Women In…
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.
Women In… tech
Annie, a woman in IT
Portrait of Annie Abraham, GSC Director, Pricing and Risk Engines, GSC India
IT: a man’s world?
In this lively and engaging interview, Annie challenges the stereotypes associated with IT, asserting that this field is accessible to all, irrespective of gender. “You require logical and analytical manner and more brain power, and we are all blessed with that,” she notes.
From instrumentation engineering to IT, Annie has headed numerous international teams. She tells us about the various experiences that “formed the foundation of my career”. She recognises that while she has never been the victim of discrimination herself, she believes that “it’s something that needs to be watched”. Moreover, she says that, despite everything, she has “taken a lot of effort to make my own allies, friends, colleagues who support me”.
One woman, a thousand challenges
Annie shares her pride of having led ambitious projects such as “driving a large team, about 200 members, and trying to transform the entire landscape, which included more than 60 applications” despite having only limited experience in these areas. “Though I tried to limit myself, my leaders pushed me in saying that, no, you can do it.”, she explains.
Lastly, when we ask her what unexpected profession she could do, she replies – with humour – that she could see herself as “a midfielder in a hockey or football team”, thus illustrating her team spirit and her passion for strategy. Annie: a future champion?
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Women In… action
Create, mobilise, help!
Portrait of Adéa Guillot, Communication and Commitment Officer at CARE France.
She says herself, without any arrogance: “I know how to mobilise people”. Head of Communication and Commitment at CARE France, an NGO that has been working alongside the most vulnerable populations for 80 years, Adéa Guillot is a woman who has seen despair and heartbreak around the world at first hand, but talking with her paradoxically makes you optimistic. This aspirational woman triggers in others a lightbulb moment, a desire to get involved and take action. This charisma and leadership are valuable points of reference in this tipping point of our collective history.
“I’m 48 and have two children; for me, motherhood provides stability, balance. I’m happy to note that my children are curious about everything around them, to see them express their affiliation with the world. I feel that it is essential to train them as tomorrow’s citizens.
I’m from a little corner of Western France and had a complicated childhood. But I was fortunate enough to be helped by kind-hearted and benevolent adults, and in particular three history, French and philosophy teachers. They taught me universalism, sensitised me to equal rights, to living together as one world. As a teenager, I was very involved in human rights.
When I was 20, I became a journalist, it was my passion. I was a reporter for Le Monde newspaper and Arte TV channel, in the international departments. I travelled extensively in Southeast Asia and Africa. I focussed on the issue of genocides (Cambodia, Rwanda, South Africa) to try to understand how a people can tear themselves apart and then begin living together again. I worked a lot on this issue of living together again.I also investigated inequalities affecting women, notably in Cambodia where my first in-depth report, when I was 21, was on young girls who were victims of all kinds of trafficking. Since then, I’ve often sought to help people understand this disproportionality: girls and women are the first victims of inequalities. During the war in Syria, the return of the Taliban, I talked about the difficulty of the routes of exile for girls and women, who are still subject to violence and trafficking. I wanted to tell their stories, but also to put the spotlight on those who help them. Solidarity exists everywhere. It’s very powerful, it’s a great ray of light for fighting the world’s ills.
On the ground, I obviously met NGOs, and I found CARE to be one of the most conscientious organisations, because it uses local resources, expertise from local civil societies, rather than just parachuting in expats; the organisation has developed impressive know-how in mobilising women and girls to amplify communities.
Then, in 2018, following yet another tragedy on the beach of the island of Lesbos, where the drowned bodies of entire families fleeing war or poverty had washed up, I realised that talking was no longer enough; I joined CARE to create communities of people eager to help.
Societe Generale and CARE have worked together for several years now, and it’s a wonderful partnership, and that’s crucial today at a time when international solidarity is more important than ever”.
CARE is a long-standing partner of the Group, within the framework of its emergency policy, which enables it to contribute to international aid in the event of major humanitarian crises.
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Women In… data
Estella, a powerful voice challenging discrimination
Portrait of Estella Todjo, Regional Data Privacy Officer for Societe Generale Americas.
A voice against stereotypes
In this interview full of enthusiasm and commitment, Estella Todjo challenges gender stereotypes by stating that she is "living proof that women are as ambitious, or sometimes even more ambitious, than men." With an impressive background combining Law and Cybersecurity, Estella shares with us her unique experience and the challenges she has overcome as an African woman in a demanding professional environment.
Does prejudice against women still happen? “Unfortunately, it does still happen”. Estella's answer is unequivocal as she has experienced it herself. She talks about the "caution and hesitation" she notices when people approach her and encourages women to be "kind, friendly, and approachable, while remaining professional," because, she is sure, "actions will always speak much louder than words".
The power of perseverance
Her story, marked by the achievement of three Law degrees from three different countries while juggling work and family responsibilities, is a testament to resilience and determination. "It was incredibly difficult, but I persevered, and it ended in success," she says proudly.
Don’t miss this interview with someone who embodies perseverance and strength, and encourages us all to inspire the next generation. Watch the full video of Estella Todjo!