Women in technology and operations at Orange Business: their testimonials

Global Delivery and Operations is the worldwide operational branch of Orange Business. With 9,000+ skilled employees in 56 countries, Global Delivery and Operations sources, builds and operates global capabilities in an innovative, efficient and responsible way, ensuring a seamless customer experience.

Discover the diversity of skills, experiences and multiple perspectives that our "Global Delivery and Operations Women in Tech" bring to their roles, generating value creation for the benefit of our customers, colleagues, company, and society in general. Such a great panel of role models and mentors to inspire and motivate colleagues, both female and male, to lead the future.

Let’s meet our talent working in Global Delivery and Operations at Orange Business:

Question: What inspired you to join Orange?

[Deneen Goddard]: Having a background in hospitality and technology, I wanted to be part of a dynamic and innovative international IT organization that would allow me to work on complex projects while delivering the best possible customer service. Over the past 28 years, I have had an amazing opportunity to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures while developing my global business acumen. This experience has been instrumental in my overall growth as a person, as I have gained perspective, empathy and a better understanding of the world.

Question: What's the most valuable advice you can pass on to anyone, especially women trying to establish their careers?

[Deneen Goddard]:

• Build strong relationships in the industry, find mentors that will help you create a professional network and stay informed on the latest trends and developments
• Invest in yourself. Continuing education, professional development courses, and certifications are all great ways to invest in yourself and your career
• Develop cross-cultural understanding. Understanding different cultures, languages and customs is essential for successful operations internationally
• Stay organized and focused. Being organized and focused on your work will help you stay on track in your career and ensure that you are prepared for any challenges that may arise
• Maintain a positive attitude. Having a positive attitude and outlook can help you stay motivated and focused on achieving your goals

Question: Do you think there's a stereotype attached to jobs in IT/telco?

[Deneen Goddard]: There is a long-standing perception that technology is a male-dominated field. Women have traditionally been seen as less capable than men regarding technical skills, leading to gender imbalance in the industry. Although the gap in the industry is slowly closing, these stereotypes remain an issue. Historically, some have argued that the IT industry has an unwelcoming culture for women, with few female role models to look up to. So, it is reassuring that Orange is actively supporting initiatives to reduce gender disparities by introducing a range of measures, including training and development programs to help women progress in their careers, flexible working to support better work-life balance and initiatives to increase the number of women in senior positions.

Question: On International Women's Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young people thinking about their careers?

[Deneen Goddard]: Create a vision for yourself as you start your professional life. Knowing what you want to achieve and setting your goals can help you stay motivated and on track. Your vision should be detailed and precise and include short-term and long-term objectives. A vision will help you focus on the tasks and activities necessary to reach your goals. Also, believe in yourself, have confidence in your abilities and never be afraid to take risks. Finally, don't let gender, race, or any other obstacle stand in your way. You have the power to create your own success and achieve your goals, so never give up on yourself.

Question: What inspired you to join Orange?

[Maya Hodeib]: I Joined Orange Business in Cairo in January 2008. To me as an engineer, it was an opportunity to join an exciting, fast-moving and advanced telecom and technology company that encourages learning and growth, respects all kind of diversity, values its customers and employees, and of course, empowers women to pursue their passion in their careers, specifically in tech.

Question: What's the most valuable advice you can pass on to anyone, especially women trying to establish their careers?

[Maya Hodeib]: Never think about yourself as a woman, but rather as a passionate engineer / doctor / teacher / marketeer, etc. Expect criticism, but turn it into opportunities to learn and grow.

Question: Do you think there's a stereotype attached to jobs in IT/telco?

[Maya Hodeib]: Yes, some people still believe that IT, telco and technology jobs are for men, but it is not the case. And it is well proven in Orange. For example, in my current team in Cairo, where telecoms is our core business, we are at 70% women to 30% men.

Question: On International Women's Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young people thinking about their careers?

[Maya Hodeib]: The future depends on young generations. I am looking for a future world where we do not need to speak about equity, parity and female empowerment because we are already there, and that is our DNA. Do not limit your career capabilities based on your gender, culture or background. Work hard, keep learning and create opportunities once you find your way to shine.

Question: What inspired you to join Orange?

[Marie Sigier]: I joined Orange in 1997. What I most appreciate about Orange is the global diversity of my ecosystem. I join meetings daily with people from literally all around the world. As a result, I can work with very different profiles and cultures, generally with strong expertise and on new innovative domains. My whole career has been spent within Orange group because I was able to evolve from one position to another and never lose my motivation.

Question: What's the most valuable advice you can pass on to anyone, especially women trying to establish their careers?

[Marie Sigier]: Don't focus on others' opinions; just follow your path. Yes, the career path you want to take is possible even if you don't have close examples of people (women) managing that kind of job/position. And open your mind to new domains, job roles and professions: don't replicate what you see around you.

Question: Do you think there's a stereotype attached to jobs in IT/telco?

[Marie Sigier]: IT/telco jobs can be seen as male dominated, and we still need more women in our teams. Of course, there is no reason for that; the reason may be that female candidates are apprehensive about applying if there is no female representation in a domain/team. It can also be related to the very low number of female students choosing tech topics in university.

Question: On International Women's Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young people thinking about their careers?

[Marie Sigier]:

• It's time to take risks and be bold
• Don't wait to be 100% qualified before you apply for a new position. Just take your chance, and you will be surprised by how efficient you can be
• Be yourself; yes, you are different and unique. This is what is interesting for any manager or company

Question: What inspired you to join Orange?

[Sonia Luximon]: My first steps in the professional world began in the hotel sector, where I discovered the importance of delivering a service of excellence to customers. After some years, I seized the opportunity to embrace a career in the IT sector for a French company as a Service Manager, and that's when I fell in love with this field. A few years later, I was given the opportunity to grow at the management level. Having worked there for ten years, I thought it was the right time to take a step ahead professionally, and what enterprise could be better for that than Orange Business, which is listed as one of the top places to work with great values and vision?

The work culture and passion for innovation, which drives the workforce, has always had a good impression on my professional journey. Helping other people learn new things and expand their knowledge has always been my passion, and I can also see myself growing professionally.

Question: What's the most valuable advice you can pass on to anyone, especially women trying to establish their careers?

[Sonia Luximon]: Doing the job you love and being confident about your capability and ability to do it well. Doing what you love and staying close to your strengths produces the best results in your work and personal life. Success can be both professional and personal, and we can do it.

Question: Do you think there's a stereotype attached to jobs in IT/telco?

[Sonia Luximon]: I've always believed everyone should have equal opportunities. I believe in diversity. I appreciate working with other people, regardless of gender; both have their qualities. Connective leadership remains essential and relevant in times of continuous change.

Question: On International Women's Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young people thinking about their careers?

[Sonia Luximon]: Choose a profession you are passionate about, and be honest and explicit about what you want and feel. If you want things to change, you must actively address and talk about them. We need to take the initiative and manage the balance between work and personal life. Set your own agenda and be clear about it to carry it with pride. Mistakes will happen to everybody – they should be a valuable source of learning that enriches your life.

Question: What inspired you to join Orange?

[Daniela Ferreira]: I joined Orange 24 years ago, and I was really motivated by the fact that I could talk with people from different cultures daily. Since the first day, I have been very impressed with the people I met in this company. Everyone was very supportive, and I could experience an excellent environment, which still keeps me in this company.

Question: What's the most valuable advice you can pass on to anyone, especially women trying to establish their careers?

[Daniela Ferreira]: It is important to have a good background, prepare and study (university + foreign language). Especially when you are young, be dedicated to your job and education. Our life is made of cycles, and stagnation won't lead to success; but on the other hand, we also need to be vigilant and have a healthy balance with our private life (family, leisure, spirituality, etc.). Not an easy task.

Question: Do you think there's a stereotype attached to jobs in IT/telco?

[Daniela Ferreira]: In the past, we could see a significant number of men in this area, but this is definitely changing. So, my answer is no.

Question: On International Women's Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young people thinking about their careers?

[Daniela Ferreira]: More than ever, we see breakthroughs in technology, so we must expect that future jobs will require more and more knowledge in the tech field. Where will women be in this environment if we do not start now?

Also, women don't have to try to be men in this field; we have excellent complementary skills. There is a quote that I really like which says: "By living up to their calling, women will succeed in guaranteeing a proper recognition of the unique value of femininity and its crucial mission in the world." – Alice Von Hildebrand.

Question: What inspired you to join Orange?

[Fatiha Bara Kemmache]: I was first attracted by the purpose of Orange to connect people globally and build bridges between them thanks to ever-evolving technologies. I fondly remember waiting for my grandparents' calls and talking to them using a rotary phone. They lived in the mountains in Algeria and had to walk one hour to get to the closest PTT office to call us, so it was always a big event. Then, during my studies, I got a student job opportunity at Orange and worked as a desk agent at BtoC Customer Service Desk. It gave me an outlook on Orange values (care, diversity, daring, openness). I felt like Orange was an innovative company offering learning and growth opportunities, so I applied to the Graduate Program.

Question: What's the most valuable advice you can pass on to anyone, especially women trying to establish their careers?

[Fatiha Bara Kemmache]: Develop your self-awareness: know your values, strengths, needs and motivation drivers, and build on them to grow. This is the best way to ensure you align your career with who you are and make it meaningful. Identify also one or two development areas and apply the famous advice of Eleanor Roosevelt, "Do something that scares you every day," about them. Usually, what scares me is also what speaks to me and piques my curiosity. By following what scares me, I discover I can test, experience, learn, grow, develop, extend my comfort zone and gain confidence.

Question: Do you think there's a stereotype attached to jobs in IT/telco?

[Fatiha Bara Kemmache]: I am curious; I love technology and innovation, so I had never thought of IT/telco as a man's world. Ada Lovelace was the first computer programmer, the cable girls were also key assets in the telecommunications revolution, and there are many examples of women in the IT and telco industry throughout history until today. But it's true that "women in IT/telco" stories used to be less represented. However, we are progressing, and we all have a responsibility, individually and as a society, to ensure we promote female role models to show that girls can follow carrier paths in IT and telco.

I have a son and a daughter, and I am also keen on educating them about stereotypes. We practice together by speaking about stereotypes we see, in real life, on TV, in movies and in advertising. Being able to notice stereotypes is the first step to acknowledging their existence and not letting them guide our actions and decisions.

Question: On International Women's Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young people thinking about their careers?

[Fatiha Bara Kemmache]: Follow your intuition and your curiosity. Don't limit yourself to what others expect from you. Instead, choose a career path aligned with your values and sparks joy for you.

Recommended for you

• Why the future of digital technology needs more women
• Closing the gender gap in technology
• 24 hours with … Get a glimpse of our day at work