Following the tremendous success of the first-ever Whats4u London Mixer in 2024, we are delighted to invite you to the 2025 edition!
The Art of Encounter: What Makes an Encounter Memorable
Talk × Interactive Sessions × Networking
Whats4U London Mixer 2025
Wednesday 12th November at 6:30pm
HEC UK House – 43 Parker Street WC2B 5PS
REGISTER
Whats4u is a collective initiative led by 17 alumni associations from prestigious Grandes Écoles, dedicated to supporting alumni throughout their professional journeys. This year, we will explore “The Art of Encounter – What Makes an Encounter Memorable.”
Through an inspiring talk and a series of interactive, hands-on activities, we will reflect on how connections are created, how they can be nurtured, and what makes them truly meaningful. Expect a blend of playful and thought-provoking moments designed to spark conversations and deepen connections across alumni communities.
And of course, it wouldn’t be the London Mixer without plenty of time to mingle and enjoy a convivial evening over food and drinks.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
18:30 – 18:45: Welcome drinks
18:45 – 19:45 Inspiring Talk: “The Art of Encounter”: a conversation with three leaders from the worlds of recruitment, media, and art, exploring what makes human encounters truly memorable.
Speakers
Myriam Vacher is an executive search professional specialising in technology leadership. Over the past decade, she has supported founders, investors, and boards across Europe in navigating senior hiring needs during critical growth moments. Her career spans strategy consulting, M&A, and finance across industry and professional services. Myriam holds degrees from IMD, the London School of Economics, and EDHEC Business School.
Véronique Forge-Karibian
Véronique Forge-Karibian is a journalist and media entrepreneur. She has hosted TV programmes and news magazines on French television, including Femmes d’Exception. She is also the founder of Business O Féminin, a digital media platform and professional network with over 70,000 subscribers, and the creator of the Power Girl podcast. Her work focuses on storytelling, empowerment, and building communities.
Alice Black
Alice black is the CEO and Founder of ArtULTRA, an artist management and advisory consultancy championing a more inclusive and forward-thinking art world. Formerly Co-Director of London’s Design Museum (2007–2020), she led its award-winning redevelopment in Kensington, and in 2018 the museum was named European Museum of the Year. Alice is a Governor of the London Museum, chairs its Trading Board, and serves on the Council of the Royal Academy of Arts and the British Library Advisory Committee.
19:45 – 20:30 Interactive Session: Small-group workshops designed to deepen reflection and connection through experience. Choose one of the following experiential workshop:
1 - The Art of Meeting Through Chocolate
Facilitator: Nadae Cherradi, Founder of Lalla Chocolat
Nadae is a lifelong chocolate lover from Morocco whose journey across Canada, France, Australia, and Costa Rica deepened her fascination with cacao’s richness and diversity. After creating indulgent vegan truffles to suit her dairy intolerance, she founded Lalla Chocolat as an ode to flavour, wellbeing, and Moroccan hospitality.
In this sensory workshop, you’ll explore connection through the language of taste. In small groups, you’ll take part in a blind tasting of handcrafted vegan truffles—decoding texture, intensity, and emotion. Expect rich conversation, surprising pairings, and a delicious reflection on what makes something (or someone) truly memorable.
2 - Who Am I When I Shine? – The Art of Authentic Encounter
Facilitator: Valérie Maure, Executive Coach & Founder, Oxygen Advisory
Valérie is an executive coach who blends strategic clarity with human depth, helping leaders and teams align purpose, performance, and presence. After three decades in leadership roles at Accenture, Apple, and IBM, she now designs experiences that invite reflection, laughter and real conversation, creating space for people to show up fully as who they are.
In a world of constant networking, memorable encounters don’t come from perfect pitches but rather from authentic presence!
In this highly interactive 45-minute workshop, Valérie will guide you through a playful and reflective journey to explore who you are when you connect at your best. Through coaching-inspired conversations and creative reflection, you’ll uncover what makes you memorable, practice deep listening, and leave with a clearer sense of your authentic signature so your next encounter feels more genuine, energising, and human.
3 - Improvisation & the Memorable First Encounter
Facilitators: Henri Brugère & Cécile Loyen, French British Improvisation
Henri is a French actor, writer, and director based in London for over a decade. He works across theatre, film, and improvisation, and leads workshops on public speaking and performance. Cécile is an improviser with over 15 years of experience leading theatre workshops for children and adults in London and internationally.
The French British Improvisation invites you to a highly participatory and playful improvisation workshop, where we will explore how improvisation can help anyone create memorable first encounters and capture the attention of the people they meet. No theatre or improvisation experience required!
4 - Are You Listening or Are You Listening? – The Art of Active Listening
Facilitators: Jacques Balducci & Marileen Koppenberg, Executive Coaches and Career Advisors
Jacques is a Certified Professional Coach and International Career Advisor at EDHEC Alumni, supporting graduates through career transitions, leadership development, and organisational change. With over 25 years of international experience in media and audience measurement at Médiamétrie, Euronews, and TF1, he now helps executives and teams enhance performance and navigate change with confidence.
Marileen is an ICF-accredited executive coach and communications consultant with a background in finance. After starting her career at JP Morgan in investment banking and asset management, she now works with clients to build confidence, strengthen their presence, and manage key transitions. She is a trustee of City Pay It Forward and a board member of EDHEC UK Alumni, and holds an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.
Have you ever wondered whether you are actually a good listener? How would you know?
Is your ability to listen as important as your ability to speak?
If this is tickling your curiosity, be ready to be surprised.
Come and join us for this interactive workshop on the art of Active Listening and reconnect with this priceless skill that is available to us all.
20:30 – 21:30 Networking & Closing: Continue the conversation over food and drinks.
