), humanitarian aid (managed with a focus on responsiveness and direct impact on the ground), and autism (through programs promoting inclusion and tailored support). Drawing on his MBA from the Institut d'Administration des Entreprises and his executive leadership at the Après-demain Group, Thierry Mauvernay demonstrates that rigorous, entrepreneurial management is the best way to maximize social impact and transform lives for the long term.

As Vice President of the Fondation Philanthropique Next, Ms. Nadine Mauvernay places human values and the transmission of knowledge at the heart of her societal commitment. A career professor and graduate of the Sorbonne (Paris), Ms. Mauvernay has devoted a significant portion of her professional life to teaching English and French, particularly to individuals in the process of professional reintegration. This hands-on experience has shaped her core belief: philanthropy must, above all, restore confidence and autonomy to its beneficiaries. She strives to ensure that the Foundation’s initiatives incorporate, whenever possible, an educational and inclusive dimension.

Ms. Johanna Colas holds a Master’s degree in Applied Foreign Languages (LEA) in Business and Trade from the University of Montpellier. She further enhanced her education with a specialization in Public Relations & Media from the University of Colorado Boulder. After beginning her career as Communications Manager within a financial holding company and subsequently leading the communications department of an audiovisual agency, she joined Après-demain in May 2022. Today, she holds a cross-functional role: Secretary of the Foundation and Communications Manager for Après-demain. Furthermore, she contributes her local communication and audiovisual production expertise to Debiopharm.

For several years, Cédric Mauvernay has been committed to a structured, responsible, and impact-driven approach to philanthropy. An EMBA graduate and member of the Advisory Board of the Debiopharm Chair for Family Philanthropy (IMD Lausanne), he contributes to strategic thought leadership regarding governance, the transmission of values, and the operational effectiveness of family foundations. With a background in investment and corporate strategy, Cédric leverages his professional expertise to foster a pragmatic philanthropy grounded in rigorous methodologies and a long-term vision. Deeply engaged with the challenges of education, responsible economic development, and environmental impact, he strives to enhance the capacity of philanthropic initiatives to generate sustainable and measurable change. His approach is built primarily on listening, consistency, and responsibility, driven by the conviction that performance and impact can—and must—go hand in hand.

Martial Paris is the managing partner at WISE–philanthropy advisors, one of the most respected philanthropy consulting firms in Europe. He joined WISE in 2008 before becoming Director of Strategy and Impact and later Managing Partner in 2019. Martial advises individuals and foundations on project identification, strategic planning, grant management, and impact evaluation. He bases his work on a wide and varied range of experience in social development and has visited or contributed to more than 150 projects in nearly 20 countries across Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Europe. Martial is also a board member of the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, where he holds the position of Treasurer. He also teaches in various training programs in Switzerland, drawing on his field experience.

Etienne Eichenberger is the managing partner of WISE–philanthropy advisors, one of the most respected philanthropy consulting firms in Europe. He supports individual donors, entrepreneurs, and foundations in developing their strategic engagement and implementing their projects, while optimizing the social impact of their actions. Etienne also holds the position of Chairman of the Board of Swiss Philanthropy Foundation and sits on the Advisory Board of the Debiopharm Chair of Family Philanthropy at IMD. He is also the co-author of the Family Philanthropy Navigator.