Responsible Employer

All our Women In portraits!

Published on 03/03/2025

Women In is a series of portraits of women who, by way of their career path, personalities or commitments, are involved – with talent – in all areas of their company or even society at large. Although we celebrate women on 8 March every year, we felt it was important to devote a little more time and space to them before and after that symbolic date in order to highlight the diversity of their trajectories and emphasise the power of their impact on society.

 

Isabelle Deloeil Geraud

Women In… sustainable commitment

Isabelle: connecting people, acting locally

Portrait of Isabelle Deloeil Geraud, Director of SG SOCIETE GENERALE Ile-de-France Sud (French retail banking)

Isabelle Deloeil Geraud has had very different roles within Societe Generale: ten years in the French retail banking, working with customers, followed by ten years in central services, commercial management and support for SMEs, before returning to customer-facing roles, firstly in the regions and since January 2025 as Director of SG SOCIETE GENERALE Ile-de-France Sud. 

Isabelle, you have a very rich background; what drives you on a daily basis?

"Throughout my career, I have seized every opportunity. My motivation has always been to support clients and colleagues. I enjoy challenges and each experience has provided me with wonderful encounters in very different fields."

There is one issue that is close to your heart: CSR*. As Regional Director, how have you integrated these issues into your strategy?

"In my previous role as Director of SG SUD OUEST, my priority was to make 100% of our teams aware of the climate change issue and to support our clients in their environmental transition projects, in particular by developing dedicated financing.

Joining the Convention of Enterprises for Climate then allowed the Regional CSR Director and myself to define a clear roadmap, co-constructed with the support of other leaders, associations and local authorities, and to give meaning to our teams to engage them in the movement. This led to the creation of the BEE&S (Engaged, Ecological & Solidarity Business) CSR clubs, which aim to pool thinking, resources and networking on environmental and social issues.

Now, as Director of SG SOCIETE GENERALE Ile-de-France Sud, my intention is not to replicate this roadmap for the region, but to define one that corresponds to our teams, clients and partners, taking into account local realities."

You are also a member of the Board of Directors of the Societe Generale Foundation.

"Yes, I am. For me, the purpose of this foundation is not only to provide financial support for educational, cultural or environmental projects, but also to involve local employees through skills sponsorship.

We have launched an experiment in the context of regional calls for projects to support projects that promote education or inclusion in relation to environmental issues, such as a laundry service with limited water consumption. This experiment allows us to create synergies with local businesses such as hotels or campsites, which can lead to job creation in the long term.

I always involve clients, partners and colleagues in all my projects, and the Ile-de-France region's Institutional Business Centre, which supports associations, is a wonderful platform for this."

What do you think is the current state of gender equality in the banking sector? What progress has been made and what challenges remain?

"Diversity and inclusion need to be addressed comprehensively. With regard to women, female colleagues in Ile-de-France had the idea of creating the "To the Moon" project to prepare them for leadership roles by boosting their confidence, supporting their attitudes and opening up networks for them. I also mentor women; it is important to encourage them and help them articulate their ambitions.

Regulation drives change and allows us to monitor progress through various indicators. But there is still a long way to go and we will have succeeded when it is no longer an issue, no longer a term to be written on a slide."

* Corporate Social Responsibility.