Axelle is a dual French-Canadian national who trained in international law and has a degree from Sciences Po Paris and two master’s degrees in law from Paris-Panthéon-Assas University and King’s College London. Throughout her career in the public, private and non-profit sectors, she has built up extensive, in-depth expertise in social, environmental, and ethical issues surrounding technology, in France and elsewhere in Europe.
She was a member of the French government from 2014 to 2017 as Secretary of State for Digital Affairs and Innovation, after having served as a member of France’s National Assembly starting in 2012, representing French citizens living in Northern Europe. Since then, she has worked for a European strategy consultancy, helping clients navigate their digital transformation and leading sustainable development projects.
She received a European Innovation in Politics Award in 2017 for the collaborative drafting of France’s Digital Republic Bill, and the Woman in Business Award in 2018 for her multidisciplinary, inclusive approach to business. More recently, she led strategic transformation, digital inclusion, and social innovation acceleration programmes at a major humanitarian organisation. Axelle is involved in several public interest projects, such as France’s Committee Against Modern Slavery (CCEM) and sits on the board of the Digital New Deal think-tank.