The French American Foundation has unveiled its annual selection of young leaders from both the U.S. and France, highlighting their dedication to public service and fostering transatlantic relations.
This year’s group, often referred to as “new stars,” brings together individuals with diverse expertise across various sectors like defense, law, healthcare, finance, and technology.
The 2025 cohort will join an extensive network of over 600 alumni that has included notable figures such as former President Bill Clinton, French President Emmanuel Macron, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Edward Wallace, the foundation’s board chairman, remarked, “The FAF Young Leaders program gathers the finest minds from both nations to keep our longstanding alliance dynamic and engaged.”
The initiative is designed for these young leaders to take part in two five-day seminars over the course of two years, providing them with opportunities to engage in meaningful cultural exchanges with experts.
Maya Henry, a board member and herself a young leader from 2017, noted there’s been a notable influx of participants in recent years.
Established in 1976, the French American Foundation aims to bolster French-American relations by connecting influential leaders and addressing shared challenges.
The foundation, founded by Ambassador James G. Lowenstein in 1952 post his career in foreign services in Paris, focuses on nurturing the American alliance in France.
Now with over 4,000 participants, the foundation encourages discussions around topics such as immigration, cybersecurity, and healthcare to enhance cooperative efforts across the Atlantic.
Some highlighted members of the 2025 U.S. cohort are Michelle Barberge, an associate professor at the University of Cincinnati, and David Coentanugi, a venture builder associated with MIT.
This year’s cohort also includes Jeohn Salone, the former deputy director of the Department of Homeland Security, who played a role in back-channel talks between the U.S. and Iran during the Obama administration.
Other notable young American leaders are:
Tristan Gruska – Head of Utilities and Construction at Palantir Technologies.
Camela Logan – Research Director and Product Lead at Meta Inc.
Swati Rao Metlapalli – Managing Director of Transport and Infrastructure at BNP Paribas.
Teymour Shahabi – Functional Managers and Learner Strategy at Two Sigma Investments.
Tiffany Xingyu Wang – President of Oasis Consortium and Founder of SongsheetAI.
Across the Atlantic, the group of young French leaders features Pascal Confiab, who serves as the deputy spokesman and Deputy Director of Communications at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Another member of the cohort, Guillaume Dubois, is the founder and CEO of Happyvore, which stands as the largest plant-based food factory in France.
Julien Jeanny, a professor of public law at Strasbourg University, will also participate, focusing on the legal and political nuances between France and the U.S.
Other young leaders from France include:
Lieutenant Colonel Verene Kettier – Commander of the Military Space-Based Image Squadron.
Laurent Saint Martin – Minister delegating to Europe and Foreign Affairs, overseeing trade and expatriate matters.
Angélique Delorme – Associate Director of the Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac Museum.
Fanny Marciano – Managing Director at JP Morgan, heading corporate sales for France and Nordic regions.
Mathilde Saltielle – Partner at Latham and Watkins.
Aurélie Sannier – MD, PhD, and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Paris, specializing in pathology.
For further details on the 2025 cohort, additional information can be found in the provided resource.
