Emmanuel Bochud

A graduate of the Québec University in Montréal (B.A. in facilitation and cultural research), Emmanuel Bochud began his career as a circus street performer and then worked for a variety of top-notch circus companies and festivals. This fed his other growing interest: circus as a tool for social action. He has since developed multiple projects drawing on circus arts to facilitate social change.

For over 20 years, Emmanuel has traveled the world as a trainer and senior advisor with Cirque du Monde, Cirque du Soleil’ssocial circus program. From the favelas of Brazil to the townships of South Africa, Mongolia, Russia, Australia and Europe, he has also worked with First Nations in Canada, supported the development of refugee projects in Europe, and set up intervention programs in New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and many other cities. He has held numerous roles within Cirque du Soleil, including Head of public affairs and social responsibility and Head of the Cirque du Monde training program. In that capacity he oversaw the strategic deployment of community action and training programs as well as the development of educational tools. 
He then became Senior Advisor in Organizational Development at Transat (A.T) in the airline industry, using his experience to create a leadership training program for high potential. 
He finally joined the Center for Circus Arts Research, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer (CRITAC) affiliated with the National Circus School of Montréal as Senior Advisor in Social Innovation and Training and recently became Director of Development and Innovation.