mhc_resume-cv_fr-en

marie-hélène cussac

- resume FR / EN

- highlights

- CV format Europass

marie-hélène cussac communication - affaires européennes

45 rue gustave biot 1050 bruxelles – belgique

+32 494 41 82 09 [email protected]

www.cussac.eu

en bref Née le 17 octobre 1978, Française, célibataire. Après une formation de professeur de langue et de musique, spécialisation sur les questions de pouvoir rhétorique des communautés subalternes dans le discours public. Développement progressif d’une passion pour la communication, tout particulièrement dans le contexte de l’Union européenne. A étudié et vécu aux Etats-Unis, en Belgique, France, Grande-Bretagne, Irlande et Irlande du Nord. A mené plusieurs missions à travers l’UE et développé un vaste réseau de contacts.

EXPERIENCES PROFESSIONNELLES depuis 2007 – Communication Manager à Generation Europe Foundation asbl, Bruxelles (B) depuis 2005 – Consultante en communication pour le European Union Youth Orchestra, Bruxelles (B) 2005 - 2007 – Project Manager au Development Office du Collège d’Europe, Bruges (B) 2005 - 2006 – Consultante pour le Comité économique et social européen & la Présidence autrichienne

de l’UE, Bruxelles (B) et Salzbourg (AT) 2004 - 2005 – Assistante de projets chez Palmer/Rae Associates, Bruxelles (B) 2003 – Communications Officer à EIPAL, European Institute for Public Affairs and Lobbying,

Bruxelles (B) 2002 - 2003 – Stage à l’Ambassade de France en Belgique sur les programmes-cadres de la Commission

européenne 2002 – Stage à la Commission européenne, DG Education et Culture, unité Programmes-cadres 2000 - 2001 – Professeur de français, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton (USA)

FORMATION 2003 - 2004 – Master en études européennes, Mention Très Bien au mémoire de recherche (politique de

sécurité dans le Caucase Sud), Collège d’Europe, Bruges (B) 2000 - 2001 – Cours de Master en théories rhétoriques et communication interculturelle, Florida Atlantic

University, Boca Raton (USA) 1996 - 2000 – Maîtrise d’anglais, Mention Très Bien, Université de Clermont-Ferrand (F) et University of

Durham (UK) 1994 - 2000 – Diplôme de Fin d’Etudes en Formation Musicale, piano, Conservatoire National de Musique

de Clermont-Ferrand (F)

ATOUTS Langues : anglais courant, allemand, néerlandais basique, italien et espagnol lus, russe débutant IT: Microsoft Office, In-Design et Adobe Acrobat, Joomla, Drupal et Wordpress Permis de conduire (français, américain et international) Esprit d’équipe (communication interculturelle au sein d’équipes multiculturelles, ancienne rameuse) Passion pour le design (graphisme, architecture, haute-couture) et la musique (direction, chant)

marie-hélène cussac c o m m u n i c a t i o n - e u a f f a i r s

45 rue gustave biot 1050 brussels – belgium

+32 494 41 82 09 [email protected]

www.cussac.eu

in brief Born 17 October 1978, French, single. Originally trained as a language and music teacher, focused on ways to achieve power in the public discourse in subaltern communities and developed a passion for communications within the context of the European Union project. Studied and worked in America, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Ireland and Northern Ireland. Ran missions across the EU and developed a wide professional network.

coming from

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES 2007 onwards – Communication Manager at Generation Europe Foundation asbl 2005 onwards – Communications consultant for the European Union Youth Orchestra 2005 - 2007 – Project Manager at the Development Office of the College of Europe 2005 - 2006 – Consultant for the European Economic and Social Committee & the Austrian EU Presidency 2004 - 2005 – Project assistant at Palmer/Rae Associates 2003 – Communications Officer at European Institute for Public Affairs and Lobbying 2000 - 2001 – French teacher at Florida Atlantic University

INTERNSHIPS 2002 - 2003 – Ambassade de France en Belgique, on European Commission framework programmes 2002 – European Commission, DG Education and Culture, Framework programmes unit

EDUCATION 2003 - 2004 – Master in European studies, First Class Honours to the dissertation, College of Europe,

Bruges (B) 2000 - 2001 – Graduate courses on rhetorical theory and intercultural communication, Florida Atlantic

University, Boca Raton (USA) 1996 - 2000 – Master of English literature and history, First Class Honours, University of Clermont-Ferrand

(F) and University of Durham (UK) 1994 - 2000 – Diplôme de Fin d’Etudes en Formation Musicale, Conservatoire National de Musique de

Clermont-Ferrand (F) (piano studies)

together with Languages : fluent English, good German, basic Dutch, reading Spanish and Italian, beginner in Russian IT skills : Microsoft Office, In-Design and Adobe Acrobat, Joomla, Drupal and Wordpress Driving licences (French, USA and international) A strong team spirit (intercultural communication in multicultural teams, former rower) A passion for design (graphic, architectural and fashion) and music (choral conductor, singer)

writing editing publishing


+32 494 41 82 09

[email protected] www.cussac.eu

Europa Diary Editor of the Europa Diary 2009-2010 / July 2008 to January 2009 / available at www.europadiary.eu - diary for the 15 – 18 year olds (mostly used by the A-level, Leaving Cert’, Abitur, Baccalauréat, etc. pupils) - distributed for free to schools ordering it / Print run of 3.3 million copies / 96 A5 pages of editorial content - daily communication with 14 DGs of the European Commission about 57 texts - management of the editorial team : writers, proofreaders, graphic designers, while writing and proofreading - creation of a style guide for the Europa Diary Within a framework contract between Generation Europe Foundation asbl and DG SANCO (European Commission)

Monthly newsletter: GE Vibes Creator of GE Vibes, monthly newsletter for the Generation Europe Online Community (6,000 members) in English Magazine launched in March 2008 / available at www.generation-europe.eu.com - choice of the graphic design / conception : sections + editorial policy / writing of 80% of the articles, in English

- launch in September 2008 of a page in another language than English in the EU Bubbles section.

Pick of the week Initiator of the section « Pick of the week » on the homepage of the Generation Europe website, launched in September 2008 / daily European press review / online posting of a selection of articles interesting to the 19-29 and calling for reflection, be it about European politics and policies, or on the spirit of enterprise

EUROPE DIRECT Newsletter Monthly / In charge of the 3 language editions: DE – EN – FR / January 2006 to November 2007 - conception : sections + editorial policy / advice to the Directorate General for Communication of the European

Commission / writing of 90% of the articles, in English - creator of the EUROSCOPE section in 2007 - in regular contact with members of the ED Network : about 450 Relays and 380 EDCs and Team Europe members Within a Service Contract between the Development Office of the College of Europe and DG COMM (European Commission) These newsletters are available at http://ec.europa.eu/europedirect/visit_us/newsletter/index_en.htm

Visions of Europe Project manager for the publication of the manuscript edited by Prof. Bronisław Geremek and Prof. Robert Picht / October 2005 to November 2007 - organisation across the EU of conferences and debates on various European topics for future books chapters - manager of the contractual relations with authors, translators and the publishing house Published in French by Editions Odile Jacob in September 2007 / English edition to be published

The Sound of Europe In charge of verbatim and conclusions of the opening conference of the Austrian EU Presidency / September 2005 – March 2006 / « The Sound of Europe », Salzburg, 27-28 January 2006 - recruitment and management of a minutes takers team - close cooperation with the Bundeskanzleramt in Vienna (the Federal Chancellery) and the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels Volume I: ISBN no. 92-830-0611-9 & Volume II: EECS Special Reviews, catalogue no.: EESC – C-2006-05-EN. www.eesc.europa.eu/documents/publications/pdf/pamphlets/EESC-C-2006-05-EN.pdf

events design & management h i g h l i g h t s


+32 494 41 82 09

[email protected] www.cussac.eu

Welcoming H.E. Eyyubov, guest of honour of DO10

One of the DO10 videos

Interview with Dan Bilefsky, EU correspondent in 2007 for the International Herald Tribune

ATE round table, Brussels 2008

IG France Kamingespräch with key politicians, Alpbach 2005

La place de l’Entreprise dans la mission d’Education Organised conference with Generation Europe Foundation asbl and Génération Europe France / Palais du Luxembourg, Paris, 9 November 2009 Design of the event format / design of conference material All documents and photos available at www.generation-europe.eu.com > events

DO10 Initiated a marketing/PR event celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Development Office (DO) of the College of Europe / Bibliothèque Solvay, Brussels, 3 May 2007 - design of the event / conception of the « DO10 » name / design of 3 video animations presenting the DO and its various activities worldwide / design of the « DO10 » present given to guests - management of invitations and of logistics (about 150 guests – management

of a 6-staff team) - media relations : press release, TV - excellent knowledge of conference rooms media events venues in Brussels All documents and photos available at http://www.coleurop.be/content/development/history-DO10.html

EU-Canada Young Journalism Award Project manager / From 2005- Editions 2006 and 2007 Design and management of a one-week programme allowing young Canadian journalists to discover and appreciate the European media scene, while introducing them to European politics and policies. - excellent knowledge of journalists circles specialised in EU affairs in Brussels - good knowledge of the media focusing on EU affairs: press – TV – radio –

newswires - won the call for tender for this project two years in a row (while staff at the College of Europe) Participant’s comment : « I think it’s really Marie-Hélène that played the mentor role since she was always with us, knew everyone and could give us briefings whenever necessary. »

Visions of Europe Project manager / October 2005 to November 2007 Organisation of conferences and debates in Brussels, Paris and Turin on multiculrural Europe, the question of European identity, social Europe, the reform of the EU Institutions, etc. - marketing and communication / logistics organisation - relation with the local press / press release in the local languages

European Union Youth Orchestra Organisation of the EUYO auditions in Belgium / Since 2005 / www.euyo.org.uk - communication with candidates, conservatories, host in Brussels & EUYO - logistics organisation

Alpbach Team Europe & Alpbach-IG France Non-for-profit organisations ad-hoc to the European Forum Alpbach / In charge of ATE (Brussels) since 2002 and Secretary General of IG France (Paris) since 2003 Organisation of various activities (conferences, round tables, debates) all year round allowing to the debating to continue beyond the two-week forum each August / Organisation of Kamingespräche in August in Alpbach (fireside talks) More info on the EFA available at www.alpbach.org

Personal information

Surname(s) / First name(s) CUSSAC Marie-Hélène

Address(es) 45 Rue Gustave Biot, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium

Telephone(s) Mobile: +32 494 41 82 09

E-mail(s) [email protected] or on www.cussac.eu

Nationality(-ies) French

Date of birth 17 October 1978

Gender Female

Work experience

Dates November 2007 onwards

Occupation or position held Communication Manager

Main activities and responsibilities � Editor of the Europa Diary 2009-2010, a diary for the 15-18 year olds, 3.3 M copies in EU 27; this involves daily communication with 14 EU Commission Directorate Generals for the content of 57 texts (total of 96 A5 pages of editorial content in the diary), management of the editorial team: writers, proofreaders, graphists, etc., while also writing, proofreading, and editing myself. As editor, I initiated a style guide for the future editions of this diary. � Creator and editor of GE Vibes, the monthly newsletter of the Generation Europe online community (6,000 members, 19-29 year olds) � Web editor of the Generation Europe website dedicated to the 19-29 year olds www.generation-europe.eu.com

o For this website, I launched a job & internship offers section as well as a Young Experts Database – a database of young professionals only which shall be open to recruiters once the project is completed. The Generation Europe YED is the first of its kind on the EU market.

o I also launched the ‘pick of the week’ section to highlight some interesting articles in the European press and encourage members of the GE online Community to read the foreign press and appreciate the various national opinions on certain EU topics. � Business development - Project management:

o I initiated projects for instance for the European Employment Week: launched a survey Europe wide (beyond EU 27), published a report, presented the report at EEW in the presence of GE Community members, and then organised a talk-show with EC Commissioner for Employment. This for instance led to the participation of Generation Europe to the Job Day EUROPE at the Commission in September 2008, where GE Community members joined for another talk-show with Commissioner Spidla and other employment policy experts. GE was active for the 2009 EEW and is currently preparing activities for EEW 2010.

o Develop strong links with the European Commission Stagiaires Committee, with other young people organisations e.g. the South American Business Forum, etc. � While at Generation Europe, I have worked at strengthening the presence of Generation Europe Foundation (the part dealing with the 19-29 year olds) amongst young people’s think-tanks. For instance, GEF was invited as reviewer of the Alcohol Advertising Monitoring Report produced by EASA (the European Advertising Standards Alliance) in December 2008 and again for October 2009.

Name and address of employer Generation Europe Foundation, 123 Chaussée Saint-Pierre, 1040 Brussels, Belgium

Type of business or sector Communication consultancy – foundation specialised in communication with young people

Dates October 2005 – November 2007

Occupation or position held Project Manager

Main activities and responsibilities � Organisation of conferences (academic or professional training) and large-scale events (EU-wide), good at Public Relations, ex of recent event I entirely designed: http://www.coleurop.be/content/development/history-DO10.html

� Conception and running of training courses in EU affairs (seminars, workshops, summer schools)

� Project management: Managing those conferences and courses (marketing, communication, financial planning, budget management, contractual relations, etc.) www.coleurope.eu/training

� Business development - Development of a strong network of contacts with key decision-makers for project development (e.g. in the Southern Caucasus)

� Editor and writer of the EUROPE DIRECT monthly newsletter for the ED Relays in EU 27 (Service Contract with DG COMM of the European Commission) http://ec.europa.eu/europedirect/visit_us/newsletter/index_en.htm

� Managed the ‘Visions of Europe’ project which led to the publication of the book by Prof. Picht and Prof. Geremek Visions d’Europe, Ed. Odile Jacob, Paris, 2007 – management of all contractual relations.

Name and address of employer College of Europe, Development Office, Dijver 11, 8000 Brugge, Belgium

Type of business or sector EU affairs academic institution / Service provider

Dates October 2005 – February 2006

Occupation or position held Team leader – writer

Part-time freelance consultant for the Conference: “The Sound of Europe”, Salzburg, 27-28 January 2006 (http://www.eu2006.at/en/)

Main activities and responsibilities � Manager of the team of minutes takers (team of 5 people) � Writer: In charge of the drafting of the verbatim of all conference proceedings (ISBN 92-830-

0611-9) + Conclusions of the conference in the EECS Special Reviews (catalogue number: EESC – C-2006-05-EN) http://www.eesc.europa.eu/documents/publications/pdf/pamphlets/EESC-C-2006-05-EN.pdf

Name and address of employer European Economic and Social Committee (with the Austrian Presidency of the EU), Rue Belliard, 1040 Brussels, Belgium

Type of business or sector European Institution

Dates November 2004 – June 2005

Occupation or position held Project Assistant

Main activities and responsibilities Project management: � Develop project proposals (research) � Coordination of a project � Report on funding schemes Office management: � Develop databases and archives for material � Website updating

Name and address of employer Palmer/Rae Associates, Robert Palmer, 74 Rue de la Croix de Pierre, 1060 Brussels, Belgium

Type of business or sector International cultural advising – Cultural consulting

Dates November 2005 onwards

Occupation or position held Communications Officer

Main activities and responsibilities EUYO Communication: � Dealing with all EUYO-related questions in Belgium � Responsible for the annual EUYO national auditions in Belgium:

o logistics of the venue (renting, managing availability of instruments e.g. percussions, communication with the people in charge of the audition venue, etc.)

o as well as communication with all musicians interested in auditioning for the EUYO, communication with applicants, organisation of the audition schedule, etc.

Name and address of employer European Union Youth Orchestra, 65 Sloane Street, SW1X 9SH London, UK

Type of business or sector Cultural sector

Dates October 2004 – January 2005

Occupation or position held Consultant (Brussels-based)

Main activities and responsibilities Survey: “The Status of the Private Sponsoring in the Arts” (over 80 companies consulted) � Questionnaire writing + analysis of collected data � Expertise of research and communication skills with the corporate and non-EU sectors

Name and address of employer European Union Youth Orchestra, 65 Sloane Street, SW1X 9SH London, UK

Type of business or sector Cultural sector

Dates May – July 2003

Occupation or position held Communications Officer

Main activities and responsibilities Restructure EIPAL communication strategy : � Website � Advertising � Press contacts � Communication with guests speakers (Public Affairs) and students about EU decision-making

processes + most effective lobbying strategies

Name and address of employer EIPAL—European Institute for Public Affairs and Lobbying—, Rue du Président 13, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Type of business or sector Public Affairs – Public Relations

Dates November 2002 – April 2003

Occupation or position held Junior consultant in cultural affairs

Main activities and responsibilities � Encourage the participation of French cultural institutes abroad to the framework programs of the European Commission (DG EAC)

� Created a « Culture 2000 » presentation for a workshop for the Foreign Service network days in Paris

� Surveys: Participation in European Commission programmes of the French cultural institutes in EU25 and the Brussels-based cultural institutes

� Establish network among DG Culture of the French Foreign Service and Commission officials (Lobby skills)

Name and address of employer Ministère des Affaires Etrangères, Ambassade de Belgique en Belgique, Service de Coopération et d’Action Culturelle, 42 boulevard du Régent, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgique

Type of business or sector Diplomacy – Interest Representation – Consulting

Dates March – July 2002

Occupation or position held Intern

Main activities and responsibilities � Research and editing of dossiers concerning cultural industries (music and book) – acquired knowledge of cultural networks/interest groups

� Study on mobility and free movement of people and products in the cultural sector: o Preparatory works o Translation

� Reporting (English/French): o Inter-institutional relations (cultural committee meetings) o International cultural networks conferences

� Web Communication: o Updating o Writing for the Newsletter (good knowledge of the “Culture 2000” projects management)

� As an elected member of the Stagiaires’ Committee, Vice-treasurer (overall budget of 75,000€), writing monthly for the European Stagiaires Journal.

Name and address of employer European Commission, DG Education and Culture, Policy and Framework Programmes Unit,

Belliard 100, 1040 Brussels, Belgium

Type of business or sector EU administration – Cultural sector

Dates August 2000 – May 2001

Occupation or position held French Teacher

Main activities and responsibilities � French teacher to 1st to 4th year students (Pedagogy courses provided + Communicative Approach Teaching methods)

� IT-Assistant for the Foreign Languages and Media Center of FAU

Name and address of employer Florida Atlantic University, College of Arts and Letters, Department of French, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33 431, USA

Type of business or sector Education

Dates January – May 2001

Occupation or position held Piano Accompanist

Main activities and responsibilities Accompanying and coaching of voice students for performance

Name and address of employer Florida Atlantic University, College of Arts and Letters, Department of Vocal Studies, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33 431, USA

Type of business or sector Education

Education and training

Dates September 2003 – June 2004

Title of qualification awarded Master of Arts in European Political and Administrative Studies (Mention Bien)

Principal subjects/Occupational skills covered

� General courses: EU Law and Decision-Making Process, EU Media, Interest Representation � Focus: European security – The transatlantic relationship

o MA Thesis (Mention Very Good): “From the Balkans to the Southern Caucasus: Sleepwalking Towards a Repetition of History? Time to prove an efficient Security Strategy” – Focus on the security challenges of the Southern Caucasus and European Neighbourhood Policy

Name and type of organisation providing education and training

College of Europe, Brugge – Postgraduate education

Dates September 2001 – October 2002

Title of qualification awarded 1st year of a PhD in Ethnomusicology (on hold for more academic hindsight) – Arts and Humanities Research Board Award offered


� Focus: Ethnic Identity Issues – Intercultural Communication – Culture and Politics � PhD claim: Music as Rhetoric: In subaltern communities, musical practices constitute a

rhetorical tool to achieve power in the public discourse


Queen’s University Belfast, Department of Anthropology – Postgraduate education

Dates August 2000 – May 2001

Title of qualification awarded 1st year of a Master of Arts in communication (1 year contract as a Graduate Teaching Assistant)


� Communication (Rhetoric – Intercultural Communication) � Musical studies (Choral conducting – Voice – History)


Florida Atlantic University, College of Arts and Letters, Departments of Communication and Music – Postgraduate education

Dates October 1996 – July 2000

Title of qualification awarded Maîtrise (MA) de Lettres, Langues et Civilisations: Anglais, Mention Très Bien

(1st Class Honours)


� English and American literature - history - linguistics - critical theory translation � Special course : Teaching of French as a Foreign Language � MA dissertation : Cajun culture and identity


Université Blaise Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand, France + University of Durham, Durham, England - Undergraduate and Graduate Education

Dates September 1994 – July 2000

Title of qualification awarded Diplôme de Fin d’Etudes en Formation Musicale


Piano studies, including solfège and choral singing


Conservatoire National de Musique de Clermont-Ferrand, France

Personal skills and competences

Mother tongue(s) French

Other language(s)

Self-assessment Understanding Speaking Writing

European level (*) Listening Reading Spoken interaction Spoken production

English fluent fluent fluent fluent fluent

German good good good good good

Dutch fair fair fair fair basic

Spanish fair fair basic basic -

Italian fair fair basic basic -

Russian basic basic basic basic basic

Social skills and competences � Very sociable person: this is probably the reason why I pay so much attention to social interaction, and thus the reason why I work in communication, leading teams (e.g. as editor or conductor) as much as a being a dedicated team member (e.g. as choral singer or rower). I think I have been successful as a team leader so far because I first consider myself as a member of the team, just like the others.

� Very good team spirit – enjoy leading teams (motivating the team, dealing with tensions, etc) � Easily adapting to multicultural environments and multicultural teams � Strong listening skills � Good communicator (especially in multicultural environments) � Strong but flexible coordinator – very good negotiator (win-win deals)

Organisational skills and competences

� I have an eye for details and I pay great attention to the form (the way it looks) as much as to the content of any piece of work.

� Very organised

� Team leading experiences:

o 2006: “Sound of Europe” conference, leading the team of minutes-takers during the conference and managing conference reports for the Austrian Presidency.

o 2003 onwards: « Alpbach Team Europe », Vice President, in charge of the Grant Scheme / writing for Alpbach News during the European Forum Alpbach

o 2002: « Generation Europe » elected French Delegate for the Youth Summit 2002 on CSR matters / Interview techniques training

o 2002: Spokesperson, Anthropology Department students to the Faculty of Humanities, Queen’s University Belfast Active in Students’ Union politics for more interrelations amongst local and international students

o 1999: Organisation and responsibility (alone) of a trip to Scotland for the students of the English Department of the Blaise Pascal University, Clermont-Ferrand, France

o Summer 1997, 98, 2001: Euro Languages College, Eire (Clongowes Wood College -

Ennis College): French teacher to young teenagers o 1995-96: BAFA—Brevet d’Aptitude à la Fonction d’Animateur—French qualification

certifying the ability to run activities for summer/winter camps, with a specialisation in ski teaching/snow activities for children

� “Esprit d’initiative” o 2004: Creation of a non-for-profit organisation, « Forum Alpbach France », Secretary

General o 2003: Set up of the College of Europe Vocal Ensemble, conductor in 2003-2004 o 1996: Creation of a non-profit organisation « Field Hollers », Gospel songs and Negro

spirituals ensemble, President in 1996-1997

Technical skills and competences � Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure � Good problem-solving skills

Computer skills and competences Microsoft Office – InDesign – Adobe Acrobat – Dreamweaver / Joomla / Drupal / Wordpress (website management) – Web CEO for File Transfer Protocols

Artistic skills and competences � Pianist – Clarinettist – Soprano � Music teaching (taught musical theory and the piano, coached vocal student for performance,

please see above) � Training for soloist singing (Brussels Royal Conservatory) and for the chorus of operas (May

2008 and Wallonia Opera in March 2009)

Other skills and competences � Fieldwork for cultural studies: by myself and on my own initiative: Haiti - the Dominican Republic (2001) and Thailand (2007)

� Rowing (1999-2000, 2001-2002)

Driving licence(s) French, American and international driving licences (cars).

mhc_resume-cv_fr-en

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