Agustina Venturin is a Start-Up Manager at Axens. In this interview, Agustina discusses her international background, the importance of adaptability throughout her career in chemical engineering, and how practicing ballet has impacted her personally and professionally.

Interviewed by Juliette Travaillé

You were born in Argentina and moved to France in your teenage years. How has this international background played a role in your career?

Indeed, I have a multi-international background. At 12, I received a grant to come and study in France as I was practising ballet at a high level. It was difficult to leave my parents and my whole family behind at such an early age but being this young actually helped me. It was easier for me to adapt to France and its culture then than it would be now, as an adult.

I think that it played, and still plays, an important role in my career because it gave me the crucial skill of adaptation. This is important in the work that I do today, where I meet and exchange with lots of different people. Depending on the person in front of me, I always adapt my speech, behaviour and actions to make sure they feel heard and understood.

Depending on the person in front of me, I always adapt my speech, behaviour and actions to make sure they feel heard and understood.

As of right now, I wish to stay in France. When I arrived here, France adopted me, gave me a chance to pursue the career of my dreams even though I was not French myself. Staying in France is a way for me to give back. But my work gives me the opportunity to travel and explore other countries, while keeping a foot in France, my home.

You've done a PhD in chemical engineering and recycling processes of nuclear fuels. Why did you choose to pursue your studies and focus on R&D (Research and Development) ?

After my master’s degree, I had to make a difficult choice between the R&D and the supply chain worlds. I decided to continue with a PhD mainly because I felt that it would enable me to grow further both professionally and personally. During this time, I learnt a strict methodology that shaped me as a chemical engineer, letting me embrace my real personality and teaching me to be my best self.

After your PhD you decided to keep working in Research and Development (R&D) and switched to Axens in 2018. How did that transition go and what motivated you to take this step?

After my PhD, choosing a position as a R&D engineer was the logical way to go. I had the chance to get a position at IFPEN (IFP Energies Nouvelles). I stayed there for three years and put into action everything I had learnt during my PhD. After those three years, I felt the need to get closer to the practical reality of what I had been researching, and to the final product, so I decided to move to Axens, which is part of the same group as IFPEN.

I quickly realised that I would like to pursue my whole career in this direction. R&D was the best way for me to get started but I believe that shifting my focus to working on the final product and industrial units was the best way to go at this stage.

In 2022, you took the role as Manager in Axens’ Start-Up department. Could you talk about this position and what it entails?

Before becoming a manager, I spent more than four years as a start-up engineer. What I love about the start-up sector is that there’s no typical day. Every day is full of surprises. We mainly travel to our clients’ sites around the world and help them put in service the industrial units and products we sell to them. Thus, there isn’t a ‘typical’ project, which forces me to adapt.

Now, as a manager, I support my team on their projects and missions around the world. I juggle between technical and administrative issues and topics, in France and abroad. This is both challenging and fun as I have to go out of my comfort zone a little bit every day.

I am juggling between technical and administrative issues and topics, in France and abroad. It’s both challenging and fun as I have to go out of my comfort zone a little bit every day.

How do you deal with working in chemical engineering, a male-dominated field? What advice would you give women who wish to be a manager but are weary of this?

We can fairly say that it is a male dominated sector. To give you an idea, at Axens there are approximately 40 start up engineers and only 10% are women. There are other companies with even less % of women in this sector.

What I would advise is to never see yourself differently. I never feel different from my male colleagues or clients. I see all my co-workers as sources of inspiration, growth and knowledge, whether they be a man or a woman. As I have said before, it is crucial to learn to adapt in every situation. If you know how to adapt, you will avoid confrontation and conflict. Always be patient and adapt. Prove that you deserve to be there so you can gain people’s confidence.

I see all my coworkers as sources of inspiration, growth and knowledge, whether they be a man or a woman.

Since March you have been part of the Women Talent Pool (WTP) Programme. What are your main takeaways from the programme thus far?

My main takeaway is that even if we are very different women, working in distinct sectors, we have so much in common. We all have similar ways of thinking and issues to overcome. Hearing from these women and learning from them has been very empowering for me, whether it be from the workshops or the mentoring sessions, which are especially inspiring.

Before pursuing a career in chemical engineering you practiced ballet to a high level. How has this sport impacted your life?

I practiced ballet for a long time and there are lessons I learnt from it that I carry with me and will continue to do so. Ballet taught me two important things; to be rigorous and passionate in everything I do. These are two virtues that I believe to be the key to a balanced personal and professional life. I am not necessarily looking to achieve a perfect work-life balance, but to approach both my job, and my hobbies in the same way; with passion and rigour. My job as a manager has enabled me to work in the field that I wanted and to do it with passion. But this opportunity didn’t present itself, and my rigour was a key player in achieving my career goals.

Ballet taught me two important things; to be rigorous and passionate in everything I do. These are the two virtues that I believe to be the key to a balanced personal and professional life.

Ballet also taught me to make decisions. Indeed, at the end of high school I had to choose between pursuing a career as a professional dancer or studying chemical engineering. I decided to go for the latter and would still do so today if I had to make the choice again. I decided to fully close the ballet door and this chapter of my life and I don’t regret it because it led me to where I am today.

Finally, as a reader, what is your favourite book of all time?

This is such a hard question to answer, and I thought I would never be able to pick just one book. But I decided to pick The Einstein Enigma by Portuguese journalist José Rodrigues dos Santos. It’s the perfect mix of science, history and mystery. It tries to scientifically prove the existence of God based on a formula developed by Albert Einstein. It takes place in various settings and presents a totally different view about the origins of the universe. I really recommend this book, even if you are not a big scientist yourself!

Video edited by Claudia Heard

Meet Fatimazahra Imami, Senior Data Scientist at Rexel. In her interview, she tells us about how she worked her way up in data science, the importance of self-confidence and speaking up for yourself, inspiring books and more.

Interviewed by Josefine Häussling Löwgren

You studied data science at the INTP In Morocco, as well as the IMT Atlantique in France. What made you go on this path and what made you get into data science?

Data science is not a field that I initially chose. In high school, I had a background in computer science, and always loved problem solving. I studied for at an engineering school in Morocco for two years, before applying for a double degree here in France. Seeing that the field of study of data science was an option within the engineering school, I started to research it and learned that it's a cross-section between multiple different sectors - it's business, statistics, visualisation, and computer science. I realised that data science is the bridge between business and technology, providing the answer to business problems and enabling them to make better decisions. For example, it can help make sense of customers record and website traffic data. Data science is the key to unlocking valuable information that can drive better decision-making for your business as well as for your life, and for society. This makes it a field that is becoming increasingly important in recent years, especially with the development of generative AI.

Data science is the key to unlocking valuable information that can drive better decision-making.

You're currently Senior Data Scientist at Rexel. Could you tell us a bit more about what your day-to-day kind of routine is like? What are you most passionate about within the field of data science and in your role?

My job involves finding hidden patterns in data and unlocking valuable information, to help the business to make better decisions. I've learned a lot during my three years, building complex AI problems and handling complex data. I use this knowledge in collaboration with my team, to understand what the business needs and try to create AI solutions that will answer these needs.

What I am most passionate about is that I get to work with people from different backgrounds, as I work with people from the business side who do not necessarily have a background in data science or technical fields. This means that you need to actively listen and try to understand the issue that they are facing in order to translate it into a data problem. This involves building an AI algorithm or solution, finding the right metrics and KPIs that you will share with the business and striving to simplify it for them so that everyone is aligned on the solution you propose. It's a team effort where you create something from raw data, which would have been impossible even 20 years ago.

You recently got promoted to Senior Data Scientist after having worked at Rexel for three years. What challenges did you have to overcome in your career to get to this point? Is there any advice that you would give to young women pursuing a similar trajectory?

I am lucky enough to be part of a company that really supports its employees and gives them opportunities to evolve, so I have not faced any external challenges or barriers from them. I believe for women, sometimes the barriers come from within. When impostor syndrome kicks in, we do not raise our voices and speak up for ourselves. I would say that the biggest lesson that I have learned on my career journey is that we need to advocate for ourselves and be self-aware. This does not necessarily mean speaking for the sake of speaking, it means finding your moment, and grabbing the opportunities that align with your values. Even if you do the most amazing work, if no one knows about it, no one is going to stand up for you. I think it’s important to have people supporting you, because it is often said that the biggest decisions about your career are made when you are not in the room, which is why it’s important for people to hear about what you’ve done and advocate for you. I also believe that the importance of being prepared is not spoken about enough. Even the most confident person or the bravest public speaker will faulter if they have not prepared for a presentation in front of an audience, as it will be seen.

The final piece of advice that has helped me over the years is that a situation is never as bad as we imagine in our heads.  It’s easy to think about negative perceptions people may have of us but these are almost always false. Just stay focused on your mission and purpose, be prepared, and realise that the learning process never stops. As women we rarely praise ourselves, so I think it’s important to take the time to say, “I'm good at what I do, and I deserve what I have now.”

Take the time to say, “I'm good at what I do, and I deserve what I have now.”

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I am proud of the way I handle my everyday work. In comparison to three years ago, I am now a person who can enjoy the small things in life, like having a great conversation with my colleague, or having a cup of coffee on a sunny day. I think that life, including professional life, happens in the small moments. If you are just waiting for the breakthrough moments to celebrate, you will be missing out on a lot. Enjoy the process, enjoy the journey. I don't dread waking up every morning and coming to work, I enjoy my work and I enjoy the challenges I face. So, I would say that the way I live my professional life now is much better than three years ago, which is something I'm really proud of.

I think that life, as well as professional life, happens in the small moments.

You are currently a Talent in the 8th edition of the Women’s Talent Pool Programme. How do you feel the programme is helping you to achieve your leadership objectives?

One of the great things about the WTP Programme is that it's a safe space where you can ask questions. The fact that I can relate to my fellow Talents who have had similar experiences and hear from inspiring role models has really helped me. It helps me in speaking up for myself and overcoming my worries and insecurities. Networking opportunities like the Annual Gathering have been the most impactful experiences from the programme because you get to meet people from different professional backgrounds, giving you diverse perspectives.

This year, you shared on LinkedIn that you read the book “Invisible Women” By Caroline Criado Perez and how it deeply resonated with you as a data scientist. Could you elaborate on what this book teaches regarding data science and what you learnt from it? Are there any other books that you would recommend?

The book was amazing because it was full of case studies and statistics. It had a solid foundation that no one can argue with. Sometimes my male colleagues will say there is no problem regarding gender equality because we are getting the same salary. But if we look at the bigger picture, we can see that there are less women than men in leadership positions. The author argues that when workplaces were designed, women were not involved in that process, which does not mean that men locked themselves in a meeting room, trying to make women's lives miserable; it just means that they couldn’t assess the consequences of what they were building.

Women need to be included in all the decision-making processes as they will be impacted by them. That's why the book resonated with me, because in AI and data science, we need to keep in mind that AI solutions reflect the data on which they were trained. This means that if I train the model on bias data, it's going to produce bias results and impact people using this solution. Therefore, whatever we create based on AI needs to be inclusive, which is why we need more female scientists and more scientists coming from minority communities.

Whatever we create based on AI needs to be inclusive, which is why we need more female scientists and more scientists coming from minority communities.

Regarding the topic of gender, I also read the book “Lean in” by Sheryl Sandberg, It really resonated with me when she said that women are constantly asked about when the right time is to have children. I have noticed this same question came up at events I have been to with senior women and found it frustrating. Sheryl said that women start looking for the exit, even before entering. For example, I am 28 years old, and maybe I'm not planning on having children for the next five years. But still, it's something that is burdening me because I think this is going to block my career. She said that you don't need to think that much about it. Don't look for the exits, because maybe it's going to impact your choice of company and your career growth, even if it's not something happening in the near future.

I also love the writing style of Malcolm Gladwell. Maybe you don’t agree with the way he puts things or his ideas. But I think he’s a gifted storyteller, you get really absorbed when you read his books. For “The Making of a Manager ” is a great book. It doesn’t give you academic tips on how to be a manager, but uses the example of a woman working at Facebook, who got into a leadership position when she was very young and she describes how her colleagues, or former colleagues now reporting to her, were treating her. It shares an inspiring message for women who are looking to pursue leadership positions, especially at the beginning of their careers.

Video edited by Claudia Heard

Meet Maria Paz Esnaola, Regional Sales Maanger: Europe at Axens. In her interview, she tells us about what energises her in her client-facing role, overcoming challenges in the energy sector, and how the WTP programme has impacted her professional and personal development.

Interviewed by Claudia Heard

You have a background in engineering, having studied Chemical Engineering at University and worked in the energy sector throughout your career. What inspired you to take this path?

In high school I liked Chemistry and Maths but knew that I wanted to work in something related to the industry rather than in a laboratory. It was then that I discovered engineering. All the engineers I met at that moment inspired me and made me interested in following their path. I finally decided on Chemical Engineering and chose to go into the energy sector. It was a natural choice for me because the degree I did in Chemical Engineering at the University of Buenos Aires was very much related to the processes and technologies of that industry. When I finished my studies, my main goal was to see in practice the theory I had studied in the books. For my first job, I was looking to work in the field to see the valves, the pumps, the things that I was designing at university, to see how they worked in reality. Afterwards, I discovered that the energy sector had a direct link to what I had studied and had a tangible impact on the people and economy of a country, and vice versa. By choosing to work in this sector, I knew I could have a meaningful effect on human beings and the environment.

You have been a Regional Sales Manager for Europe at Axens since 2020. Can you tell us what a typical day in this role is like?

As Regional Sales Manager at Axens, I am at the intersection of the interactions between the company and the customer. I discuss their needs and try to find the best solution possible to support them with our products and services. A typical day involves understanding these needs and communicating them to the technical experts within Axens. Meeting a variety of internal and external stakeholders is a substantial part of the role, which means I get to travel a lot to build relations with clients.

There is another very specific aspect of the role, which is to respond to customer bids. When we receive a bid, whether it is from the public or private sector, we mobilise different Axens teams to come up with a strategy and coordinate the technical and commercial aspects to beat the competition and get the bid. This requires a strong competitive spirit but you also need to collaborate with the different departments in Axens such as the technical and legal departments, as well as local and regional representatives in order to secure the bid successfully. It is really exciting to get to work with people with a range of different backgrounds and expertise towards the same goal.

It is exciting to get to work with  people with a range of different backgrounds and expertise towards the same goal.

Prior to becoming a Regional Sales Manager, you were an engineer and technologist focusing on the design of hydrogenation technologies. What motivated you to take on a more client–facing role and how did you adapt to the demands of this different position? Are their skills and lessons you have been able to transfer from your previous role?

When I took on my current position, I was seeking closer contact with the customer, because I was convinced that building long-term, trusting relationships with them would facilitate doing business and would allow me to communicate effectively to provide them with more tailored solutions. In my previous role as a technologist, I was lucky to be able to meet customers all over the world and explain the technical aspects of what they needed, but long-term relationships were limited. When I first transferred to sales, it was difficult – I had to approach the company itself from a completely different angle and adapt in order to learn negotiation skills and many legal terms.

I also started the position at the worst possible time for customer interaction – March 2020! Over time, the situation improved, and I was able to use the engineering expertise I had built up over the course of my career to better understand the customer’s technical needs.

 

Axens is a key player in the energy transition, with a focus on solutions for the conversion of oil and biomass to cleaner fuel, and the purification of petrochemical intermediates. While at Axens, what has been your proudest contribution to this mission?

I have two proudest moments, both of which happened recently. The first was my contribution to achieve the firstindustrial design of plastic recycling technology in the world. By developing a new customised business model and working with the customer at all levels of their organisation to show the benefits of this approach and technology, we were able to create solutions tailored to their needs. My close contact with the customer facilitated this.

The second instance was when I supported one of my clients when they faced a very difficult moment. An accident occurred in their refinery and part of it had to be rebuilt as quickly as possible. Axens was able to provide a solution for them and I quickly took the lead to coordinate everyone in order to support them. Generally, after an accident happens it is very difficult to make critical decisions as you need to consider peoples’ differing emotions and desired outcomes. I believe that by offering an outsider’s perspective, we can help clients move forward. Their gratitude for our involvement makes my day.

I believe that by offering an outsider’s perspective, we can help clients move forward. Their gratitude for our involvement makes my day.

You have been in a leadership position as Regional Sales Manager for the last three years. What has helped you get to this point and what advice would you have for young women in looking to work their way up in STEM careers?

What helped me is to believe in myself and to think that everything is possible, even when it doesn’t seem that way. If I look at my career as an example, it seemed an impossible task to come from Argentina, which is so far away, and to still be able to achieve my dreams. But I knew that I wanted to work in another country, to learn from other cultures and other ways of working. It was daunting, but once I believed that I could achieve this goal I found Axens, and the IFP were offering a scholarship to study in France. I could not believe when I got admitted and needed to put all my life in 23 kilos of luggage and move, but it happened!

In the engineering and energy sector, there is not enough female representation, but this is slowly improving. I have been surprised many times when finding myself to be the only woman in the refinery, or at a customer’s site. However, I would say that what really counts is if you have a purpose and you work as a team.

You have been a Member of the Women Talent Programme since March 2023. Can you share with us any important lessons you have taken away from it so far?

Listening to the different pathways other Talents and Workshop Facilitators have taken has been very empowering for me. I always wanted to work in a role that would directly impact society and during the WTP Programme, I can see how others have done this, which inspires me to take my next steps. I especially appreciate the Career Development sessions. I have just become a mother and it is never easy to think about your professional future when you are building your personal one at the same time. However, the mentoring sessions allow me to discuss maternity alongside career evolution, to take some distance, and think about what I really want. I have been shown that it is possible to balance the personal and the professional, and to succeed in both.

I have been shown that it is possible to balance the personal and the professional, and to succeed in both.

You grew up in Argentina before moving to France on an Axens Scholarship. So to end, I’d like to ask – Argentine or French food?

I can’t decide between the two! An ideal meal for me would be Argentine steak paired with French cheese and wine – the best of both worlds.

Meet Florence Marcel-Cellière, Group Senior Manager of Supplier Digital Partnerships at Rexel. In this interview, she explains her role in the Digital Marketing field, the need for digital tranformation, and how her international background has impacted her personally and professionally.

Interviewed by Irene Reyes Suero

You have a degree in European management and a Masters in international marketing, as well as a digital marketing certificate. What inspired you to go into the marketing field?

To be more accurate, I did a master’s degree in International Marketing at the Grenoble Ecole de Management, which is a business school. Then, I decided to spend a year in Germany studying European Management. After a few years, I decided to expand my knowledge in marketing, so I went back to school to study Digital Marketing, and got a certificate in this field from ESCP, Paris Business School.

I believe that Marketing is one of the most exciting sectors because there are so many opportunities, from marketing strategy to marketing study, data, operational marketing, and more. Also, you can work in a very collaborative environment and thrive in an international atmosphere, which I love. Therefore, I think marketing allows you to develop numerous skills, both soft and hard. From creative thinking, commercial awareness and critical thinking to communication, marketing gives you the chance to develop interpersonal skills. To this day, I am still excited to be flourishing in the marketing sector, and the foundation of this is that I am passionate about understanding the customers' behaviour and providing the best customer experience for them.

To this day, I am still excited to be flourishing in the marketing sector. The foundation of all this is that I am passionate about understanding the customers' behaviour and providing the best customer experience for them.

Currently you are Group Senior Manager for Supplier Digital Partnerships at Rexel. Could you tell us more about what your daily job looks like and what aspect you enjoy most?

I would say it's a unique role that can't be found in every organisation. Rexel is one of the top worldwide leaders and distributors of energy solutions for professionals. Something people are unaware of is that the top two leaders in this field are European and French, which we are very proud of. My role within Rexel is to promote the brands, services, and products of our preferred partners. These are our suppliers, such as Schneider, ABB, LEDVANCE, and Hager, to name a few. With them, my key goal is to build digital roadmaps and activate digital marketing tools to promote the brand and our products in the countries Rexel serves, with the aim of improving customer experience. To give you some examples, we can create banners, email campaigns, configurators or simplified carts to help customers buy more easily the products they need. These are some of the many digital marketing tools we develop with suppliers to grow digital sales. Also, I have created a co-marketing community with category managers, marketing individuals, and digital people to share best practices, success stories, and guidelines on how to improve and become the partner of choice of our preferred suppliers. It is a fascinating job that requires a lot of skills and interaction working with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

As part of your role, you work with suppliers to support Rexel’s aim to reach 50% of digital sales by the end of 2027. Why this 50% target and do you see as the main advantages for companies like Rexel in embedding technologies across their business?

At Rexel, most of us share this goal of 50% of digital sales by 2027. The fact that it's digital is not a choice. Digital transformation is happening in all sectors, especially the energy world; we need to provide more efficient and sustainable solutions to our customers. This totally resonates with Rexel’s purpose: “Electrifying solutions that make a sustainable future possible”. Digital covers many different topics, but it is not being digital for the sake of being digital. First, it increases customer experience, and it helps them be more efficient and sustainable. For instance, small contractors and electricians look to place orders quickly. We developed a simplified process to support them in ensuring they have the complete order and everything they need for their projects. We also provide them with some solutions for cross-sale product recommendations. At the end of the day, we are helping them to complete the order with better offers. On a larger scale, if you look at industrial customers, manufacturers, for example, they are looking more for complete product data because they need very technical products, so this is where our product detail page comes in. We focus on providing best in class product data to give the customer all the information they need.

Another example would be a commercial customer, so they would need more EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) solutions, which are procurement solutions. It is vital to develop digital solutions to meet customers' needs. For example, we have developed AI solutions to better understand customer behaviour so we can offer them solutions and products that totally fit their needs.

At Rexel, most of us share this goal of 50% of digital sales by 2027. The fact that it's digital is not a choice. Digital transformation is happening in all sectors, especially the energy world; we need to provide more efficient and sustainable solutions to our customers.

You have a very international background having studied your Bachelors in Germany and worked in the United States. How do you think these experiences have impacted you as a person, and perhaps even your leadership style?

I have continuously evolved in a very international environment.  It makes you understand differences and accept that they can create a more innovative and exciting environment. I read an article from Hubert Joly, a professor at Harvard Business School and the former CEO of Best Buy. He says leaders should be more caring.  He mentions in the article the different values that a leader, or a carer, should have: authenticity, vulnerability, humility, empathy, and humanity. They are the values that matter most to me that I try to apply most in my ‘careship.’

Authenticity, vulnerability, humility, empathy, and humanity. They are the values that matter most to me that I try to apply most in my careship.

While in the US you worked for Rexel for four years, first as a Business Development Director and then as a Marketing Director. Could you tell us more about your experience working in the US? What differences did you notice with working in Europe?

I had the amazing opportunity to experience working in the US with Rexel for five years. I noticed they have a different approach to working, compared to France. The big difference is that American people are generally very goal-oriented. They are very positive, and energetic. I don't want to generalise, but this is what I noticed and experienced with Rexel. They are also risk-takers. You learn by experience. It is fantastic if you succeed, but it is also great if you fail - you will learn a lot from that. Another difference is that meetings are very structured, towards achieving these goals; they leave more place for execution. I learnt a lot from the US style of working, and I now try to mix this with French methods - it is fantastic to take the best from the US and the best from Europe and France.

I had some difficulties readjusting when I came back to Europe. In our culture, we like to argue and discuss a lot. The topics of the meeting and the goals are constantly changing. There is a lot of discussion before a decision is made because we want to analyse everything and ensure we don't take too many risks. On the contrary, in the US it is less talk, more action.  I am trying to continue to apply the enthusiasm, energy, and the "it is okay to fail" mindset to my work now. All in all, it is one of the most exciting experiences I've had outside of France. I learnt a lot, professionally and personally.

You joined WIL’s Talent Pool Programme in March 2023. What do you expect to get out of this experience at the end of the 12 months?

I am very grateful to have joined this programme. At first, I was not sure if it was really for me. I was looking at all the young women; I am closer to my fifties than my thirties so I thought I would feel out of place. However, I am expecting to get inspired by these strong leaders and share with my peers how to grow self-confidence and clarify goals, both professionally and personally. When I came back from the US, I I had to readjust, and I was confused about my future and about what my next big step would be. Now, this programme is helping me gain self-confidence and grow my leadership.

To finish, what advice would you give to young girls who want to hold leadership positions in the future?

What is most important is to believe in yourself. I think it is okay to have ups and downs; just ask for help, dare, and be yourself. Do not try to be someone else. If you want to join a company that offers many opportunities for women who wish to thrive, join Rexel. It is a company where, as a woman, I feel good, energised, and where people trust me.

What is most important is to believe in yourself. I think it is okay to have ups and downs; just ask for help, dare, and be yourself. Do not try to be someone else.

Video edited by Claudia Heard

Meet our WTP8 Talent Maria Lucia Portocarrero, Global Climate & Circular Economy Programme Manager at Tarkett. She speaks to us about what motivates her, the challenges of sustainable growth, and the importance of being in touch with your core values.

To get started and to get to know you, could you please give us a little background on how you came to your current position at Tarkett?

I was born and raised in Nicaragua and went to university there to study industrial engineering. From there I worked in a brewery as a project planner for five years, which was a super exciting environment as it was very fast paced. During my time there, however, I started to ask myself what I really wanted to do and wanted to find more purpose in my career. So, I decided to go back to university while I was still working, and I chose a hybrid programme with a focus on public policy, renewable energy and the environment. This really motivated me to change my career and I decided to do a full-time Masters in Management of Eco-Innovation in France. It was a very intuitive decision and 4 months later I was living and studying in France. While I was there, I met a woman who had come to speak at an event about sustainability and cradle to cradle. I approached her and told her that what she said really inspired and resonated with me and that I would love to learn more. This conversation led to an internship opportunity with her. Although not planned, this was the beginning of my stay in Europe, and I have not returned to Nicaragua to this day.

Tarkett is a world leader in innovative and sustainable flooring, and you are helping to shape the company as Programme Manager for the Global Climate & Circular Economy Programme. What excites you most about your work at Tarkett and your current position?

For me it is about two things. One is impact. Tarkett is a very large company. It produces about 1.3 million square metres of flooring a day, so that's a lot of surface area. With that in mind, I can actually improve the sustainability of the flooring in all those instances. When you put that into perspective, it becomes really rewarding. It is pretty cool to take a step back from my day-to-day work and see how impactful it is.

Secondly, it is the changes that have taken place over the 10 years that I have been working at Tarkett. My colleagues are becoming more and more aware of sustainability issues and their commitment to it is becoming much more than just a job. Their sincere belief in it is now really becoming an internal driving force within the company. To see this change and motivation all around me is really rewarding and inspiring.

It is pretty cool to take a step back from my day-to-day work and see how impactful it is.

What did you learn from working abroad in Brussels? And what qualities or attitudes did you bring with you from Nicaragua that help you in your daily work?

I really feel at home in Europe now and I have integrated into the culture of Europe and Brussels. In my first years here, however, the fact that I was from Nicaragua was more present. Nevertheless, what has always stayed with me is my optimism, enthusiasm, and thirst for learning. When I started working here, I really wanted to learn, and for about 4 years I was in a very intense ‘study-mode.’ Also, I think my background helped me to integrate and understand cultural differences. It really encouraged me to work and learn with different people from different cultures. As I work with partners from all over the world, this regularly comes in handy and is a useful asset.

What has always stayed with me is my optimism, enthusiasm, and thirst for learning

You have a very holistic understanding of sustainability, including the well-being and health of people and the environment. What aspect of sustainability do you think more people need to be aware of?

This is a difficult question, but I will be very direct and address something that is not very popular in mainstream sustainability - the fact that we can't talk about sustainability if we don't question growth. But challenging that paradigm is a super important step, as is critically analysing current measures of human well-being and prosperity. For me, this is something that is at the heart of sustainability and needs so much more attention.

The cradle-to-cradle framework mentioned earlier can be a good way to challenge current structures and beliefs and try to move towards a circular economy. However, for me there is a blind spot in these theories: the positive impact we can have. Moving towards a more sustainable system is not just about reducing harm, it is about recognising that the small actions we take can actually shape the future of this planet and its people in the most positive way.

Have you had role models and what was the most valuable piece of advice you received from another woman?

I never really had role models, but I have met some very inspiring women and what I have learned from them is to live my own truth, to be transparent about your core values and to speak and act in accordance with them.  

If I could recommend one inspiring woman, I would say listen to Vandana Shiva. She seems to me to be completely in line with her core values and she expresses them through her body language, her speech, and her actions. She has really made me believe that we as women need to speak from our own truth and be coherent about it.

I have met some very inspiring women and what I have learned from them is to live my own truth, to be transparent about your core values and to speak and act in accordance with them

You have been a talent in the Women in Talent Pool programme since March 2023. It's probably been a whirlwind since then, but would you be so kind as to share with us one of your most memorable moments from the programme?

Yes, I think there is definitely one specific moment when I felt extremely inspired and even emotional, and that was at the Annual Gathering in Rome during a meeting with Cristiana Falcone. A scheduled guest speaker could not arrive in time, so instead we, about eight WIL Talents, spent about two hours with her. It was a completely informal exchange about our deepest wishes and dreams, without any restrictions. It was amazing to see all these different dream worlds and rich things that came out of this discussion. Somehow, there was a very intense energy among all these women sharing this safe space and I am so glad that I was one of them.

Somehow, there was a very intense energy among all these women sharing this safe space and I am so glad that I was one of them.

And last but not least, if you do have a bit of free time: Which book would you recommend to everyone, or who is your favourite writer?

Oh, it is so hard to choose just one!  A book that really changed me was "Women Who Run with the Wolves" by Clarissa Pinkola. It was one of those books that really broadened my thinking, but also opened my heart in so many ways. It just reaffirmed my need to live my own truth and be in alignment with myself and my deepest values. Otherwise, you just burn out over time and start to die little by little. But it also taught me that it is okay if that happens. The important thing is to pick yourself up and bring yourself back home and recharge.

I would also like to mention the book I am currently reading, which so far is really incredible. It is called "The Myth of Normal" and it is written by Gabor Mate. It has just blown me away. It really made me think a lot about what we as a society think is normal, and what is not. Reading this book is really challenging but also so enriching. Finally, I also have to mention "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. It was just incredible!

Video edited by Claudia Heard

Meet Fida Jounaidi, Service Data and Integration Delivery Manager at Rexel. In this interview, she talks about her path towards her current management role, her experience leading a team in the STEM field and tips on how to apply your professional skills to other fields like volunteering and event organisation.

Interviewed by Irene Reyes Suero

You have a background in telecommunications engineering. What inspired you to pursue a career in STEM?

I have a Bachelor's in computer and telecommunication engineering and studying in this area always felt like a natural path for me because I am surrounded by family members who studied science, engineering, and mathematics.

What also influenced me was that, since childhood, I have been curious about things and have done experiments where I could on elements, nature, and animals (without hurting them, of course!) I like observing; I like finding answers and solving problems. When I chose to study STEM, I thought it would give me the freedom to constantly learn new things and break up the repetitive workdays. I can get bored quite quickly, so I like to be challenged, to learn new things and to improve myself.

In 2016 you took a step towards your first management position. What motivated you to take this jump?

My first management experience goes back a little further, to 2008, but at that time I was technically managing projects and teams on a smaller scale. Since the beginning of my professional career, I have taken up leadership positions naturally, and I always like doing it in a collaborative way: working with a team and within a team, supporting others, training and coaching them, and helping them understand different concepts. As I mentioned before, I like solving problems and love to bring ideas to life, and for me, this is one of the purposes of being a project manager: to bring ideas to life, not leave them only as a theory. For that, I also need to be challenged; I need to be surrounded by a team. In 2016 I had my first opportunity to manage my own team and started leading more extensive programmes, such as resourcing, communications and steering committees. It was an evolution from an experience in the technical management of projects to more business management of programming, projects and teams. It was a growth in my career and a natural path for me.

I like solving problems and love to bring ideas to life, and for me, this is one of the purposes of being a project manager: to bring ideas to life, not leave them only as a theory.

You are an Integration Delivery Manager at Rexel. What does your day-to-day work look like?

I was promoted two months ago to the position of Service Data and Integration Delivery Manager. I am still the Integration Delivery Manager; this new role is an extension. Now in my current role, I take on different responsibilities, including supporting strategic transformation projects across Rexel countries. I am part of Rexel Development, where my role is to help and support countries in their digital transformation projects by overseeing their integration development roadmap. We onboard and support the countries from design to production, developing document standards and methodologies around integration. To achieve my goals, I rely on a team of about fifteen teammates who support me in my work.

My day-to-day is mainly collaborating and supporting my team in their daily tasks. I work closely with the country's IT and business teams, and I oversee team coordination. I also provide a lot of technical guidance, mainly in project management. I do risk management, working with the architects, the infrastructure team, and the cybersecurity team to ensure the quality of what we are delivering, to ensure it fits with the right standards, and to be careful that we do not provide anything that breaches security. In addition to supporting my team, I also manage the budget and human resources, and I provide service support to my manager. For me, it is essential to celebrate small achievements and successes. Each day we have a win to celebrate, and I like that about my job.

For me, it is essential to celebrate small achievements or small successes. Each day we have a win to celebrate, and I like that about my job.

What has your experience been of holding a management position in a male-dominated industry? Is there any advice you would give to young girls entering this field?

I was not a manager during my first five years of experience, so I did not notice it was a male-dominated world. I discovered this when I arrived in Paris. I did my engineering studies in Tunisia where there were few gender differences in this domain and as many young women as men joining engineering studies. However, if I think about my current experience as a manager, it is another story. Being a manager in a male-dominated domain is challenging. It was not so easy to tell yourself this truth and admit there might be a gender gap in this field.  Nowadays, when I arrive at a new position, domain, or company, I feel that I need more time to establish and prove myself. There have been times when managers forgot to include me in design or technical decisions, so I had to remind them that I am not only executing instructions: I need to be a part of decision-making. I am sure that this reflects the experience of many women working in this field.

My advice for young women would be to set aside all prejudices and gender biases and convince yourself that there are no differences in competencies. That way you will discover that there is no specific domain for men or women. If you like to be continuously challenged, learn science and technology, and are curious, STEM is an excellent domain to be in.

If you like to be continuously challenged, learn science and technology, and are curious, STEM is an excellent domain to be in.

What influenced you to join WIL's Talent Pool Programme? What are you hoping to get out of this experience?

Last year I had the opportunity to be invited to the 10th anniversary of WIL in Paris. It was a click moment: I saw that I wanted to join this initiative and network; I wanted to meet and exchange with these impressive women. What I hope from this programme is to learn and get inspired by senior women, gain tools, self-confidence, be more efficient, become less afraid of trying things, have the courage to make mistakes and go outside my comfort zone. I also hope to get some tips for finding a good balance between personal and professional life. Even if I joined for only a few months again, I feel I have already started to spread my wings. I am already learning tips and getting tools.

I see that, apart from your professional life, you are also involved in volunteering activities, notably being a member of the organising committee of Festival Ciné-Palestine. What moved you to get involved in the world of cinema?

I grew up in a family that attaches great importance to the arts, particularly Palestinian culture. I am Palestinian, Tunisian, and French and my father is Palestinian. I was immersed in the love  of arts, dance and films, particularly Palestinian film because my father liked cinema. I had a lot of opportunities to go and watch Palestinian movies while growing up in Tunisia. When I moved to Paris, I hoped to find the same. After learning about the creation of Festival Ciné-Palestine, I joined the initiative in 2015. It is an initiative created by a group of cinema lovers to enable Parisian and French festival goers discover the richness of Palestinian cinema. It has been a way to meet and discover my Palestinian identity, which, for me, is found more through the art path, which has no borders.

A group of volunteers, usually multinational, multilingual women, organise the festival. Since  I have always liked working collectively in a group, I wanted to give the festival the benefit of my experience as a project manager. I love this initiative because, in addition to getting exposure to culture and arts, I am learning a lot at an organisational level since I oversee fundraising. I have taken on different responsibilities during my nine years of volunteering at the festival. Previously I was a coordinator, where I learned to communicate, broker media partnerships, and more. I am also part of the film selections. Now I have less time to take part in this initiative, but I am still learning a lot and having the time to discover films. We are now showing photograph exhibitions, doing round tables with artists, not only with film directors but also painters, photographers, and so on. This extension to other fields continues to impress me.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to combine their work life with their passions?

When we love something, we will always enjoy finding time to do it. I advise being curious, passionate, and true to yourself. Take time to breathe. Take time to focus on yourself. From my side, I meditate by doing yoga or practicing Sufi dance, which is a form of meditation. It is essential to take this time to take a step back and think: am I pursuing something I want to do, not only in my professional life but also in my personal life? We need to take care of our health; for that, we need to do whatever we love, but also to take some time and rest.

When we love something, we will always enjoy finding time to do it. I advise being curious, passionate, and true. Take time to breathe. Take time to focus on yourself.

Video edited by Claudia Heard

Interviewed by Chaminiee Ilangakoon

Meet our WTP Talent, Fatima-Zahra Samaoui, IC Country Partner at Orange Morocco. She speaks about how her view of growth and career has changed over the years, what motivates her to keep working to become the best version of herself, and why women must strive for a seat at the table.

 

You have been at Orange since 2011 in various roles. What is it about the company that has kept you engaged for over 10 years?

I've been with Orange for over a decade now. I joined the company when I was very young and the journey that I’ve been on has been, personally and professionally, very rewarding. What has kept me engaged at Orange has been, firstly, the company's commitment to innovation. Ours is a company that continually seeks to push boundaries in the telecommunications industry. For me, it is important to be a part of an organisation that allows me to contribute to challenging, cutting edge projects, and to really feel that I am a part of the digital transformation in my market.

Secondly, the multicultural and varied work environment that Orange offers has been a strong motivation. Orange has allowed me to work in different markets - B2B markets, B2C markets, wholesale markets – and in different geographies. I've worked across Europe, in the UK and France, and in Morocco with Western African countries. This has been a great opportunity to discover different ways of working and of understanding business.

The third and final factor is Orange’s commitment to inclusion and diversity. As a woman who grew up in Morocco and studied in France, Orange has offered me an environment where I have felt in my place and with all opportunities open to me. This has certainly made me stay loyal and engaged within the company.

 

To what extent has your journey been in line with what you expected when you started on Orange’s Graduate Programme?

When I started the graduate programme, I was just coming out from school and my expectations were high. Now I can confidently say that my journey at Orange has exceeded these expectations. Why? I have participated in many trainings, development programmes and mentoring, and I have received a strong foundation and support throughout my career. I have had the opportunity to grow both vertically and horizontally by exploring different functions and markets, and this remains the case today. All in all, I'm very happy with my experience so far!

What has been one of the greatest lessons for you during your professional life so far? Is there anything that you would do differently if you had the chance?

One of the greatest lessons I have learned is, in Sheryl Sandberg’s words, the importance of having and taking a seat at the table as a woman. This concept really focuses on how important it is for women to be present and to have an active role in decision making processes, and to truly take a seat. Even if this seat is not offered to you, just take it. If you think that your voice brings value to the company and to the business, realise the power of being present as a woman and voicing your ideas, of actively contributing to discussions, and of always seeking a place at the table.

It is important for women to be present and to have an active participation in decision making processes and to truly to take a seat. Even if this seat is not offered to you, just take it.

This didn’t come naturally to me. I was not raised that way. Even during my studies, I didn’t tend to speak out because I was afraid of being seen as bossy. But what I realise now is that this approach doesn't work. You need to make your perspective heard and to influence outcomes if you really think that it will drive positive change for the business and the working environment.

To answer the second part of your question, if I had the chance to do things differently, I would focus more on building stronger networks and alliances with like-minded individuals, both women men. I would also seek more to be more connected with people who share the goal of promoting gender equality and inclusivity and are willing to drive this change. And it's not too late for that, I think.

You are currently the IC Country Partner for Morocco. Can you share a bit about what your role entails?

My role is split between two activities, with two main roles. The first role is focused on sales development. I manage business and strategic commercial relations with other telecom operators in my region of North Africa. My second role is that of local team leader, which involves attracting and retaining talent in our local team and fostering a positive and inclusive work culture. It is important for me to ensure alignment with our company's vision and values and make people feel great in their jobs!

 

What energises you most about your work?

Helping people to feel really connected to their jobs and themselves. This is so crucial today. My team and colleagues are relatively young, and it's very important for them to have this alignment: to feel that they are useful, that they are bringing something and having impact. What really energises me is to help others and support team members to realise their full potential. Doing so is incredibly rewarding.

What really energises me is to help others and support help team members to realise their full potential. Doing so is incredibly rewarding.

Another thing that brings me energy is travelling to other African countries to see my customers. It gives me the opportunity to be immersed in different cultures and different ways of doing business. I get to see digital transformation in a variety of countries and cultures and how it can impact communities and people's lives. It is a side of my job that I really enjoy.

What is your experience as a working woman? Do you see barriers for women in the workplace?

The answer is yes. As a working woman, I experience both opportunities and challenges.

Today we still have barriers like the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles. Although our CEO, Christel Heydemann, is the first woman CEO for Orange Group and for such a big telco company, there remains a stubbornly low rate of female representation at the top level of organisations, and as such women still have a lack of role models and mentors. If you ask students coming out of business or engineering school, “Who is your role model?”, they will answer Elon Musk or Bill Gates, and you never hear them mention a female role model. It would be great to have students coming out from school saying, “My role model is Sheryl Sandberg or Christine Lagarde.” That's the first real barrier for females in the workplace.

The second one is work-life balance. I'm a mother of two sons. I know what it is to go on maternity leave and to have to live up to certain expectations. Here in Morocco, people expect that your main role is at home and with your kids, that your career is not a priority. It is a vision of the world where women are supposed to make choices between family and career. But for me it is not about making choices. I can do my best in every area of my life and try to be aligned to my wishes and values. At the same time, I'm not a superwoman and I cannot excel everywhere. I try to be me and to give energy to my work, to build projects and overcome challenges, but still being a mum and a woman, having friends and going out.

I try to be me and to give energy to my work, build projects and overcome challenges, but still being a mum and a woman, having friends and going out.

And there is a third one for me. Today, we're still having debates about difference in salaries between men and women. I don't understand why anyone would find it natural for a man who is in a leadership position to have a higher salary, and yet inequalities persist. In my discussions with mentors, with other women who have had remarkable career journeys, I see that the financial part is still a challenge for us.

How have you built confidence and resilience over the course of your career?

I have built confidence and resilience by going outside of my comfort zone: by seeking new challenges and exploring news areas, even if I don't feel comfortable and am not confident. That would be the first factor. The second one is that I come from a family of boys. I only have brothers and I think that has played a significant role in shaping my growth throughout my career.

Growing up, I was the nice, good student who was always asking for permission to talk, to have a seat at the table, and always apologising for having an opinion. I quickly understood in the different positions and job roles that I held that this wasn’t helping me, nor my company. So, one day I decided to stop trying to be the ‘première de la classe’. This idea has been popularised by Sheryl Sandberg with what she calls the ‘Tiara syndrome’, where you expect other people to tell you: “Wow, you're doing a great job. You're a good girl”. I stopped expecting other people to tell me that I've done a good job and stared telling myself: I'm going to do a great job and I'm going to highlight this with facts and figures. I'm not expecting rewards; what I'm expecting is to develop myself and challenge myself on my journey. That's it.

I'm not expecting rewards, what I'm expecting from myself is to develop myself and challenge myself in my journey. That's it.

What are your passions, occupations, and motivations outside of your work?  

When I'm not working at Orange, my family is my passion. I'm a mother of two sons, a five-year-old and 10-month-old and I love watching them grow up. Each day is a new experience, a new learning for them: how to walk, how to talk, how to ask for things; asking philosophical questions about the universe that are difficult to answer. I really enjoy it. Another passion of mine is boxing. It allows me to stay active, to relieve stress and push myself physically and mentally. 

Video Edited by Claudia Heard

Interviewed by Meike Schneiders

Now a director at Flint Global, you have had an impressive career in European policymaking. Can you tell us how you got into the field and what your first steps were?

I got into this field by chance. I was studying political science at the University of Pavia in Italy where I took a course on EU policymaking. I really enjoyed it and wrote my thesis on the role of interest groups in the EU decision-making process. In addition to doing research at home, my supervisors told me to go to Brussels and spend a few months there to see first-hand how European policymaking works. So, I applied for and secured an internship in Brussels, which is how and where it all started.

After a few years in Brussels, I decided to move to London to improve my English. The idea was always to move back to Brussels after a year, but life got in the way, and I started working as a junior consultant at Flint in 2017. I have really enjoyed my growth there and the chance to move through the different career stages. I've now been a director for over two years, and my main role is to advise clients on digital policy and platform regulation. There is no day like any other! A big part of my role involves managing and organising a team so that together we can serve the client to the best of our ability. Our main tasks include regulatory and policy analysis, as well as helping clients with opportunities to engage with policymakers in Brussels. Overall, we help them refine their massage and communicate their business and political objectives.

After growing up in Italy, much of your working life has taken place abroad. Was this a conscious decision and what have been the main challenges and takeaways of working outside of your home country?

For me, it was a very conscious decision. I always imagined myself living and working abroad and have done so in France, the UK and Belgium. In terms of challenges, I think it really depends on the country you move to and the job you do. My biggest challenge in London, where I am currently based, has been adapting to a style of communication that is very much linked to British culture. For example, I quickly learnt that when someone says "interesting" to you, it is usually not an invitation to hear more from you on the subject, but a very polite way of saying that they want to move on. While working and living abroad is very exciting, it can also be very daunting at times. You are in a foreign place, and you must adapt to a different way of speaking and behaving. But it's important to accept that you are who you are and that there will always be some cultural differences. Ultimately, you will learn, and you will adapt to the environment in which you work, but your colleagues will also learn from you and your approach, so in that way you also contribute to a more dynamic workplace.

What are some mistakes or obstacles in your career that you feel you have grown from?

Everyone will make mistakes and face obstacles in their career, and that's normal; it's part of growing and learning. Early on in my career, my biggest challenge was establishing myself. I was young and trying to find my way in public affairs. I often found myself in meetings with very senior colleagues and clients and felt the imposter syndrome and fear of not being heard creeping in. But your confidence grows over time as you develop your expertise, and that helps. Two things that have been particularly useful for me have been preparation - before I go into a meeting, I always like to write down a few points that I can make in a very confident way in the discussion - and the support of seniors. I have been lucky enough to work with colleagues who were inclusive and wanted everyone to be involved in the discussions.

Everyone will make mistakes and face obstacles in their career, and that's normal; it's part of growing and learning.

As you mentioned, your main focus is supporting clients on policy and regulation in the digital, telecoms, and media sectors. What do you see as the broad trends in digital policy in 2023?

In the last few years in Europe there have been many ambitious digital and platform-related regulations, so a lot has already changed already. I think that in the rest of 2023 and going forwards, we will continue to see developments in several areas, most prominently with the increased scrutiny around AI and especially generative AI; a focus on network deployment to achieve the EU's digital connectivity goals; more attention on data flows, handling and data protection; further assessment of the impact that technology can have on carbon emissions; and, lastly, an interest in virtual worlds such as the metaverse. I don’t think that any of these big topics are likely to go away anytime soon.

You are now part of the 8th edition of WIL Europe's Women Talent Pool (WTP) leadershp programme, which aims to train and promote a new generation of female leaders in Europe. What would you say has been your most defining moment on the programme to date?

I joined the WTP programme in March and it is already very difficult to pick one defining moment. Over the past few months, we have been lucky to have been trained and mentored by some incredible women who have shared their knowledge and experiences from their professional careers in a very open and honest way. One moment that really stood out was WIL's annual event in Rome in June, an event with an incredible line-up of speakers in an outstanding location and the first time that our cohort had all met in person. It was useful to build on each other's experiences and advice and a great opportunity to connect and become part of a network of women who share similar career aspirations. It was an invaluable experience for my professional growth, but also for my personal growth and well-being.

What change or movement would you like to see on gender equality in your sector?

I have been fortunate in my career to work with and be inspired by brilliant women. But when it comes to gender equality in public affairs, I think more needs to be done. A 2022 survey of women in public affairs found that more than 50 per cent of women don't feel that their company is transparent about career progression and pay, and women working in public affairs still don't see that they are paid the same as their male colleagues. According to the survey, only half of public affairs employers in both the public and private sectors publish their maternity policies and only a third of them publish their gender pay gap. This lack of transparency certainly exacerbates existing gender gaps. However, in my view gender equality shouldn't be a box-ticking exercise for businesses to thrive. Instead, employers need to create a workplace that actively promotes diversity and equality because it benefits everyone. It's not just about getting the right people in the room. You need to include them in discussions, you need to take their advice and perspective on board, and you really need to create a truly inclusive environment.

Gender equality shouldn't be a box-ticking exercise for businesses to thrive. Instead, employers need to create a workplace that actively promotes diversity and equality because it benefits everyone.

And finally, the ultimate question (at least if you ask people abroad about Italian food): Pizza or pasta, and which is your favourite?

I'm Italian so these are obviously a staple for me! It’s really a difficult choice to make, but I would go for pasta. My ultimate favourite is homemade gnocchi and, as I am from Calabria, I also like to add a little bit of chilly.

Video edited by Claudia Heard

Interviewed by Abigail Ghercea

Meet our WTP8 Talent, Irina Verioti, Talent Acquisition Manager at Orange Romania. In this interview, Irina discusses remaining authentically true to herself, why we don’t have to make sacrifices to succeed professionally, and what we can all learn from children.

You have now been at Orange Romania for over fifteen years. Throughout your career, you have had many different roles, all within the HR field, and you are now Talent Acquisition Manager. Could you explain the evolution of your career and the path you took that led you to where you are now?

I applied to Orange Romania fora regional sales training role when I was still in university. For the first two years, I spent 90-95% of my time in training rooms, meeting our salespeople and discussing with them aspects related to sales interactions. These early years were tough, because I had to harmonise a full-time job, involving lots of business trips, with the last two years of university. But I survived and I fell in love with HR and with the telecommunications industry!

After a few years, I decided to apply internally for an HR business partner role. It wasn't a success on the first try. This negative answer was the first negative response that I had received and it was an important moment in my career. As you can imagine, as a trainer, you have to show that hold yourself in high esteem because there are always a lot of people looking at you and seeking to learn from you. You tend, at a certain point, especially when you're in your 20s, to lose contact with reality and with the things that you can do in other domains. Fortunately, one year later I got a business partner role, and, in fact, it was the most difficult career change I have ever experienced. Suddenly I was making unpopular decisions and even delivering bad news, when up until that point my only experience had been in the positive domain of learning and development. It also coincided with another important moment in my life – the moment when I learnt that I was going to become a mother. After three challenging months, I discovered that I could do the job and I even enjoyed being my authentic self and being transparent with colleagues around me.

After five years, I felt the need to explore the external market a little further, because as an HR VP, you are stuck a lot of time in internal procedures, and this can sometimes be a disadvantage. I knew that I could bring further value to my organisation if I could leverage the things that other companies on the market were doing. Overseeing recruitment and employer branding seemed like the logical next step for my career. Now, three years later, I can say that it was the best move that I could have made because it exposed me to the entire market. I am able to propose lots of ideas that we can implement ourselves or make even better because I have a lot of contact with the external market. Today I coordinate a team of 26 people, recruiters, employer branding specialists, and it's both exciting and challenging to do this every day.

Looking back on your career, is there anything that you wish you had known when you were just starting out?

When I was in my 20s, I used to think that having a successful career and being in senior management positions involved sacrificing other aspects of your life. I put a lot of pressure on myself. Most probably, Irina in her 20s would have said that having a career was the most important thing to strive for, above and beyond having a thriving personal life. But now, I know that you can have both.

Another important thing that I wish I had known back then is that being successful is not about status or job titles. For me now, being successful in your career is about having a role in an organisation where you see your values represented and where your skills are best used. If you bring added value, then the organisation you work for should not ask you to make sacrifices. If it does, then it is probably not the place for you. What is important is to find a place where you can be yourself, and where you can integrate and harmonise all the other roles that we as women have. It shouldn’t feel like a sacrifice.

Being successful in your career is having a role in an organisation where see your values represented and where your skills are best used.

Could you elaborate on the projects you are currently working on and what your daily work life looks like?

It depends on the day! Our organisation is currently undergoing a huge M&A process, integrating another company that Orange Romania has acquired, and I'm heavily involved in this process. There are a lot of cultural challenges to overcome, which is normal when you're trying to harmonise two huge companies and build a new culture around two different organisations. Aside from that, my day-to-day life and my main professional activity revolves around recruitment and employer branding. What I love the most about it is the fact that I often feel, during the same workday, that I work in three or four different domains. I get to find out many things about different industries, companies and organisations.

Of course, a lot of time in my daily work is dedicated to my team. I try to be there for them authentically, in any way that they need. They are all amazing, dedicated professionals and the time that we spend together is not only about KPIs, closed processes and things like that. We are trying to be there for each other as human beings and to be aware of the struggles that each of us is having. They do the same thing for me; I also need their support.

You have described training as your “first HR love.” What is it about training that you enjoy so much and why is it important for companies to provide quality training for their staff?

When I first delivered a training session, I knew that this was what I wanted to do. Talking to people made me extremely nervous and, despite having delivered hundreds of hours of training, I'm still nervous when talking to other people. But, for me, emotions and being nervous before important moments is positive because it signals that what I am doing is important.

With training, what I love so much is the fact that it is a continuous learning process, even for the trainer. This learning process creates such a strong bond that, once the learning process is stirred, it is impossible for the trainer or educator not to want to learn. The interaction between learner and trainer is a powerful one that is difficult to replicate in any other context. Every day that I spent as a trainer brought new insights and learning experiences for me, because I would meet many different people and have lots of deep and authentic exchanges with them.

For me emotions and being nervous before important moments is positive because it signals that what I am doing is important.

Your career trajectory has been about discovering people. What kind of people are you looking to discover?

When you love people as much as I do, there are simply no boundaries. The more different a person is from me, the more relevant and insightful it is to learn from them. I just love to discover people as they are without ever judging. I'm extremely sociable, and I like to discover stories of all the people around me. There is something to be learned from anyone who you meet, in any context.

In the last years, I must admit that I have become particularly keen on discovering children. They are innocent, pure and intrinsically intelligent. They don't have any stereotypes, any preconceptions, any ideas that we, as adults, tend to impose with our rational side. We could learn a lot from children about connecting to each other, emotionally from human to human, from heart to heart, without any social barriers.

The more different a person is from me, the more relevant and insightful it is to learn from them.

As a participant in the 8th cohort of the WTP Programme, have you gained any insights that you find to be particularly valuable?

I'm truly honoured to be part of this amazing group. One of the most important things that I've discovered so far is that I am not the only one dealing with the challenges that stem from the complexity and multiplicity of roles fulfilled by women, and this has been extremely comforting. We are also facing the same hurdles, the same difficulties, and whenever you are faced with a challenge you can gain a great deal by talking about it and leveraging the conclusions that you come to with others.

What I love about this programme is the fact that it combines theoretical knowledge through training sessions that you can use at your office and really apply, with more insightful interventions and exchanges that make you deep dive into your feelings, your behaviors, and the way you position yourself in different situations.

We are also facing the same hurdles, the same difficulties, and whenever you are faced with a challenge you can gain a great deal by talking about it and leveraging the conclusions that you come to with others.

Ending with a question from the Proust Questionnaire: what do you consider your greatest achievement? This achievement can be professional, personal, or both.

That's a tough one, because there are a lot of things that I'm particularly proud of from my career and my personal life. What I would underline is the fact that there is not one single thing that I'm proud of that was done 100% thanks to myself alone. It's always about being part of a great team and, fortunately, I'm part of multiple great teams, which include my manager, my peers, and my amazing talent acquisition team. In my personal life, too, I have the greatest teammate that any woman could wish for in my husband.

The thing that gives me the most comfort is the fact that I have managed to stay true to myself and to resist the temptation to put on masks, even though in some contexts it may seem like the easiest choice is to put on a mask and deliver to the audience the exact image they wish to see. In all the roles I have had I have been myself and stuck to my values. I couldn't even imagine how much energy I would have wasted by putting on a different mask every time and trying to think, “Okay, who am I interacting with now? What should I say, what should I do?” I would have wasted probably 90% of my energy and nothing else would have been left!

I have managed to stay true to myself and to resist the temptation to put on masks, even though in some contexts it may seem like the easiest choice is to put on a mask and deliver to the audience the exact image they wish to see.

Video edited by Juliette Travaillé

Interviewed by Marella Ricketts

Meet WTP8 Talent Gitanjali Roche, Digital Communications Manager for Advancement at INSEAD. Gitanjali opens our eyes to the beauty of storytelling, sharing with us what she loves about working in communications, how she overcame career pivots and challenges, and why it is important to hold on to your passions.

Your LinkedIn profile states that you studied social and culinary anthropology, and prior to working at INSEAD you spent several years building your business as a communications consultant in food and wine. Can you tell us more about how this interest of yours started when you were younger? How did this turn into a job working in communications at INSEAD?

To explain this to you, I’ll have to share a bit of my background. My father is from India and my mother is Syrian-Armenian. I was born in the United States and when I was eight, we moved to Greece. Having this mixed background definitely contributed to my passion for food. I always wanted to help my mother or father in the kitchen, and I always had a lot of questions about what they were cooking.

It never occurred to me that I could actually study food until I did my bachelor’s degree in anthropology and sociology. In our first year at the University of Utrecht, we had to take classes across all sectors first to find out on which areas we really wanted to focus. It was interesting, but I remember afterwards telling my advisor, who was an anthropology professor, that I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. She told me to go home, look at all the books I had on my shelf, and to come back to her with their common subject. I had a lot of cookbooks and novels about food. When I told her this, she suggested that I study culinary anthropology. I didn’t even know before that it existed!

I remember telling my advisor, an anthropology professor, that I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. She told me to go home, look at all the books I had on my shelf, and to come back with her with their common subject.

So that’s exactly what I did: I studied sociology and anthropology but through a culinary lens, which is exploring what, how, and why we eat certain things. After my bachelor’s, I moved to Paris and did a master’s in the same topic at EHESS then went to a cooking school called FERRANDI Paris. Currently, I am doing my wine training, studying for the WSET 3 certification. I think that it’s important to complement the theoretical with the practical.

To answer your question about how it turned into working at INSEAD: after graduating I embarked on a couple of projects, including doing freelance work as a communications consultant for food and wine brands, and I also started my own company. I was the COO of a startup called OpenKitchen, where we organised culinary immersions in restaurants with chefs. Anyone passionate about food could go into the kitchen and see how they do the mise en place before the dishes are served in the dining room. Things were going well until COVID-19 hit. My clients, who were mainly restaurants, had to close for a year and a half. I tried to keep my company going, but we had no idea about how the coronavirus would evolve, so I ended up closing it. Just as I was trying to come to terms with this, I saw my current position at INSEAD advertised and I saw that it was everything I had been doing for my clients: social media, content creation, writing articles, event coverage, but for higher education. The great thing about doing digital communication is that you can pivot from one sector to another, as I have managed to do.

As the current Digital Communications Manager for Advancement at INSEAD, what is a day in the life for you like? How do you balance this with other things that you are working on such as preparing for your WSET 3 wine exam?

I am part of the Advancement Communications team, which is involved with alumni and fundraising for INSEAD. My day to day, which can be very varied, involves working on a lot of event comms, whether it be for an alumni reunion, the alumni forum that we host around the world, or Global INSEAD day. I also create a great deal of content. There is the day-to-day social media management where we promote articles about different topics, such as about the school and about what our alumni are up to. Since our target audience is INSEAD alumni, the objective is to keep them engaged and connected to their time at the school. I also work with digital ambassadors to amplify events, webinars and other initiatives.

As you mentioned, in my free time, I am studying for the WSET 3, which is the exam for an internationally renowned qualification in wine training. I admit that it is a bit challenging preparing for this when working full time! I am a year and a half in and have made good progress at balancing my passion project with day-to-day work. I’m preparing remotely now for the exam, which involves a lot of memorising and a lot of tasting. It’s a good excuse at night to open a bottle of wine at the end of the working day!

What was a career challenge that you had encountered and how did you overcome this? Was it difficult to shift from the culinary industry to education?

I encountered two difficult career challenges over the last few years. The first would be, as I mentioned earlier, closing my own company and letting go of being my own boss. What was hard for me when we decided to close OpenKitchen was that we had a lot of amazing chefs who wanted to continue, asking us to figure out a way to host people in their kitchens and share their love for food. It was a difficult decision because in a way, it was my dream job.

The second challenge was transitioning to a different sector; or, more specifically, making the decision to no longer be self-employed and go into a full-time job in a different sector. The academic sector is very different, and I felt clueless in the beginning. But I am also very curious, and I read a lot. I tried to apply the skills that I had acquired earlier to this challenge. During my career transition, I kept telling myself: You just have to do it. What I learned is that you have to go with the flow, especially during a period like the COVID-19 pandemic. In the end, I was happy that I made this decision as it would have been more difficult to push and try to make my company survive. I jumped into my role at INSEAD headfirst, hoping that things would turn out okay, and it has!

The sector change has indeed been a big learning curve. But what I insisted on from the start was continuing to develop my hobbies on the side. Learning and developing new skills is what keeps me going. During times when there is drastic change, it is important to hold on to things that are important to you, things that remind you who you are. It gives you the energy to keep moving in the right direction. In the end, you learn things about yourself and surprise yourself with things that you didn’t know you could do.

During times when there is drastic change, it is important to hold on to things that are important to you, things that remind you who you are. It gives you the energy to keep going in the right direction.

As someone with many passions, and who has had experience across several industries, how do you tie these things together? Looking at your career from a larger perspective, what drives you the most?

I think communication or “storytelling”, is really my thing, and I discovered this thanks to my interest in food. At school, I studied the stories that food tells us: from how we eat, what food says about us and our backgrounds. It’s the story behind it that I find so interesting and this is what made me realise that communication is the place for me. I have also been immersed in different cultures and languages growing up and this has made me communicative in nature. Communication is about seeing the story behind things and figuring out how you can share it in a way that will resonate with people.

What motivated you to apply for WIL’s WTP Programme? I know you’ve only been in the programme for a few months, but are there any take aways that have already made an impact on you?

What motivated me was the emphasis on women supporting other women. I was freelance for a few years and so I lacked a strong personal-professional network, and this aspect really drew me to the programme. From the sessions and discussions so far, I can already see the sincerity that the women here have when it comes to helping each other, and the idea of a more caring, helpful, supportive approach really appealed to me. It has been interesting to meet people from different backgrounds. We all come from different sectors but many of the questions and the problems seem to be the same. It is refreshing to see that despite having different ages, backgrounds, cultures, and sectors, women are really looking for the same type of connection and support with each other.

It has been interesting to meet people from different backgrounds. We come from different sectors but many of the questions and the problems seem to be the same. It’s refreshing to see that despite having different ages, backgrounds, cultures, and sectors, women are really looking for the same type of connection and support with each other.

Your work certainly requires you to be creative. Where do you find your inspiration?

Social media! It’s my job to consume a lot of it, but I try to do it in moderation, of course. There is just so much inspiring content online, offering different formats and different ways to engage with people to tell a story. I am constantly inspired. Whether it be Instagram or TikTok or LinkedIn, it is very cool to see how people use different mediums creatively.

As an avid food blogger, if you could eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Anything spicy! I’m one of those people who always has chili pepper in their purse. It is difficult to name a dish in particular, but I wouldn’t be able to live without spice.

Video edited by Juliette Travaillé