There are no limits to reach your goals, apart from the ones you put on yourself, suggests the strategy and business development professional who's in charge of the creation of 10 new conferences projects within the Sub-Saharan Africa region.
I first met Marianne Mazou during the selection of Talents for the next edition of Afrodyssée. She immediately impressed me with her strong personality. Over time, I discovered that she had such an impressive career, too. She is a woman of high merit and very independent. She had the honor to host many major conferences and she has always stayed humble. She also has a great passion for Africa.
A crafty strategy and business development professional with 17 years’ experience in the UK, Switzerland an Africa, she now works for Bloomberg as Director of Partnerships. Until January 2020, she was Chief Strategic Advisor, Africa, at FT Live, where she had the mission to expand the conference business within the Sub-Saharan Africa region. She is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Swiss Red Cross Bal, which is an important source of funding for national and international programmes of all the Swiss Red Cross societies supporting people in need.
An Independent Woman with an Uncanny Talent For Running Events
#1. What is the best moment you can remember in your career?
When, after several months of back and forth communication with the Nigerian government, in Africa, with key stakeholders from the private sector, and numerous trips to Lagos / Abuja, i finally kicked start the first edition of Economist Nigerian Government Roundtable in Abuja in October 2005.
I did it all on my own, and felt a sense of pride. when the event took place and I personally welcomed the Nigerian president together with key members of his cabinet and top decision makers from the private sector from around the world, I really felt a sense of achievement.
#2. If you had to give just one piece of advice to know a junior starting his/her career, what would it be?
There are no limits to reach your goals, apart from the ones you put on yourself. Be bold, take risks, don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is part of the journey towards success:
“Failure is so important. We speak about success all the time. It is the ability to resist failure or use failure that often leads to greater success. I’ve met people who don’t want to try for fear of failing.” – J.K. Rowling
#3. Do you have a Motto/Lucky charm?
“I didn’t know it was impossible, this is why I did it!”
#4. What do you enjoy the most in your day to day job?
I am my own boss and I am driven by passion. What I enjoy the most on my day to day is the fact that nothing is set in advance. I improvise, and let my passion and creativity lead the way as the day unfold.
#5. If you had to do it again would you chose the same career path?
Definitely! YES!
#6. Where is your favourite place on earth and why?
The Swiss Riviera and especially the Lavaux region. There is a wonderful and stress free energy there, due to the combination of the Lake and the mountains that makes this region so special.
#7. How could you qualify your relationship with Ampersand World?
An amazing encounter with the Head of the company, who is an amazing and exceptional woman, extremely dynamic, a people’s person!