As head of the Innovation division of the French Red Cross, Pauline Blanc-Patin (M.17) leads a life dedicated to human and social commitment. One of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations is thus supported by a young leader with sharp ambitions to improve the resilience of individuals and communities in the face of contemporary challenges, especially concerning digitalization. Portrait of a visionary.

The French Red Cross has always been strongly feminine. During World Wars I and II, it was primarily women volunteers who provided first aid to wounded soldiers. Today, the 75,000-strong volunteer base is 60% female. Pauline follows in the footsteps of her predecessors to bring a fresh perspective to current challenges.

Studies Focused on Humanitarian Causes

After completing preparatory studies in economics in Douai, the young woman with a promising future entered HEC Paris in 2012. Five years later, in June 2017, she graduated with a master’s in management, specializing in social impact throughout her studies. “As soon as I arrived in Jouy-en-Josas, I took every opportunity to move closer to a humanitarian mission.” She traveled to Casablanca, where she helped local youth develop an interest in entrepreneurship through an association with fellow students.

Upon returning from Morocco, Pauline took advantage of an HEC program called “Planète d’entrepreneurs,” which allowed students to embark on a year-long international mission focused on social impact. Accompanied by friends, she set out on a world tour, from Indonesia to Madagascar.
“When I returned to HEC, I pursued a master’s in sustainable development and social innovation. It was thanks to this program and my professor, David Ménasce, who leads the consulting firm Archipel&CO, that I found my job!” she says gratefully. Pauline then spent three years as a social innovation consultant at this firm.

My missions were mainly field-based, internationally focused, and centered on impoverished populations living in slums. My job was to visit these people in their homes to better understand their living conditions and then explain to major brands how they could design products or solutions to meet the needs of these populations. It was quite the leap from the slums of Nairobi to La Défense, she jokes.

While these global social experiences enriched her, the onset of COVID-19 put an end to her travels. Looking for a socially impactful job closer to home, Pauline first joined the French Red Cross three years ago.

Transformations at the Red Cross

Pauline is brimming with ambition. At just 32, she quickly climbed the ranks within the organization, from Digital Inclusion Manager to Deputy Director of Strategy/Innovation/Transformation/Impact, and ultimately becoming Director of Innovation France in June 2023.

Under her leadership, the division’s projects have gained new momentum. She has accelerated the digital transformation of the organization and the development of digital tools. One key initiative is the launch of an emergency management app called Minutis, which debuted at the beginning of her tenure. “This tool allows us to geolocate our teams and vehicles in real-time and manage emergency services live,” she proudly explains.

The organization’s facilities are now equipped with digital tools and computers to make work easier for employees across different sites. The goal is to experiment with various digital solutions to open up new possibilities for helping the population. “We use digital tools throughout the Red Cross’s activities to improve efficiency and impact on the people we serve. For example, in facilities for the elderly, we’re working with virtual reality tools to offer travel experiences and music therapy, stimulating their senses, evoking memories, relaxing them, and reducing anxiety.”

The second major aspect of the Innovation team’s impact is the emergence of new topics previously unexplored by the Red Cross, particularly digital inclusion. “How do we connect people who don’t necessarily have a computer at home or are confused by digital tools? This issue surfaced significantly during the lockdowns of the pandemic. We saw people completely lost, regardless of their age. We also lost young people who couldn’t keep up with remote classes or didn’t know how to submit documents to their teachers via online platforms. That’s why we launched the digital inclusion program in 2020. To date, we’ve supported over 25,000 people, and it has become a core activity of the Red Cross,” she explains.

Inspiring the World through Change Now

We’ve been here since the beginning.

The Red Cross is the first humanitarian organization to participate in Change Now, the world expo of solutions for the planet, held for the past four years under the glass dome of the Grand Palais Éphémère. “The expo focuses mainly on environmental issues. So today, our goal is to reconcile humans and the environment. We address human issues, which are often overshadowed by climate change. Our ambition is to grow the dialogue between environmental and social aspects,” she asserts with conviction. Indeed, the Red Cross’s volunteers and rescuers are on the front lines during climate disasters, helping affected individuals recover.

Pauline Blanc-Patin is a leading figure in social innovation in France. Her ability to turn challenges into opportunities, combined with extensive field experience and a strategic vision, makes her an inspiring leader within the French Red Cross.

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