Meet the Team
Tamiko Zablith
Tamiko Brown-Zablith
Founder and Managing Director/CEO
Tamiko is our Founder, Managing Director/CEO and Principal Consultant. From working with the former American President's Office of Special Events in Los Angeles, to volunteering for the Historic Royal Palaces in the United Kingdom, Tamiko is also multilaterally qualified as a Certified International Social Etiquette, Business Etiquette, Youth Etiquette and Diplomatic Protocol Consultant. She holds a Certificate in Intercultural Communication for Global Business from University of Cambridge, a MA in Protocol, Diplomacy and Cross-Cultural Relations (honours) and has unparalleled professional experience in the global arena, having worked extensively in more than 25 countries across Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Presentation as a Debutante in Beverly Hills, California was her first etiquette endeavour, leading to the passion that underlies the success of Minding Manners International. Her further pursuit of etiquette, finishing and protocol trainings around the world bring more than a quarter of a century’s worth of international etiquette experience to her delegates. With such global credentials, including the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, The Protocol School of Washington, the exclusive Swiss Finishing School Institut Villa Pierrefeu and the Academie de Nadine de Rothschild, you can be assured of the most international, credible and extensive etiquette training available.
Having lived in Paris for ten years, Tamiko became recognised in France as Madame Bonnes Manières and the national reference for contemporary international etiquette. In England, her etiquette programmes earned a place on British Vogue’s Vogue List. At Buckingham Palace she was recognised by CNN as the International Etiquette Expert for the Royal Wedding and was selected to volunteer at Kensington Palace for the exciting exhibition Victoria Revealed. Tamiko presents programmes for members of various Royal Families, as well as for a variety of members of international organisations, including the United Nations, NATO, the European Commission and many others. Additionally, she is featured in numerous global publications throughout Europe and North America and has contributed to a variety of reputable television and radio programmes.
Stéphane
Mery
Non-Executive Chairman
Stéphane is a highly experienced Chairman and Board Director with an extensive executive career in financial services and a non-executive portfolio spanning diverse sectors including biotechnology & medtech, international education and equestrian eventing.
With a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and a MBA from the French Grande École INSEAD, Stéphane’s experience, discipline and business acumen bring a multitude of high-level interdisciplinary skills to the management and financial teams of Minding Manners International.
An expert in global business set-up and development, as well as investment and venture capital, Stéphane’s strategic guidance and international commercial wisdom provide our strategic partners, Train-The-Trainer/Certification delegates and Mentored Associates with an invaluable advantage in setting up and growing their business, allowing them to competitively enter their market with immediacy, focus and a compelling strategic game-plan.
Magdalena Nowaczek
Protocol Communications Manager
Magdalena is our Protocol Communications Manager and an International Business Etiquette and Diplomatic Protocol Consultant. She holds credentials from the European Academy of Diplomacy and the United Nations Institute of Training and Research, as well as dual Master’s Degrees in International Relations and Interdisciplinary American Studies.
Magdalena's expertise includes execution of professional training projects in the area of diplomatic protocol and business etiquette for more than 300 officials, including members of the Polish Presidential Corps for the Council of the European Union.
Magdalena's passion derives from long-term involvement in hands-on aspects of protocol whilst organising and participating in a vast array of international and national events on foreign affairs, diplomacy, leadership and democracy.
Caroline
MacDonald-Haig
Culture Specialist and Society Historian
Caroline is our Society and Culture Specialist. Born into a family with a long history of esteemed University of Cambridge scholars, she is a distinguished British Blue Badge Guide and volunteer at Westminster Abbey. She weaves her background in the history of fine art, architecture, design and decorative arts with her international exposure during Finishing School in Paris. Caroline holds diplomas in the History of Fine and Decorative Art…every object and artefact has its story and, as our delegates unanimously agree, no one tells a better story than Caroline.
Our etiquette programmes are complimented by savoir-vivre sessions, including short courses covering the Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo and Impressionism, for which Caroline enhances the course content with exclusive visits to the National Gallery, British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum and Tate Modern. She leads exclusive tours for many British and American institutions, including the National Gallery of Washington, MOCA San Diego, the Patrons of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Historic New England. Additionally, Caroline lectures for NADFAS (the National Association of Decorative and Fine Art Societies).
Diane
Luquiser
Diplomacy and Public Affairs Specialist
Having received the title “Knight of the Order of Social Merit of Belgium” (Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite Social de Belgique), paired with being an insider of the European Commission in Brussels, Diane brings more than 20 years of experience in Diplomacy and Public Affairs to our Protocol and Diplomacy Certification delegates.
Diane is the Founder of an international network of senior consultants, with a specific expertise in working within EU institutions and high-level events planning. She is active in multiple NGOs, works with top tier influencers and various members of the Royal Family of Belgium. She holds credentials as an accredited journalist and outside of the professional scope of her duties, she dedicates time to running a charity Cocoa for Haiti.