From Cape Town to Abu Dhabi; from Dublin to Lyon, our Executive Board directors are located in all corners of the globe. Each brings an outstanding background in their respective fields, combined with solid experiences from working at various esteemed organizations. We are proud to present them to you and are excited about the incredible projects, events, content, and opportunities they are preparing for all our members.
- Manon Laval-Quéguiner – Secretary General
- Soligah Solomons – Editorial Director
- Joona Mäkinen – Institutional and Public Relations Director
- Hippolyte Peres – Digital Communication Director
- Ella Burkett – Talent Acquisition Director
- Victor Navaridas – Partnership and Sponsorship Director
- Cian O’Gorman – Events Director
Leadership and Vision: Manon Laval-Quéguiner, Secretary General
The Secretary General oversees the variety of projects undertaken by the six departments that constitute the Executive Board. This role includes ensuring efficient and smooth communication and teamwork across the departments, as well as bringing new ideas and perspectives to the table.
Manon Laval-Quéguiner was recently unanimously elected as the new Secretary General. She graduated in English Literature from the prestigious Sorbonne University in Paris. We are confident that Manon will infuse THE SONAR INSTITUTE with a new dynamic and fresh ideas, propelling our organization forward in exciting and innovative ways.
The position of Deputy Secretary General will soon be open for applications. If you are interested in learning more about this role, please feel free to contact Manon directly.
We look forward to the continued growth and success of THE SONAR INSTITUTE under the capable leadership of our diverse and talented Executive Board.
Brief Biographies
Victor Navaridas
Victor Navaridas, a French-Brazilian national, holds an International BBA (and in pursuit of a Master’s) in Corporate & Investment Banking from EDHEC Business School, France. He worked as a Debt Advisory Analyst at Crédit Agricole CIB in Paris, and as a Risk Management Analyst at Edmond de Rothschild in Luxembourg. Victor also has experience as an M&A Analyst at Korian and a Sales Associate at Versace in Monaco. Fluent in French, Spanish, and English, he has a strong background in financial markets and international finance.
Cian O’Gorman
Cian O’Gorman, from Ireland, is pursuing a BA in Computer Science at Trinity College Dublin. He interned at Deloitte as a Cloud & Engineering specialist and has previous experience at Carrolls Irish Gifts and as a freelance computer science tutor. Cian is fluent in English and Irish, and he has traveled extensively across Europe. His work at Deloitte involved maintaining web and backend solutions, showcasing his expertise in cloud computing and software engineering.
Ella Burkett
Ella Burkett, with a Turkish mother and American father, grew up in the UAE and studied PPES at Trinity College Dublin. Fluent in English, Turkish, and French, she has worked at CNN in Abu Dhabi, Bodytree Studio in the UAE, and the JUMP! Foundation in Thailand. Her international upbringing and diverse professional experiences emphasize her strong communication skills and global perspective, particularly in diplomacy and multiculturalism.
Hippolyte Peres
Hippolyte Peres, from Tourcoing, France, is the founder of “Mon Cahier de Danse” publishing company based in Lille. He worked as a journalist for Master Danse in Paris and interned at Groupe TF1. His international experience includes a Franco-German exchange in Germany. Fluent in French, with B1-level German and B2-level English, he is an aspiring journalist and former student of the Opéra de Paris dance school.
Soligah Solomons
Soligah Solomons, a South African, has been an Editorial and Content Intern at Health-e News and held the prestigious position of Editor-in-Chief of Varsity Newspaper at the University of Cape Town. Fluent in English and Afrikaans, she has traveled across Africa. Her roles as a tutor at UCT and logistics coordinator for The Pitch UCT highlight her leadership and educational dedication.
Joona Mäkinen
Joona, from Finland, holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Trinity College Dublin. He has worked at Accenture and freelanced as a transcriptionist and language teacher. Fluent in Finnish and English, with intermediate German proficiency, Joona has experience in Ireland, Austria, and Finland, demonstrating his global outlook in legal and business contexts.
Manon Laval-Quéguiner
Manon, a French national, holds a Master 2 in English Language and Literature from Université Paris-Sorbonne. She has international experience as an independent writer and through a Franco-German exchange. Fluent in French and English, Manon has worked as an investigator for BVA and a freelance writer for Textbroker International, showcasing her strong linguistic skills and adaptability.
