Disability and Leadership: Why are these two words still so rarely seen together?

In June 2025, Page Executive France hosted a roundtable in Paris to explore the intersection of disability, power, and leadership – a conversation still too uncommon in the executive sphere.

The event was led by Marlène Ribeiro, Managing Director at Page Executive Continental Europe, and brought together four inspiring voices who shared their lived experiences with honesty, courage, and hope:

• Sophie Cluzel, Former Secretary of State for People with Disabilities
• Virginie Delalande, Lawyer and Founder of HANDICAPOWER
• Ksénia Chasteau, Former World No.1 Junior in Wheelchair Tennis
• Arnaud Trier, Regional Finance Director at PageGroup

Together, they addressed the critical question of why disability remains largely absent from conversations about leadership — and how this can and must change.

Some of the key topics discussed included:

• The importance of making disability a visible topic among senior leadership
• The responsibility of executives to inform, raise awareness, and drive accountability for inclusion
• The progress that’s been made — and the road ahead in fostering professional inclusiveness
• The unique value and skills that professionals with disabilities bring to leadership and business

At Page Executive, we believe that inclusive leadership is not a trend or a checkbox – it is a core element of strong, future-proof organisations. As an executive search firm, we are committed to keeping this dialogue alive and pushing for real, systemic change at the top.

Marlène Ribeiro
Managing Partner & Head of the Technology Practice

Marlène Ribeiro is widely recognised as a forward-thinking leader in executive search. Known for her ability to anticipate societal shifts, she ensures that leadership recruitment evolves in step with the world around it. With deep expertise in C-suite and senior leadership roles, Marlène has seen recruitment strategies transform over the years – and has consistently been at the forefront of that change.

A passionate advocate for inclusiveness in leadership, she regularly speaks at conferences across France, championing greater diversity at the highest levels of business.