My Story
I was born in Paris in the late 1960s into a lively family shaped more by books, values, spirited discussions, and care for the community than by ambition or wealth.
My mother, a brilliant mathematician and a descendant of astrophysicist François Croze, chose to become a schoolteacher and went on to teach thirty generations of children to read.
My father, an artist and former student at the École Normale Supérieure, was a lecturer in art and art history who nurtured generations of artists, some of whom went on to gain international recognition.
Our home—without a television—was grounded in Protestant traditions, a love of reading, a deep appreciation for Jewish culture, a commitment to truth, service to others, and a strong work ethic—far above the pursuit of personal or professional success.
In my early twenties, the fall of the Berlin Wall marked a turning point. While it liberated nations, it also left neoliberal capitalism unchecked—without a counter-model. This moment sparked in me a desire to rethink the dominant economic paradigms of the 20th century.
Though my initial idea of a doctorate bridging economics, finance, and theology was considered too unconventional, I pursued mathematics and international finance. My academic journey took me across Europe and the United States, culminating in a doctoral program in management sciences at the Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium. My research focused on international finance, particularly on option pricing in continuous time.
I then joined Mars Incorporated in the mid-1990s, becoming Chief Economist and head of its internal think tank, Catalyts, with global coverage spanning all continents.
A pivotal conversation with Mars’ leadership in 2007 —“What should be the right level of profit?”—opened the door to a decade-long journey.
We developed the Economics of Mutuality, a new school of thought and management innovation, embedding the mutuality of benefits (value sharing) into value creation, in partnership with Oxford University.
The model was tested globally and gained traction with companies, universities, and cities, leading to the publication of Completing Capitalism and Putting Purpose into Practice—in both English and Mandarin.
After spinning off the initiative as an external platform backed by Mars, I led it through key milestones—including partnerships with the UN and a strong reception in China.
I founded and co-chair ONE Society, an independent foundation advancing systemic change in business, policy, and education, with a vision for a just economy (an economics of mutuality) for a just society.
Today, I work globally at the intersection of business, civil society, and academia.
I’ve been married for over thirty years to Marianne, a development economist and social entrepreneur, and we have four children pursuing meaningful paths in academia, social entrepreneurship, journalism in Ukraine, medical engineering, and Reformation history.
When young people seek advice, I often say: your identity is the key to your purpose. When the two align, we find both our calling and our wholeness.
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Speaking
Over the past fifteen years, I’ve had the joy and privilege of presenting the Economics of Mutuality to audiences across the globe — from intimate roundtables to stadium-sized gatherings.
Whether I’m speaking to a handful of decision-makers or tens of thousands of participants, I bring the same passion, clarity, and commitment to every stage.
The record? At the launch of our latest book in China — right in the middle of the COVID era — we reached hundreds of thousands of people online simultaneously.
That moment reaffirmed something I’ve believed from the very beginning: this is not just a management innovation — it’s a movement for a just economy and a just society.
I’ve learned to adapt this message to fit any format — from a 5-minute pitch to a multi-day masterclass.
But what matters most is not speaking to people — it’s speaking with them. It’s about building connection, sparking dialogue, and generating momentum.
If you’re looking for a speaker who can inspire, challenge, and truly engage your audience — let’s talk.
Zaojiu “Ted Talk”
Shanghai, China
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Coaching
I coach people to lead with purpose — not power.
Investing in others so that they, in turn, can invest in those around them has always been central to what I see as my mission — and my life’s work — in advancing the Economics of Mutuality.
I work alongside young entrepreneurs, students, and accomplished executives alike, helping them explore and define their true identity, understand how they foster belonging, and align their lives and leadership with a deep sense of purpose.
Step by step, I guide them to realize that true leadership is not about holding power over others or controlling situations, but about humbly serving a common purpose, nurturing trust, honoring relationships — past and future — and acting with justice in our daily work by prioritizing the common good.
It is about harnessing the richness of diverse talents and investing in people who are driven by purpose beyond self-interest, and who strive to meet the highest standards of creativity, responsibility, and excellence.
If you’re looking for a coach to walk with you — not ahead of you — I’d be glad to start the conversation.
Executive Education
I’ve had the privilege of teaching the Economics of Mutuality at leading universities around the world — from Oxford’s Saïd Business School, Sciences Po in Paris, INSEAD, and Singapore Management University, to CEIBS in Shanghai, and more recently at Wharton in the U.S. In addition to academic courses, I’ve also designed and delivered executive education programs — both within established institutions like Oxford and through intimate, high-level private workshops. Educating current and future leaders lies at the heart of my mission: to equip the next generation with the mindset and tools to build profitable businesses that solve social and environmental problems — not profit by creating them. If you’re looking for a speaker, visiting professor, or guest lecturer for your university, business school, or executive leadership program, I’d be delighted to explore opportunities to collaborate. Let’s connect.
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- A quiet warning to the church and societyOn January 13, 2017—my 50th birthday—through a series of providential and unexpected turns, I received an unexpected present. I was invited to meet Pope Francis to discuss a subject close to his heart: The Economy of the Poor. Today, on the day of his transitus, as some believers call it, I find myself remembering that… Read more: A quiet warning to the church and society
- My Story (long version)I was born in Paris in the late 1960s into a lively family shaped more by books, values, spirited discussions, and care for the community than by ambition or wealth. My mother, a brilliant mathematician and a descendant of the French astrophysicist François Croze, chose to become a schoolteacher and went on to teach thirty… Read more: My Story (long version)
- Economics of Mutuality honored in ChinaIn November 2022, just a few months before I stepped down from leading the Economics of Mutuality platform to found ONE Society, I was grateful to see Economics of Mutuality recognized twice at the prestigious For Good Awards—an event that reached over 7.6 million viewers. Business for Good Top 10 Companies AwardThe Township Entrepreneur Last Mile Project, a program led by Mars Wrigley China based… Read more: Economics of Mutuality honored in China
- Hello !Today, March 21st, 2025—the first day of spring—I’m launching my website with this very first post. I’m excited to create this platform—a space to share, exchange, learn, and engage. “Truth begins with two people,” said German philosopher Karl Jaspers.Let’s take that as a call to action—for all who care about truth enough to seek it… Read more: Hello !
