TEDx Talks

Ideas That Echoed Through Time: TEDxVezins at Château de Vezins

Within its historic walls, TEDxVezins brought together speakers whose ideas were grounded in experience, research, creativity, and lived truth. The result was not a series of performances, but a sequence of conversations that stayed with people long after the day ended.

Each talk added a different perspective, yet together they formed a coherent reflection on leadership, resilience, innovation, and what it means to move forward with intention.

Anne Empain

Navigating the Financial Landscape with Vision

Anne Empain offered a rare, clear-eyed view of the financial world shaped by decades of experience. From her early career in law in London to leadership roles in banking and entrepreneurship in Switzerland, she spoke about change as something to engage with rather than resist. Her talk explored how regulation, risk, and long-term thinking intersect, and why adaptability is one of the most valuable skills in modern finance. It was measured, practical, and quietly powerful.

Claire Dale

The Chemistry of Success: Physical Intelligence Unleashed

Claire Dale challenged the idea that success lives purely in the mind. Drawing on neuroscience, leadership coaching, and choreography, she introduced physical intelligence as a way of understanding how the body influences thought, behaviour, and performance. Her talk reframed leadership as something embodied rather than abstract, showing how awareness of movement, posture, and physiology can directly affect resilience and decision-making.

Francis Paraïso

Rediscovering Forgotten Composers

Francis Paraïso used music to tell a broader story about memory and omission. As a classical pianist and composer, he is dedicated to bringing neglected composers back into the spotlight. His performance at TEDxVezins was both musical and political in the quietest sense, reminding the audience that cultural history is shaped by who is remembered and who is forgotten. His work asked listeners to reconsider whose voices are allowed to endure.

Frédérique Mercier

The Power of Connection

Frédérique Mercier spoke about communication not as a technique, but as a responsibility. With her background at the Cadre Noir and in academic teaching, she explored how genuine connection is built through presence, attention, and listening. Her talk highlighted how easily communication breaks down in modern life, and how restoring meaningful interaction can change professional relationships and personal wellbeing.

Gaëlle Deschamps

Empowering Women to Lead

Gaëlle Deschamps brought decades of corporate leadership experience into a conversation about confidence and authenticity. Having worked at organisations such as L’Oréal and Coca-Cola, she understands the systems that shape leadership. Her focus, however, was on helping women step forward without shrinking themselves to fit expectations. Through her work with G Force, she demonstrated how confidence is developed through practice, clarity, and self-trust rather than perfection.

Dr Jonathan Roos

A Vision for the Future

Dr Jonathan Roos approached vision from both a medical and philosophical standpoint. As an ophthalmologist and researcher, he explained how sight works at a cellular level and how perception shapes our understanding of the world. His talk bridged science and reflection, encouraging the audience to think about how we interpret what we see, and how perception influences judgement, empathy, and identity.

Maître Dominique Saatenang

The Way of Shaolin

Maître Dominique Saatenang shared a life shaped by discipline and purpose. As the first African monk trained at the Shaolin Temple, his story carries historical significance, but his message was deeply personal. He spoke about Kung Fu as a way of living rather than fighting, rooted in consistency, self-mastery, and inner strength. His presence on stage was calm and grounded, reinforcing the values he spoke about.

Michel Shah

The Essential Soft Skills of Leadership

Michel Shah addressed a gap that many organisations still overlook. Her talk focused on soft skills not as optional extras, but as the foundation of effective leadership. Drawing from her work in education and professional development, she spoke about empathy, communication, and adaptability as essential tools in complex environments. Her message was practical and direct, resonating strongly with leaders across sectors.

Mickaël Vincent

Cultivating Life Through Gardens

Mickaël Vincent spoke about gardening as both craft and philosophy. With experience ranging from Versailles to Château Colbert, he understands growth as something that cannot be rushed. His talk used the garden as a metaphor for patience, care, and long-term thinking. In a world driven by immediacy, his perspective offered a reminder that meaningful growth takes time and attention.

Professor Hanna Roos

AI and the Future of Law

Professor Hanna Roos explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping legal systems and dispute resolution. With academic roots at Oxford and Cambridge and practical experience in AI development, she brought clarity to a complex subject. Her talk focused on responsibility, fairness, and the need for legal frameworks that evolve alongside technology rather than lag behind it.

Dr Rachna Murthy

The Intersection of Beauty and Medicine

Dr Rachna Murthy examined the space where aesthetics and health intersect. As a surgeon and researcher, she shared findings on how cosmetic ingredients affect skin and eye health. Her talk challenged assumptions within the beauty industry and called for greater transparency and care. It was a reminder that medical insight should always guide aesthetic practice.

Rosalie Audoin

Leadership Without Limits

Rosalie Audoin addressed the internal barriers that prevent many women from scaling their ambitions. As a leadership coach and mentor, she has seen how fear, conditioning, and self-doubt restrict progress. Her talk encouraged honest self-examination and offered practical ways to move beyond those limits. It was direct, empowering, and grounded in real-world experience.

Sayde Shah

The Voice of the Future

Sayde Shah closed the day with a perspective shaped by a younger generation. As a student leader, she spoke about ethics, inclusion, and responsibility with clarity and confidence. Her talk was not framed as potential, but as presence. She demonstrated that leadership does not depend on age, but on awareness and intention.