Jean-Baptiste de Chatillon, from financial executive to director of the foundation

His portrait was more widespread in the economic press than in the general press. Jean-Baptiste de Chatillon was in fact better known as a former senior executive of various European branches of PSA Peugeot Citroën, then as administrative and financial director at Sanofi. A well-oiled executive life that was turned upside down when the professional received, a few months ago, a mysterious email at the airport exit. He had received an invitation from Jean-Marc Sauvé, president of Apprentis d’Auteuil, and the nomination committee to become a candidate for the position of general director of the foundation. The announcement was a shock for Jean-Baptiste de Chatillon, who had been familiar with corporate culture since his beginnings in 1989.The proposal was significantly removed from my professional life. “, he says.

But not his personal convictions. For a dozen years, the 59-year-old former financial executive has been volunteering with young people, whether through workshops for children and adolescents in community centers, or welcoming young migrants into his home via the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) association. He admits to always having wanted to work with young people. His dream of yesteryear? To become the director of a technical high school in order to combine two of his passions: helping children and manual activities. He laughs, thinking back to his baccalaureate obtained in general high school.I was in carpentryhe explains. I had done something really ugly, but I was very proud of it. “

A committed life

When the opportunity finally presents itself, Jean-Baptiste de Chatillon is overwhelmed by doubt.Unfortunately, this commitment only took up a very small part of my time.he explains. So when I got that call, it shook me up. I questioned my ability to do this job. ” Worries quickly swept aside by the wise advice of his wife, Pauline, who pushed him to make a decision in line with his life path.

The former executive admits that his choice was also motivated by his faith. It was during a pilgrimage to Czestochowa, Poland, in 1983, that the couple experienced a real transformation.This encounter with Christ was fundamental and gave me back a lost joy of living. “, he confides. Both have since been involved in their Catholic parish, with young people but also with couples, whether in preparing weddings, the Equipes Notre-Dame… A dynamic that he intends to continue step by step within the foundation.”By continuing to develop the educational project and following the pastoral orientation of the Apprentis d’Auteuil “Choose to love ” .” he adds.

Young people, a priority

“I have always been struck by the help that one could give to a young person by simply looking at them with kindness, he says. When you experience someone who values ​​and trusts you, it’s a game changer. “With a discreet smile, the father recalls his childhood and his difficult beginnings in adolescence. Rebellion, loss of confidence, school problems and feeling of devaluation overwhelm him and leave a lasting mark on him. When his eldest daughter was born in 1990, Jean-Baptiste de Chatillon promised himself to help her on this difficult path.

To do this, he draws inspiration from the school model that his children experienced in England.Instead of berating students every time they make a mistake – which has been my experience – we congratulate them and offer them personalized exercises that they are capable of completing. “An ideal that the former financial executive wishes to perpetuate within Apprentis d’Auteuil thanks, in particular, to the success weeks which reward each year the efforts of young people and support teams relating to academic progress, civic actions or new skills acquired. In total, nearly 40,000 young people and 9,000 families are supported by the Catholic foundation.