Patrice Schneider

Patrice Schneider started his publishing career as a journalist reporting from conflicts in Central Asia in the 1980s.

Following a 20 years career in publishing (Time Warner Group, Lagardère Active) and working for the World Economic Forum, he now works for the Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) which invests in independent media around the world providing the news, information and debate that people need to build free, thriving societies.

Since 1996, MDIF - a seven consecutive years' winner of the ImpactAssets 50 awards - has invested more than $170m in 113 independent news businesses in39 countries and has returned US$ 46.9m to investors. For Patrice, the impact investment in quality information is the cornerstone of any open and dynamic democracy.

He is also a Board member of EVPA.