ACTIVITIES
Throughout the year, the MAC organizes a list of cultural, humanitarian, diplomatic, sporting, and business events. Our social calendar has been recognized for its outstanding activities, especially our flagship events such as the annual Goodwill Gala, the Summer Party, and the Christmas Gala.
Numerous complementary events are added to the program throughout the year, in partnership with certain Monegasque entities aligned with the mission and vision of the Monaco Ambassadors Club.
COMMUNITY & NETWORK
The MAC offers its members an exceptional opportunity to connect and engage in dialogue with influential individuals in both the private and professional sphere. With a diversity that spans a wide range of interests, cultures, nationalities, and professional sectors — including artists, scientists, athletes, entrepreneurs, politicians, and diplomats — our club reflects the dynamism and generosity that have characterized Monaco's reputation for many years.
GOODWILL GALA & AMBASSADORS
Since the club’s inception, 14 individuals have been inaugurated as the honorary Goodwill Ambassadors of the MAC. Our Goodwill Ambassadors have shown outstanding merit in their fields, including diplomacy, politics, governmental positions, business, culture, sports, science and media. Umberto Tozzi is our current Goodwill Ambassador, and was awarded the role in recognition of his legendary 50-year career in international music, his deep personal ties to Monaco, and his contributions to the community through charity and solidarity efforts.
Below is a list of the club’s Goodwill Ambassadors.
2024
Umberto Tozzi
Umberto Tozzi is a legendary figure in both Italian and international music, with a career spanning over 50 years. He has sold more than 80 million albums and performed over 2,000 concerts worldwide. His timeless hits, including "Ti Amo" and "Gloria," have become cultural touchstones. "Gloria" became a global sensation when it was covered by Laura Branigan, notably making waves in the United States and beyond. "Ti Amo" recently gained renewed popularity when it was featured in the hit series Money Heist (La Casa de Papel).
Tozzi's music has topped international charts and been featured in iconic films such as The Wolf of Wall Street by Martin Scorsese and Flashdance. In 2024, he embarked on his farewell tour, L'ULTIMA NOTTE ROSA: THE FINAL TOUR, which spans four continents and features an orchestra of 21 musicians. This tour offers a final opportunity for fans around the world to experience the magic of his live performances.
Beyond his musical achievements, Umberto has strong personal ties to Monaco, where he has lived since 1992. His children completed their education in Monaco, and his grandchildren were born there. His connection to the Principality is deep, as he even performed at the wedding of HSH Prince Albert II in 2011. In recent years, Tozzi has continued to strengthen these bonds, participating in local concerts with the Prince’s Carabiniers and organizing a streaming concert during the pandemic to raise funds for technicians and artists affected by the crisis.
Umberto Tozzi is not only a music icon but also a man deeply connected to Monaco’s values of solidarity and community.
2023
Francien Giraudi
Francien Giraudi has been living in Monaco since 1975 alongside her husband and two children. A homemaker, she quickly integrated into the Monegasque life. Even though she faced a language barrier, in 1980, she became the Vice President of the "Les Voisins" Association, which supports foreigners residing in Monaco, a position she held for 10 consecutive years.
Driven by a strong desire to help vulnerable children, she founded her own organization, "Les enfants de Frankie," on November 21, 1997, inspired by her personal story and with valuable guidance from Prince Rainier III of Monaco. For the past 25 years, she has been tirelessly leading this organization. The numbers speak for themselves: whether it's children suffering from serious illnesses, facing disabilities, in deep distress, orphaned, or living in poverty, more than 75,000 families and nearly 150,000 children have benefited from her assistance.
She invests herself so deeply in humanitarian work that she has become a leader and advocate, always striving to be as close as possible to the children she supports. In 2002, she was invited to the United Nations General Assembly in New York for a session dedicated to children, accompanied by His Serene Highness the Crown Prince, to defend children's rights. In 2008, she received recognition from the United Nations, granting her consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Prince Rainier III of Monaco awarded her the Knight of the Order of Grimaldi medal, and she also received the National Order of Merit from France for her outstanding service to the nation. In 2018, she established "The Frankie Foundation for Children" to aid children in England and Wales.
But the day that holds the dearest place in her heart every year since 1997 is "Frankie's Christmas." It is an annual, unmissable event that graciously invites thousands of disadvantaged children to Monaco for a warm day of celebration and sharing.
2022
John Christodoulou
Greek Cypriot property entrepreneur John Christodoulou, relocated in 1974 with his family to London, where he trained at the age of 17 as a diamond mounter. He then created a successful jewellery business, manufacturing, retailing and designing his own brand. Following the purchase of small properties, the jewellery business was sold to focus solely on real estate. The Yianis Group was subsequently founded and the company successfully developed over 10 million square feet of real estate, of which the majority is still currently held as long-term investments in the portfolio. Since then, the group has also acquired investments in Europe, including a number of hotels, commercial estates and Residential towels. Over the last 25 years Mr. Christodoulou has donated to many charities and causes. With the goal of maximising the impact and quality of his support, Mr. Christodoulou set up the Yianis Christodoulou Foundation, which focuses on helping vulnerable children and young people.
2021
Geoffrey Kent
Geoffrey Kent is the co-chairman and CEO of Abercrombie & Kent, an international luxury travel company that he co-founded with his parents over 55 years ago in East Africa.
Today, the company organises trips in over 100 countries on all seven continents, utilising local guides to give guests an intimate understanding of the culture, history and wildlife of their chosen destination.
He also created Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy, a non-profit organisation dedicated to benefiting the lives and livelihoods of the communities where clients travel to, through education, health access, conservation and enterprise development projects.
2019
Riccardo Giraudi
The exceptional career of Mr. Riccardo Giraudi rewarded on June 4, 2019 by H.E.M Serge Telle, Minister of State in the Belle Epoque room of the Hermitage hotel. A meteoric career that began in 2001, Riccardo Giraudi joined the family business created by his father, Erminio Giraudi in the 1970s: Giraudi Group, European leaders in the import / export of meat. Riccardo Giraudi very quickly imposed his style and oriented the company towards new sectors of activity such as catering & high-end meats.
2018
Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio
An acclaimed leader of the international cruise industry, he is the Executive Chairman of multi-award winning global cruise line, Silversea, which is headquartered in the Principality. He can be credited with growing the company’s fleet from three ships to nine – and soon to be 11 – since taking the helm in 2001.
2017
Vladimir Semenikhin
Like a festive atmosphere at the Yacht Club! An evening signed by the Monaco Ambassadors Club in honour of Mr Vladimir Semenikhin, rewarded by H.S.H. Prince Albert II for his numerous and exceptional humanitarian and cultural actions in favour of the Principality of Monaco, throughout the world.
2016
Professeur Nadir Saoudi
Professor Nadir Saoudi, head of the cardiology unit at the Centre Hospitalier Princess Grace since 2001. Professor of cardiology, this specialist of the pathologies of heart rhythm is a member of the National Academy of Medicine, the prestigious French institution composed of physicians recognized as having the potential to lead in their field. He was the first in France (from the CHPG of Monaco) to use magnetic navigation, an intracardiac guidance system of catheter allowing a probe to be inserted into some heart locations previously inaccessible.
2015
David Coulthard MBE
David Coulthard began his career in 1989 at the British Formula Ford Championship. Remarkable racing driver in stables like Williams or McLaren, he was rewarded 13 times by competing in the Formula 1 world championship from 1994 to 2008. Today, settled in Monaco since 2000 with his family, the Principality is for him the memory of having accompanied his father himself pilot at his time on the circuit of the Grand Prix of Monaco.
2014
Sir Michael Smurfit KBE
The Honorary Irish Consul in Monaco, Sir Michael Smurfit KBE is a leading figure and plays an active role in the Monegasque social scene. An erudite businessman he has many interests, and even more so when he is asked to throw himself into a philanthropic project, Sir Michael Smurfit KBE is a man of deep convictions with a desire to act. This entrepreneur can be proud of his career after 54 years at the head of the Jefferson Smurfit Group, a company founded by his father in 1934 which became the world’s largest packaging group operating in 33 countries on five continents. The Monaco Ambassadors Club was delighted when Sir Michael Smurfit KBE was made a Goodwill Ambassador, an appointment announced by H.S.H. Prince Albert II at a Gala evening on 18th June 2014.
2013
Louisette Azzoaglio Lévy Soussan
Mrs Louisette Azzoaglio Lévy-Soussan has dedicated her life and skills to serving the Principality of Monaco for 55 years. As a private secretary to Princess Grace of Monaco for a long period of time, she believes it has been a privilege to be involved in a major part of the development of the Principality.
2012
Sir Roger Moore KBE
Sir Roger Moore KBE is, of course, known as a very famous movie star, whose roles such as James Bond, Simon Templar, and Lord Brett Sinclair will remain at the forefront of our memory. He was also an outstanding resident of the Principality of Monaco, who contributed to the Principality’s influence with his continuous commitment to UNICEF and many other charities.
2011
Stelios Haji Ioannou
On Tuesday, May 3rd, the Monaco Ambassadors Club hosted its spring dinner at the Salle Belle Epoque at the Hotel Hermitage, with Stelios addressing the distinguished audience. Focusing on his philanthropic initiatives, Stelios talked about the 3 E’s and the importance of philanthropy in defining the positive image of the Principality. Guests included S.E. Mr. Henri Fissore, Ambassador on a mission near the Minister of State; S.E. Mr. José Badia, Minister of Foreign Affairs; S.E. Mr. Van Klaveren, the Ambassador of Monaco to Spain; and S.E. Mr. Peter Murphy, Ambassador of the Order of Malta. The Monaco Ambassadors Club, under the presidency of Alexander Moghadam, is renowned for its elegant, 'themed' events bringing together influential residents of the Principality and is dedicated to supporting Monaco’s efforts to highlight its economic attractiveness.
2010
Yves Piaget
Once again, the Monaco Ambassadors Club had brought together the Principality’s high society for a cocktail held at the Hotel Hermitage, in order to reward Mr Yves Piaget with the Monaco Goodwill Ambassador Award. The Sovereign Prince had lengthily delivered Mr Piaget’s many merits, who is one of the innovators of the watch making industry. H.S.H. evoked his genius, technological as well as creative.