OUR STORY
Stand Up For Passion was conceived and founded by Arnaud Collery in 2014 in a small New York City co-working space. Originating as a live event series, it has spread far beyond New York, to become a global laboratory for inspirational storytelling, mindful leadership and community-building. Our signature event features 7 leaders who take the stage for 7 memorable minutes to share their life's passions and their unique stories. Programs are followed by a Q&A and networking event, where speakers and attendees connect.
SUFP brings stories of entrepreneurship, spontaneous acts of kindness; tales of survival, changes in perspective, destiny, bravery, cowardice, and kismet; stories of loves (and loved ones) lost and found, of starting fresh, all around the central theme of identifying and then following a life's passion. Told by business people, authors, housewives, performance artists, competitive ambulance drivers and refugees, all kinds of people from all walks of life.
Arnaud Collery not only curates the series, but personally coaches each speaker to draw out the key elements in their story. He works intensively with each speaker to bring out the very best results, allowing them to be their best selves. It is this unique coaching process that sets the SUFP experience apart, resulting in incredibly impactful and engaging content which is different from anything else. It is this mixture of passion and authenticity that has led schools in multiple countries to integrate SUFP videos into their leadership training programs.
Our speakers have included Reshma Saujani from Girls Who Code, Premier NY Venture Capitalist Nihal Meta, World Adventurer Luc Hardy, Fintech genius Oliver Nguyen, Nepalese Actress Nisha Adhikari, Japan's famous sumo wrestler, Taro Akebono, and many more.
Let your authenticity shine
“Arnaud has a unique ability to support and encourage people to synthesize and communicate their stories. His talent for utilizing humor, honesty and passion to pull out of people their true voices so the world can hear is truly astounding. My 7 minute speech he helped me construct was much more powerful and engaging because of Arnaud. Anyone who wants their authenticity to shine and engage others in their work, must work with Arnaud.”
— Anne Koller, Corporate Wellness Trainer // Developing holistic cultures and leadership
The series has been mentioned in The Huffington Post, French BFM Business and more than 100 newspapers, often cited as an alternative to TED talks.
Sponsors have included Axa Insurance, NY's French Consulate, Danone, L’Oréal, BMW Tokyo, The Nepal center for Innovation, The Morocco Hyatt Regency, Nestle, Soho House Toronto, and many more, and SUFP's live events have gained a reputation for delivering electrifying and inspirational content in a unique way.
So far, more than 10,000 people have attended SUFP live events, and our goal is to bring our unique mix of inspiration and expression to 100,000+ people in 100+ countries in the next 10 years.