Media Contacts: Monique McSween | Phone: (202) 939-5882
Washington, DC – On Friday, October 18, 2013, Meridian International Center will present Chairman and CEO of Moët Hennessy, Christophe Navarre with the Meridian Corporate Leader Award. On receiving this award, Mr. Navarre will join the prestigious group of top corporate leaders who have received this special honor, including The Honorable Carlos M. Gutierrez, 35th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce and Vice Chairman of Albright Stonebridge Group and Joseph Saunders, Executive Chairman of Visa Inc, among others.
The Meridian Corporate Leader Award will be presented to Mr. Navarre at the Meridian Global Leadership Summit, a high-level forum hosted in partnership with Gallup and the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, which brings together a cross-section of ambassadors, international and domestic policy-makers, corporate leaders and prominent media figures to network and collaborate on solutions to the complex social, economic, and political problems which the world faces today.
According to Ambassador Stuart Holliday, President and CEO of Meridian International Center - "Meridian is pleased to honor Mr. Navarre for his unwavering commitment to international cooperation and global engagement. He is a remarkable model for the thousands of emerging leaders coming through Meridian each year. We are also extremely proud to be aligned with Moët Hennessy – a truly global company and a world-class leader that aligns closely with Meridian’s mission and the focus of our programs including historic preservation, global aid, development and volunteer initiatives, and art education."
The Meridian Corporate Leader Award recognizes exceptional business leaders whose vision and management abilities have helped their companies succeed in a global marketplace, increased international collaboration, and made societal impact a corporate priority. Through his outstanding vision, Mr. Navarre has impacted the growth of Moët Hennessy and taken the company and its brands to every corner of the world. He has also displayed a dedicated interest in promoting France-U.S relations and establishing stronger cultural, economic, and political ties between the two nations through several platforms, including the French- American Foundation.
Under Mr. Navarre’s leadership, Moët Hennessy’s brands serve as Cultural Ambassadors of 12 countries, including France, the United States, Poland, Scotland, Australia and Argentina in the more than 150 countries in which they are present. Through this form of exchange, Moët Hennessy creates a shared experience that builds bridges between consumers and producers throughout the world. In addition, each product gives a taste of the culture of the country in which it is produced, making Moët Hennessy’s brands an essential cultural engagement and tourism mechanism for regions around the world.
On October 18th, Mr. Navarre will co-chair the Meridian Global Leadership Summit with Dalia Mroue-Fateh, Philanthropist and Founder of Salt Productions. The Summit will feature several top speakers who will share their insights and perspectives on rethinking leadership around the globe, including:
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About Christophe Navarre
Christophe Navarre joined the LVMH Group in 1997 as President and CEO of JAS Hennessy & Co where he was deeply involved in restructuring the company while securing its leading position in the cognac industry. In May 2001, he was appointed CEO of Moët Hennessy, the Wine and Spirits division of LVMH, the world’s leading luxury goods company. He manages the prestigious champagne brands Moët & Chandon, Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart and Krug as well as Hennessy, Glenmorangie and Ardbeg Scotch whiskies, 10 Cane rum, Belvedere vodka and several wines of the New World. Among his other official positions, Christophe Navarre serves as a Board Member of the Comité Colbert and Member of the HEINEKEN Advisory Board. Mr. Navarre was named Officier de la Légion d'Honneur, Commandeur de l’Ordre du Mérite Agricole, Commandeur de l’Ordre de Léopold II, and Officier de l’Ordre de la Couronne.
About Meridian International Center
Meridian International Center, founded in 1960, is a leading non-partisan, not-for-profit institution dedicated to strengthening international understanding and global engagement. Meridian works with the U.S. State Department and U.S. embassies worldwide to create lasting international partnerships through leadership and cultural exchanges. Meridian also connects U.S. and foreign governments with the private sector to respond to global challenges and sustain impact.
Meridian’s mission is to create innovative exchange, education, cultural, and policy programs that advance three goals: