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Elisabeth Eude, Digital Woman and StrongHer volunteer

22 Sep 2017
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Femmes du Numérique:To begin with, what is your definition of “digital”?

Elisabeth Eude:Digital is everything to do with computer code and networks. But it’s also a state of mind and a culture that goes with it: a spirit of collaboration, sharing and openness.

Women, an opportunity for digital. Digital, an opportunity for women. What do you think about it? Why did you choose this sector? What kind of digital job do you do?

I’m currently director of the Alcatel-Lucent Foundation, which works on digital education and innovation for young people. I’ve done a variety of jobs in this sector, from systems validation and participation in standardization committees, to project management in mobile networks, product management and strategy consulting. It’s an exciting and extremely varied sector, in which there are too few women. Digital technology now cuts across almost every field of activity, so it’s an opportunity for everyone. Women must not be excluded (or see it as an option for them). On the other hand, a European Union study published last year anticipates a shortage of ICT specialists by 2020, so we need more girls choosing these fields if we are to continue the sector’s growth. We can’t afford to miss out on this talent!

In addition to your professional activity, you are also involved in social and humanitarian work on a voluntary basis. How do you reconcile the two? Does it contribute to your balance?

Let’s face it, it takes up a lot of my time, evenings and weekends. But I really feel the need to get involved to make things happen. I can’t just sit back and complain or criticize a situation I don’t like, I prefer to take action. On the other hand, it has enabled me to learn a lot and use skills and abilities I didn’t know I had!

Tell us about the association you’re involved with. What does it do? What is your mission?

I founded the StrongHer network with 5 other colleagues in 2011, a network of Alcatel-Lucent employees working to promote gender diversity within the company, to let female talent unleash its full potential. I set up the first branch of the network 4 years ago, but as the network has grown (it now has over 1,200 members in 50 countries), I left this activity and am now a member of the central board in charge of running the program.

How do you defend gender equality in your professional, personal and community life?

This is exactly StrongHer’s mission. We take action on 3 levels: 1- raising awareness of the stereotypes and models that society sends us and that unconsciously limit the roles and life choices for young girls (and boys too), 2- developing assertiveness and visibility for women to help them move into key positions, 3- developing each person’s professional network and exchanging best practices with other companies, particularly those in the ICT sector.

I’m also very proud that StrongHer signed a collaboration agreement with UNESCO on this subject last October, and received the GEM-TECH Global Achiever award given by the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) and UN Women for our actions in favor of gender equality in ICT. On a personal note, my husband and I are keen to ensure that our 2 young children (one boy and one girl) can freely express their choices (of activities, games, etc.) according to their personal tastes and regardless of their gender. But I can see the extent to which the images society projects to them influence and build up preconceptions about the way they perceive their role as boys or girls, despite our vigilance! There’s still a lot to be done!

What advice would you give to a young woman hesitating to work or set up a business in the digital sector?

Trust yourself, and go for it!

Biography

With 14 years’ experience in telecommunications, Elisabeth EUDE is a respected, dynamic and highly innovative leader within Alcatel-Lucent.

Since February 2014, she has been the Director of the Alcatel-Lucent Foundation, where she launched a new focus to prepare young people to participate and innovate in the digital world, illustrating the technological grounding and innovation that are at the heart of Alcatel-Lucent.

Prior to joining the Foundation, she was a strategist on the corporate strategy team. Prior to that, she held various positions, including product and project manager in several Alcatel-Lucent business units. She is also an intrapreneur, and is the driving force behind 2 projects developed in-house: “Campus in the Cloud” an educational content platform, and StrongHer, a major employee network to promote and inspire diversity in the ICT sector.

Elisabeth holds an engineering degree in materials physics and optoelectronics from INSA and the University of Strathclyde in the UK. She also trained in management at EM Lyon and SDA Bocconi in Italy.