We asked Anne Thevenet-Abitbol, Director of Foresight and New Concepts at Danone and Editorial and Artistic Director of the EVE Program.

EVE Program: Hello Anne. Why is EVE called EVE?

Anne Thévenet-Abitbol : EVE comes from Eve, of course ! Of which we can say that she was the first actor of change... by bringing knowledge to man ;-)

But also, because the international edition takes place every year in Evian, and it's about EVEil and EVolution.

Finally, EVE is a palindrome, it is read from right to left and from left to right. The image is that of an E for men and an E for women, which are harmoniously and equally articulated around the V.

EVE Program: The V for Victory?

Anne Thevenet-Abitbol : No, the V which graphically represents a link and an opening upwards. EVE is not a vindictive program. The starting point is to admit that we, women and men, have a co-responsibility for the existence of the glass ceiling. It is not a question of attacking men or making women feel guilty, but rather of offering awareness and confidence to work together in a more harmonious and efficient way.

We wanted EVE to be a leadership program and not a political program. EVE focuses on the business world and is driven by the deep conviction that gender balance and the balance of each individual are a source of sustainable economic and social performance. The program is driven by the ambition to change the ways of seeing and acting of everyone to contribute to changing organizations.

EVE Program: Who had the idea to create the EVE program?

Anne Thévenet-Abitbol: The EVE Program is an initiative of Danone, supported since its inception in 2010 by L'Oréal, Orange, Crédit Agricole, KPMG, SNCF and Caisse des Dépôts, main partners.

Anne Thevenet-Abitbol & Franck Riboud at the EVE International 2016 seminar

The request came from Franck Riboud, then CEO of Danone, to create an event that could advance women in organizations, and to do it together with other companies. 
We realized that when a position is offered, usually an interested man applies, a woman waits to be picked up. And a woman estimates that she needs 80% of the skills to feel legitimate when a man puts less constraints on himself.

From this very simple observation, we decided to create a " soft skills " program that allows women to gain confidence and men to become aware of the difficulties and differences in their functioning.

EVE Program: The choice to name this leadership program brings an extra embodiment. Can it also contribute to changing the mindset of individuals ?

Anne Thévenet-Abitbol: There is a strong symbolic significance in seeing change not as processes but as an incarnation, because to be an " EVE " — or a EVEsien.ne — is to inscribe in one's identity, in one's daily life, in one's practices, the spirit of transformation and the culture of balance. It is, to use our motto, " dare to be yourself in order to be able to act ".

The seminar, whether in Evian, Shanghai or Singapore and soon in Dakar, is an experience to be lived. Those who have experienced it testify not only to their enthusiasm on site, but also to how it has changed durably for them.

Stay connecté.es EVE

Throughout the year, day after day, find the latest news on balanced leadership and the actions of partner companies, the contributions of influencers from all over the world, advice, figures, and deciphering on gender diversity :

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