Good is Beautiful: Bernard Mariette at TEDxYouth@Montreal

Bernard Mariette is the President and CEO of Coalision. Founded in 1989, Coalision controls the clothing brands Orage, Lolë, Paradox -- and most recently announced a merger with French underwear company Pull-in. Bernard was formerly the President of Quiksilver, a large manufacturer of boardsport-related equipment. Bernard Mariette has also worked with major British retailer Marks & Spencer, L'Oreal, as well as Timberland.

Educated at Montpellier University in France, he also holds an MBA from the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom. In 2007, Christine Lagarde presented him with the Medal of Merit.

During his time as President at Quiksilver, Bernard was credited with the company's growth and success. The company's operations in Europe rose from $40 million to $700 million over a period of 10 years. Under his leadership, the company would purchase DC Shoes, Cleveland Golf, and Skis Rossignol. Between the years 2001 and 2008 sales went from $600 million to $2.4 billion. Notwithstanding to the expansion of Coalision through the Pull-in merger, the Lolë brand has doubled in sales worldwide in the past two years alone.

Bernard's management style combines vision with leadership and he firmly believes in doing business while doing good for the community. In 2011, Bernard created the YELLOW LABEL Program -- pre-loved winter coats that were in good condition and less than five years old were donated to Lolë from the community. Lolë repaired, cleaned and sold the coats for only $20 and anyone who donated a coat also received a discount on a new Lolë coat. The goal of the initiative was to avoid unnecessary purchases and waste by recycling apparel to new owners. 100% of the proceeds from the YELLOW LABEL Program have been donated to Moisson Montréal in Quebec and the Daily Bread Food Bank.

[jonON]

Why he doesn't speak French?! he's in Montreal and he's french!!