Telecom giant Orange announced today that it has hired Elisabeth Tchoungui as its new Executive Director CSR, Diversity and Philanthropy. Previously, the CSR role at Orange was held by Christine Albanel, who will be leaving the company after serving as Senior Executive Vice-President of CSR, Diversity, Partnerships and Philanthropy, and as Deputy Chair of the Orange Foundation.

Ms. Tchoungui joins Orange from a career in journalism and writing, most recently serving as a television presenter for France 2. She was the first African female journalist to host the daily news show on TV5 Monde as well as the first woman to present the prime-time weekly cultural talk show on France 2. Ms. Tchoungui has also written several books, including “The day you were born a second time”, her account of her son’s autism, “Je vous souhaite la pluie,” “Bamako Climax,” “Billets d’Humeur au féminin”as well as publishing short stories on the aufeminin.com website.

Today’s announcement was made as part of a broad restructuring of Orange’s Executive Committee, which also included the following leadership changes:

• Ramon Fernandez, Delegate CEO, becomes Executive Director Finance, Performance and Development; in the context of the global economic crisis, he will be responsible for preserving the Group’s financial position while overseeing flagship projects to take Orange into the future.
• Gervais Pellissier, Delegate CEO, becomes Executive Director Human Resources and Group Transformation; his key responsibilities include defining “the company of tomorrow” and tackling the skills challenge.
• Mari-Noëlle Jégo-Laveissière, Deputy CEO, will oversee Orange’s operational activities in Europe (outside France) focused in particular on the roll out of 5G and fibre.
• Michaël Trabbia will join the Executive Committee to in the role of Chief Technology and Innovation Officer for the Group, overseeing the Technology & Global Innovation division. His role will be to seize the opportunities presented by upcoming technologies such as AI, data and 5G and to set-up the Group as a major player in the new innovation ecosystem. A new CEO for Orange Belgium will be appointed by the end of June.  
• Béatrice Mandine will have an expanded role as Executive Director Communications, Engagement and Brand. One of her key priorities will be to accelerate the brand strategy and oversee the Orange purpose.