Dr Vanessa Marcié
FR/EN
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Keynote speaker · Executive coach

Dr Vanessa
Marcié The expert turning humour into a serious leadership skill.

Pioneer of management-through-humour theory, Harvard Business Review France contributor, and guest speaker at top business schools — Cambridge, HEC Paris and Oxford. Keynotes built on science, 20+ years in business, and the stage craft of a stand-up comedian.

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Dr Vanessa Marcié, conférencière sur l’humour et le leadership
PhD, Organisational Communication Executive MBA, University of Cambridge HBR France contributor Stand-up comedian Founder of Leading With Humour
Keynotes

Five themes, one superpower.

Every keynote blends behavioural science, real business experience and genuine humour — tailored to your audience, in English or French.

01

Leading with humour

Why humour is the most underrated leadership skill — and how to use it with precision.

02

Innovation & creativity

How playfulness unlocks the bold thinking behind real innovation.

03

Resilience

Humour as a proven way to absorb pressure and bounce back stronger.

04

Diversity & inclusion

Opening honest conversations on sensitive topics, with tact and lightness.

05

Leading through crisis

Keeping teams together and decisions clear when everything is on fire.

Also available for non-profits, business schools and universities.

On stage
Serious ideas, delivered with a stand-up edge.

From boardrooms to 2,000-seat conventions, Vanessa makes leadership science land — because a room that laughs together, thinks together.

On stage

See the effect in the room.

The energy, the laughter and the packed rooms — a glimpse of Vanessa on stage.

Dr Vanessa Marcié speaking in front of an audience Showreel — Dr Vanessa Marcié
Vanessa Marcié on stage in front of a large audience
A smiling audience at a keynote
Dr Vanessa Marcié
About

The rigour of a researcher, the timing of a comedian.

Dr Vanessa Marcié is the founder of Leading With Humour, an innovative consultancy, and a pioneer of management-through-humour theory. She holds a PhD in Organisational Communication (Université Côte d’Azur) and an Executive MBA from the University of Cambridge.

A contributor to Harvard Business Review France and author of two books, she advises and speaks for organisations worldwide — from Unilever to EDF — and is a guest speaker at top business schools such as Cambridge, HEC Paris and Oxford. Her keynotes draw on behavioural science, 20+ years in business and her experience as a stand-up comedian.

PhD in Organisational Communication · Executive MBA, University of Cambridge
Contributor — Harvard Business Review France
Clients: Unilever, LinkedIn, Inmarsat, BPI France, UK Dept. for International Trade
Full story
Trusted by
Unilever LinkedIn Inmarsat Sky BDO Atos Vinci Panzani Orange EDF Engie RTE Banque de France BPI France Groupama MGEN Hyatt Schneider Electric UKG GRTgaz Bureau Veritas M comme Mutuelle Caisse d’Épargne Banque Populaire HEC Paris University of Cambridge
In their words

What audiences say.

Wonderful energy and great public-speaking skills — her talk was both entertaining and informative.

INInmarsat
International Women’s Week

I couldn’t recommend this session highly enough. Vanessa was engaging and funny while sharing her extensive knowledge. Fantastic — thank you!

IHIHS Markit
Project Manager

A top speaker on humour as strategic support for leaders — tested and approved. Call Vanessa!

ALAurélien Lallemant
Head of Communication, Le Village by CA

Vanessa captivated nearly 2,000 managers across the EDF Group. So much freshness and conviction, backed by research.

SKStephany Kong
Marketing, EDF Université

Your energy impressed everyone. It’s as if you kept us on the edge of our seats for three hours! Bravo.

VMVanessa Miler-Fels
Global VP, Schneider Electric

Wonderful energy and great public-speaking skills — weeks later, our teams were still talking about it!

LJLaurence Jacob
Inmarsat
See all testimonials
As featured in
Financial Times Harvard Business Review Le Monde Les Echos Le Figaro L’Express Le Parisien La Tribune ELLE Welcome to the Jungle The European Business Review BFM TV Management Capital Femme Actuelle Courrier Cadres Ouest France France Bleu La Nouvelle République Cosmopolitan
The books

Two books, one method.

Published references on humour, leadership and management — the foundation behind every keynote.

Le pouvoir de l’humour
Le pouvoir de l’humour
Eyrolles · 2022 · in French

Develop your leadership, build trust and master the art of the comeback.

Discover & order
Le manager qui voulait devenir leader
Le manager qui voulait devenir leader
Vuibert · 2026 · in French

Eight rules to reveal and own your leadership.

Discover & order
Let’s talk
Bring Vanessa to your stage.

Conventions, leadership offsites, business schools — in English or French. Tell us about your event.

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Dr Vanessa Marcié speaking on stage