Kévin Germanier, a Swiss fashion designer celebrated for his sustainable approach, has transitioned from a Central Saint Martins student to a Louis Vuitton junior designer, and now to CEO of his own brand, Germanier. Since launching his label in collaboration with MatchesFashion two years ago, Germanier has created a futuristic utopia through his collections, which have been worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Kristen Stewart, Björk and Sunmi. In 2020, he was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in Europe – Arts and Culture and was a semi-finalist for the LVMH Prize in 2019, as well as a participant in the ANDAM Prize in 2018. In 2024, he showcased his work at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, China, discussing the future of eco-friendly fashion and the potential of using waste materials and defective fabrics. Germanier is a globally respected designer, championing circular fashion and ethical practices. With upcycling at the core of his brand, he provides a vision for the future of fashion that emphasizes sustainability and innovation.Meet the Cultural Leaders 2025 Sougwen 愫君 Chung is a Chinese-Canadian artist and researcher, widely considered a pioneer in human-machine collaboration, who explores the mark-made-by-hand and the mark-made-by-machine as an approach to understanding the dynamics of humans and systems. Her work MEMORY is part of the permanent collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum and is the first AI model to be collected by a major institution. Recently, Sougwen Chung was recognized as one of four recipients of the TIME100 Impact award and named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI. She has exhibited internationally at the Espoo Museum of Modern Art, Espoo; Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver; Art Basel, Miami; National Art Center, Tokyo; NTT InterCommunication Center [ICC], Tokyo, Japan; ArtScience Museum, Singapore; MIT Media Lab, Cambridge; The Drawing Center, New York; The New Museum, New York; Museum of Contemporary Art, Geneva; Mana Contemporary, New York, Tribeca Film Festival, New York; The Hospital Club, London; Mutek Festival, Montreal & Mexico City; Sonar Festival, Barcelona. Cristina Mittermeier is a visionary photographer, marine biologist and conservationist, recognized as one of the most influential conservation photographers of our time. Her work lies at the intersection of art, science and environmental advocacy, driven by a mission to protect and rewild the ocean for the benefit of biodiversity, humanity and climate. Mittermeier’s photography has been featured in numerous prestigious publications, including National Geographic, TIME and McLean’s. In 2018, she was honoured as one of National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year. In 2021 she appeared in the Disney+ Welcome to Earth. Melanie Brown MBE, aka Mel B, is a globally renowned entertainer, best known as Scary Spice of the Spice Girls. As part of the world’s most successful girl band, she helped define the 1990s pop scene, selling 85 million records and creating the Girl Power movement. After the band’s split, she forged a successful career as a TV host, a judge on shows like America’s Got Talent and The X Factor. She has also performed on Broadway in the hit musicals Chicago and Rent. Beyond entertainment, Brown became a fierce advocate for survivors of abuse after publishing her best-selling memoir, Brutally Honest. In 2018, she was named Patron of Women’s Aid and has since spoken out globally on issues of emotional abuse, becoming a powerful voice for vulnerable women. She was awarded an MBE by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 for her services to women’s rights. Her story of resilience – from pop stardom to overcoming personal trauma – continues to inspire millions. Harvey Mason Jr is CEO of the Recording Academy as well as a songwriter, music and movie producer and founder of Harvey Mason Media. Under his leadership, the Recording Academy has undergone significant transformations, including diversifying its membership, making the Grammy Awards more transparent and inclusive and expanding its role as a service organization for music creators. Mason has also played a key role in restructuring the organization for global growth. As CEO, he collaborates closely with the academy’s Board of Trustees and senior management team, as well as serving as CEO of MusiCares and being involved with various music-related boards and foundations. During his tenure, Mason achieved notable milestones, such as establishing the Songwriters & Composers Wing and the Black Music Collective, hiring the Recording Academy’s first chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer, advocating for creator’s rights in Washington DC, and overseeing MusiCares COVID-19 Relief’s distribution of over $30 million to music creators. In his creative endeavours, Mason has written and produced songs for industry legends and today’s biggest superstars. Everyone from Whitney Houston to Beyoncé, Elton John to Justin Timberlake, Aretha Franklin to Ariana Grande, Britney Spears to Mariah Carey, Luther Vandross to Justin Bieber, and Michael Jackson to Chris Brown have called on Mason to deliver musical hit records. Simultaneously, he has been instrumental in producing memorable music for many of the biggest musical films and TV events from the past decade. His work in films includes Bob Marley: One Love, Dreamgirls, the Pitch Perfect franchise, Respect, Shrek, SING, SING 2, Sparkle, and Straight Outta Compton. TV shows including The Wiz Live! and Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert also counted on his musical talent and taste. Mason is also recognized for his philanthropic efforts, having received the Spirit of Excellence Award from the T.J. Martell Foundation and being involved with the Ronald McDonald House, the American Cancer Society and Los Angeles Children’s Hospital.Yana Peel is a visionary entrepreneur, cultural leader and advocate for innovation in the arts. As Co-founder and CEO of the groundbreaking platform Outset Contemporary Art Fund, she has redefined how art and philanthropy intersect, enabling creative projects that push boundaries and spark dialogue across cultures. With a deep commitment to social change, Peel has championed initiatives that empower artists and communities globally. Her work focuses on leveraging the transformative power of art to address pressing social issues, from climate change to human rights, making her a leading voice in the movement for cultural equity. Peel’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through her diverse ventures, including her role as a partner at the acclaimed tech company Artory, which uses blockchain technology to promote transparency and authenticity in the art market. She is also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion within the arts, believing that creativity thrives in environments that celebrate varied perspectives. Through her dynamic leadership and unwavering dedication, Peel continues to inspire a new generation of artists and innovators, proving that art can be a catalyst for meaningful change. Her vision fosters a future where creativity knows no bounds and is accessible to all. Meet the Cultural Leaders 2025 Arts and Culture Programme Arts and Culture Programme Annual Meeting 2025 Annual Meeting 2025 30 31

Arts and Culture Programme AM25