Marie Mullet-Abrassard, new president of the Caritas foundation
A former figure of scouting
Marie Mullet-Abrassard is already familiar with this ecosystem, having joined the Caritas board of directors in December 2022. But the Catholic has long been known as a personality in the scout movement. “I joined the Scouts and Guides of France at the age of seven, in my native region, in Savoie,” confides this lover of the mountains and hiking. Then, I became a leader and educational support worker for adolescents, first in the region, then at the national level. I really like the social bond that the movement helps create.”
To crown this momentum, the Scouts and Guides of France unanimously elected Marie Mullet-Abrassard president of the association in June 2017. Coming to the end of her term in May 2022, the 40-year-old mother was hesitant to put the brakes on her volunteer commitment. “Members of Secours Catholique approached me to suggest that I join Caritas,” she explains. “I realized that I couldn’t hang up! I always wonder how I can be an actor in civil society, and I like the way my life as a volunteer nourishes my professional and personal life.”
Caritas invests in the ecological transition
For Caritas, which Marie Mullet-Abrassard has just taken over, it will soon be time to take stock. The foundation will celebrate its 15th anniversary in October 2024 and is one of the largest philanthropic organizations in France. “It’s a recipe that works, so we’re not going to enter into a new disruptive strategy,” maintains its new president. “We must continue our efforts on ecological transition projects.” The “Transition Actors” program has, so far, invested 2.8 million euros over three years to support 17 organizations.
“These projects have both an ecological and social impact,” continues Marie Mullet-Abrassard. “The philosophy of Caritas is to consider that social justice and the fight against climate change are linked.” The new president of Caritas shares the philosophy of the encyclical Praise be to you, and confides that its author, Pope Francis, is a “great source of inspiration in (his) commitment.”
