Here are five must-see speakers to liven up a conference on optimism in 2026: Delphine LUGINBUHL, Michel Poulaert, CsP, Paul Fontaine, Deborah Pardo, and Jean-Luc Hudry. In a context where companies are facing constant challenges and the need for rapid adaptation, cultivating optimism proves to be a true driver of performance, engagement, and collective resilience. Each of these speakers brings a unique approach, enriched by their own experience and expertise, to address this essential topic from different perspectives. The table below details the specific viewpoint each one develops during their presentations. This panel thus offers a comprehensive and pragmatic vision of optimism as applied to the professional world.
| Last Name / First Name | Conference | Angle |
|---|---|---|
 Delphine LUGINBUHL Français | Diversity, optimism, and humanity in action: what if our differences were the most underutilized resource in your teams? | She values optimism as a lever for cohesion and inclusion within teams. |
 Michel Poulaert, CsP Français | The Audacity of Optimism | The Boldness of Optimism |
 Paul Fontaine Français | STEEL MINDSET - Boost your mindset Galvanize your teams Open your heart | STEEL MINDSET - Boost your mindset Galvanize your teams Open your heart |
 Deborah Pardo Français | Being aware of the state of the World and being optimistic is possible! | It shows that we can remain optimistic and proactive in the face of ecological challenges. |
 Jean-Luc Hudry Français | Concrete optimism makes you stronger: 5 decisions that change everything! | Concrete optimism makes you stronger: 5 decisions that change everything! |
Our speakers on the topic
Delphine LUGINBUHL
An engineer by training, Delphine Luginbuhl chose to redirect her career toward occupational psychology and coaching, driven by a desire to put people and connection back at the heart of organizations. With 25 years of experience, she now supports leaders and managers in valuing diversity and strengthening collective dynamics. Her pragmatic approach, infused with humor and real-life experiences, encourages us to see differences as a source of energy and motivation for teams.
Talk: Diversity, Optimism, and Humanity in Action: What if our differences were your teams’ most underused resource?
Discover how to transform the diversity within your teams into a tremendous source of cooperation, innovation, and collective engagement. In this talk, you’ll explore concrete approaches to valuing each individual’s uniqueness, cultivating a positive outlook, and enhancing humanity at work, in order to create dynamics where everyone finds their place and contributes fully to shared success.
Topics: diversite, inclusion, cohesion-dequipe, engagement, optimisme, motivation, qvt, collaboration, esprit-dequipe
Michel Poulaert, CsP
Michel Poulaert, certified professional speaker, stands out for his infectious energy and humor, which he brings to impactful talks inspired by his background as a sales executive and his 20 years in international trade. Founder of the École de Conférenciers Professionnels and co-founder of the Journée de l’Audace, he authentically shares how boldness and the ability to turn failure into opportunity have shaped his journey. His flagship presentation, “The Boldness of Optimism,” encourages audiences to approach change with enthusiasm and confidence.
Talk: The Boldness of Optimism In this inspiring talk, Michel Poulaert invites you to explore the power of bold optimism in the face of today’s challenges. You’ll discover how to transform your perceptions, activate practical solutions, and cultivate a clear-sighted optimism—both individually and collectively—to bring out the best in yourself, your teams, and turn crises into lasting opportunities.
Topics: commerce, sales, customer relations, customer experience, service, sales force, customer satisfaction, sales performance, optimism, management, boldness, customer service, marketing, humor at work, failure management, resilience, inspiration, failure, leadership, risk management, change management, inspiring speeches, motivation, success, youtube, self-improvement, well-being, tedx, opportunity, project success, change, creativity, achievement, succeed, negotiation, determination, enthusiasm, positive, agility, kindness
Paul Fontaine
Paul Fontaine, certified professional speaker and accomplished athlete despite living with cystic fibrosis, has taken on extraordinary challenges such as climbing Mont Blanc, Kilimanjaro, and crossing the Alps solo with only 55% lung capacity. His journey, fueled by infectious energy and a deeply human vision, encourages us to see every obstacle as an opportunity for growth. Through his talks, he authentically conveys the power of unwavering commitment to life, love, and action. His unique story offers an inspiring perspective on the ability to turn adversity into a driving force.
Talk: STEEL MINDSET – Boost Your Mindset Energize Your Teams Open Your Heart Dive into an inspiring talk where Paul Fontaine, adventurer and professional speaker, shares his remarkable journey and his “Steel Mindset” philosophy. Through authentic and powerful stories, he shares the keys to resilience, pushing past your limits, and opening your heart, to strengthen team cohesion and bring a renewed sense of meaning and optimism to your organization.
Themes: esprit-dequipe, inclusion, changement, developpement-personnel, optimisme, motivation, vision, reve, amour, handicap, valeurs, audace, empowerment, rebond, resilience, depassement-de-soi
Deborah Pardo
A PhD in ecology, Deborah Pardo has conducted cutting-edge research on albatrosses and the impact of human activities in polar regions, before co-founding Earthship Sisters and Earthship Generations to support women and organizations committed to the ecological transition. The first French woman to take part in the largest all-female scientific expedition to Antarctica, she has received several awards for her dedication. Through her talks, she offers a clear-eyed yet hopeful perspective on environmental challenges, inviting everyone to act with confidence for the future.
Talk: Being aware of the state of the world and staying optimistic—yes, it’s possible! Through a captivating deep dive into major environmental issues, Deborah Pardo reveals how to combine clear-sightedness about the state of the world with active optimism. You’ll discover key scientific data, concrete action levers, and inspiring leadership to help you become, in your own way, an agent of change working toward a meaningful and sustainable future.
Topics: biodiversite, leadership, femmes, environnement, innovation, conduite-du-changement, ecologie, pollution, optimisme, scientifique, changement-climatique, psychologie-positive, climat, plastique, inspiration
Jean-Luc Hudry
Jean-Luc Hudry draws on a rare career path: at the age of 27, he took over a family business that everyone had written off, saved it through bold choices and collective mobilization, and then endured a long entrepreneurial and family struggle. With twenty years at the helm of more than a thousand employees, he shares—with humor and realism—practical keys to approaching difficult situations differently and turning adversity into drivers for action.
Talk: Concrete Optimism Makes You Stronger: 5 Decisions That Change Everything! Discover how to turn optimism into a concrete lever for performance through the unique experience of Jean-Luc Hudry. In this interactive talk, you’ll learn to make five key decisions to boost motivation, confidence, and effectiveness in the face of professional challenges. Leave with practical tools, immediately applicable, to spark a positive and lasting dynamic within your teams.
Topics: esprit-dequipe, changement, conduite-du-changement, positif, management, transformation, cohesion-dequipe, ressources-humaines, confiance-en-soi, bien-etre-au-travail, optimisme, motivation, efficacite