With Stéphane Lopez (EDHEC 1991), SOLIDARITE SIDA is nominee for the Socially Responsible Organisation Award of 2017

Fresh out of EDHEC, Stéphane started his career in the financial departments of major groups (Whirlpool, Limagrain), before leaving to fulfil his childhood dream of travelling around Latin America on his own. Following this life experience, he felt it was essential to be part of an environment that would satisfy his need for social utility. He approached Action Contre la Faim, who asked him to serve as project leader, overseeing its nutrition, healthcare and water access programmes in South Sudan. This was followed by a series of missions lasting nearly 5 years in Uganda, Ethiopia, Guatemala and Burma, where he witnessed the human rights violations committed by the ruling junta.

In the late 1990s, about to turn 30, he decided to return to France to “build his life here”. His appetite for working on a project of solidarity was still strong, and he came into contact with AERI, an association that uses art therapy to achieve revitalisation and social reinsertion for people facing extreme difficulties (drug addicts, HIV-positive patients, etc.). He served as the association’s finance and operations manager for 3 years, before taking over as CFO at ACTED, while remaining on a voluntary basis on the AERI board of trustees, which he chairs. 

While enjoying the Solidays festival on a June weekend in Paris, he was struck by the enthusiasm and positive energy of the volunteers he saw at this charitable event. A few months later, in 2004, he joined SOLIDARITE SIDA, which organises Solidays, as Secretary General. This association raises awareness of sexual risks (HIV/STDs) among young people and helps patients by supporting around 100 projects in France and elsewhere. He went on to structure its support functions and optimise its innovative economic model, with close links to social entrepreneurship. He now serves as its deputy managing director, with more of a focus on developing its programmes.

What keeps him going after all these years? Taking pleasure from his work, facilitating the emergence of collective dynamics… and experiencing them first-hand!