Tanya de Poli of Founders: “Our Culture Is Family, Sharing, and Action”

The urgency of youth voices and social impact took center stage at Latino US Day during Cannes Lions 2026, according to Tanya de Poli, Co-Founder and CEO of Founders. De Poli moderated the panel “A Generation We Cannot Afford to Lose,” which featured Patricia Oliver, mother of Parkland shooting victim Joaquín Oliver, and historian and Gen Z advocate Khalil Greene.

The discussion focused on the role of younger generations in driving immediate social change, particularly in response to gun violence in the United States.

“We talked about the importance of this generation’s voice in creating immediate change against the epidemic of gun violence in the U.S.,” she said. De Poli emphasized the power of creators and advocates in amplifying social causes at a global level.

“Having someone like Khalil elevated the conversation,” she said. “He uses his platform to be the voice of children who no longer have one.”

She also addressed the role of artificial intelligence in the creative industry, arguing that human connection remains irreplaceable.

“Creatives are not going to disappear,” she said. “AI cannot replace human emotion or connection. We should spend less time fearing it and more time understanding how it can make us more efficient.”

Reflecting on Latino US Day, she highlighted the solidarity within the community. “Latino power in Cannes and in the world is real,” she said. “We are a culture of family and sharing.”

De Poli added that even global events can become moments of collective action. “After the earthquake in Venezuela today, the entire Latino community here is already thinking about ways to help,” she said. “That’s our spirit.”