Plenary Speakers

Carole Desnost began her career in the automotive manufacturer PSA Group in 1986. She was successively materials and research engineer, project manager for recycling activities, deputy director for public affairs. In 1999 Director for market & Service and in 2003, deputy director for Asia Pacific, launching Peugeot activities in China.
In 2005, she became director for advanced technologies for the PSA Group, leading the Disruptive advanced technologies department, dedicated on Interior equipment (IHM), Electronics, Aerodynamics and Energy solutions for future vehicles.
In 2008, she joined RHODIA –SOLVAY as VP Innovation. She stimulated Research and Strategic Marketing teams with 150+ people around new growth territories and breakthrough technologies, contributed to company transformation in re-designing Innovation imperatives and launched Venture Capital activities.
In 2012, she joined PLASTIC OMNIUM as VP Research and Development. She drove R&D strategy through extended team of 1200+ resources focusing on growth and accelerating international development articulated around major objectives as projects management, process, design, quality and productivity. She shaped mid/long term Innovation strategy, defined Innovation key priorities, implemented new management structure and chaired new R&D reporting rhythm within COMEX, accelerated international expansion in launching new Design centers in China and India, doubling engineering footprint in Slovakia.
In 2015, she joined SNCF as Chief Innovation Officer. She is leading innovation at SNCF (team of 100 +) to promote the use of new technologies to improve competitiveness of railway system, developing in close cooperation with all keys actors of rail industry a new vision for the future of railway. She reinforces cooperative attitude in Research activities at European level, SNCF strongly supporting the major Research programs, Shift2Rail and Europe’s Rail. She supports the definition of a strategic vision on mobility, with implementation of disruptive technologies as Artificial intelligence, autonomous train, etc. She launched programs and implemented disruptive technologies and imagine new business models for mobility activities. She reinforces a worldwide academic partnership (MIT, IVADO…).
In 2021, she became Chief Technical Officer of the SNCF group still leading innovation and developing new activities and major programs.
EDUCATION AND TRAININGS:
MBA /HEC Executive - 2003
ESICA – Degree in Chemical Engineering with specialization in polymers - 1986 Master ‘s Degree in Chemistry from Paris XI -1985