Here are five must-see speakers to energize a conference on the theme of motivation in 2026: Virginie Delalande, Laurent BERNAT, Edgar Grospiron, Sophie Lavaud, and Biliana Todorova. In a context where team engagement and mobilization are essential drivers for meeting the challenges of transformation and performance in business, motivation remains a central topic. Each of these speakers brings a unique and inspiring perspective on the keys to motivation, tailored to the current challenges of the professional world. The table below details the angle each one takes to help you identify the most relevant speaker for your needs.
| Last Name / First Name | Conference | Angle |
|---|---|---|
 Virginie Delalande Français | Give up? Never! | Give up? Never! |
 Laurent BERNAT Français | DEFLAGRATION AND RECONSTRUCTION: THE ART OF BOUNCING BACK | DEFLAGRATION AND RECONSTRUCTION: THE ART OF BOUNCING BACK |
 Edgar Grospiron Français | How to bounce back after a crisis? | How to bounce back after a crisis? |
 Sophie Lavaud Français | EVEREST, “followership,” the secrets of a successful ascent | EVEREST, “followership,” the secrets of a successful ascent |
 Biliana Todorova Français | Conference-Experience: Neuroscience at the Service of Engagement | Conference-Experience: Neuroscience at the Service of Engagement |
Our speakers on the topic
Virginie Delalande
The first profoundly deaf lawyer from birth in France, Virginie Delalande embodies the ability to overcome obstacles and turn differences into strengths. A Dame of the National Order of Merit and recognized by Forbes, she shares her unique journey on stage with authenticity and energy. Her talks invite everyone to rethink their own limits and rediscover the drive needed to move forward, even in the face of adversity.
Talk: Give Up? Never! Through her inspiring story and practical insights, Virginie Delalande instills in your teams the energy of perseverance, the power of collective effort, and the desire to push beyond limits. Participants will leave with tools to rekindle their commitment, restore cohesion, and find renewed meaning in their actions, even when faced with uncertainty. An essential talk to rekindle enthusiasm for work and reignite collective momentum.
Themes: choix, courage, resilience, depassement-de-soi, limite, reve, leadership, rebondir, esprit-dequipe, femmes, engagement, confiance-en-soi, optimisme, passion, motivation, management, handicap, perseverance, pouvoir, posture-de-leader, vulnerabilite, difference, inclusion, epanouissement, diversite, reussite, developpement-personnel, faire-la-difference, passage-a-laction, coaching, performance, egalite-homme-femme, etat-desprit, succes, innovation
Laurent BERNAT
A former paratrooper non-commissioned officer and survivor of an attack in Afghanistan, Laurent Bernat has faced extreme trials: hospitalization, physical and mental recovery, and a battle with post-traumatic stress disorder. Today, he shares his story and the lessons learned from this rebirth in powerful talks, where he explores resilience, managing adversity, and personal transformation. His authentic testimony invites everyone to draw on their own resources to overcome obstacles and move forward.
Talk: BLAST AND REBUILDING: THE ART OF GETTING BACK UP Dive into a moving account as Laurent Bernat shares how he transformed an extreme ordeal in Afghanistan into a source of strength and resilience. Participants will learn how to cultivate leadership in crisis situations, manage stress under pressure, and turn adversity into opportunity, in order to strengthen cohesion and determination within their teams.
Themes: resilience, leadership, bouncing back, team spirit, rebuilding, commitment, military, team cohesion, motivation, bounce back, crisis management
Edgar Grospiron
Edgar Grospiron made his mark at the highest level of freestyle skiing, notably winning the first Olympic gold medal in the history of his discipline. After his athletic career, he shared his experience in over a thousand corporate conferences, addressing the challenges of pushing beyond one’s limits and adapting in the face of adversity. His unique journey allows him to discuss, with authenticity and pragmatism, the ability to bounce back after a crisis. An inspiring testimony for those seeking momentum in times of transition.
Conference: How to Bounce Back After a Crisis? In this inspiring conference, Edgar Grospiron shares the keys to turning crisis into a springboard for success. Participants will discover how to overcome obstacles, rebuild on solid foundations, and create the conditions for a new collective dynamic. Everyone will leave with practical tools to develop their adaptability and turn uncertainty into a true opportunity for performance.
Themes: ethique, rebondir, esprit-dequipe, sport, gestion-de-crise, performance, motivation, management, post-covid, resilience
Sophie Lavaud
The first Swiss woman and the first French and Canadian national to have climbed all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters, Sophie Lavaud embodies perseverance and pushing one’s limits in the face of the extreme. With a background in luxury hospitality and entrepreneurship, she now shares, through her talks, the lessons learned from her Himalayan expeditions. Her story, marked by challenges and successes, inspires everyone to push beyond their own boundaries.
Talk: EVEREST, “Followership,” and the Secrets of a Successful Ascent
Through the captivating story of her ascent of Everest, Sophie Lavaud reveals the secrets of “followership”—that essential and often overlooked role within teams. Participants will discover how to develop leadership as a follower, strengthen trust within the group, and face adversity, drawing inspiration from the unique lessons of the mountains.
Topics: esprit-dequipe, motivation, followership, aventure, leadership, femmes, gestion-du-risque, oser, audace
Biliana Todorova
A doctor in immunology and passionate about neuroscience, Biliana Todorova has submitted her own brain to over a hundred clinical studies to better understand the mechanisms behind human performance. Drawing on this unique experience and her research at the Institut Pasteur, she creates practical tools to optimize both individual and collective potential. Founder of NeuroExcellence, she energetically shares the latest scientific breakthroughs to inspire daily engagement.
Talk: Conference-Experience: Neuroscience in the Service of Engagement Dive into an interactive conference-experience where neuroscience becomes a tangible ally for engagement at work. Through quizzes, collective experiments, and playful tools, you’ll discover how to transform your professional relationships, strengthen team cohesion, and create an environment that fosters motivation. Leave with immediately applicable strategies to elevate the quality of your interactions and energize your professional environment.
Topics: neurosciences, leadership, engagement, performance, motivation, crisis-management, workplace-wellbeing, management, motivation-factors, brain, team-motivation, joy, inspiring-talks, energy-transition, positive-thinking, collective-inspiration, enthusiasm, entrepreneurship, positive-influence, resilience, inspiration, feedback, collective-performance, team-cohesion, transformation, innovation, emotional-intelligence, stress-management, wellbeing