Christine Boukhari Dutrey, Digital Woman and Christeam volunteer
Femmes du Numérique:To begin with, what is your definition of “digital”?
Christine Boukhari Dutrey:Digital is the field that encompasses information technology and telecommunications, as well as the Internet.
FDN:Women, an opportunity for digital. Digital, an opportunity for women. What’s your opinion? Why did you choose this sector? What kind of digital job do you do?
CBD :A woman’s point of view can be different from that of a man. If I take the ergonomics of applications as an example, women can have a more practical, pragmatic vision.Lawife touch allowsus to be closer to the user’s needs.
Digital technology is a decentralized way of working and producing information. It enables people to organize their work and their lives. It abolishes the boundary between private and professional life, enabling working women to better organize their lives.
After high school, I chose to study computer science at university. I really enjoyed the logic of IT in design and development. After that, I moved into a position as MOA project manager. It’s a key position at the crossroads of user and IT needs, and involves “translating” user needs into IT requirements.
FDN: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?
CBD:The key to reconciling the two is organization. I’m used to saying that I manage my life by multi-projecting.
New technologies, and in particular a good smartphone, make it possible to do a lot of things on the move. I can write an article for my blog from my smartphone while waiting for the metro. It’s part of my equilibrium, because it opens me up to others and allows me to get involved in actions aimed at others.
FDN:Tell us about the association you’re involved with. What does it do? What is your mission?
CBD:The association I created is called Christeam, and its aim is to help other associations, such as the Association les Enfants du désert, which works for children in south-east Morocco.
In 2014, it sponsored two young girls, Latifa and Nissrine, enabling them to pursue their schooling more serenely. In 2015, the association will finance a project to create a multimedia room in a school in south-east Morocco. I’m the president, raising funds and traveling to Morocco to meet the godchildren and see how the project is progressing.
FDN:How do you defend gender equality in your professional, personal and community life?
CBD:As a business owner, I am committed to equal pay and equal treatment for men and women. In my personal life, I show through my energy and activities that I have my place.
In October 2014, I set off to do the Roses des Sables rally, 7,000 kilometers in a 4×4 from Paris to the southern desert; also a way of showing that women can achieve great things even in a sport usually reserved for men.
FDN:What advice would you give to a young woman hesitating to work or start a business in the digital sector?
CBD:Women have a role to play in the digital sector, bringing qualities or points of view that men don’t have or have less of. Don’t be afraid, have confidence in yourself! You (as a woman) have the qualities to succeed, and don’t hesitate to take risks.
Biography
My name is Christine Boukhari Dutrey, I’m 45 and the mother of two grown-up children.
After high school, I decided to study computer science. I didn’t know much about computers, because back then all we had was the Minitel. My father was curious about new technologies (at the time) and even if he wasn’t lucky enough to know that at 23 I was a computer engineer, I must have been influenced by his curiosity.
After two handsome boys and some experience as an IT project manager in the insurance industry, I decided in 2007 to go back to school and set up Cap Atlantic Consulting. I prepared an MBA in Business Management with a marketing option at ESG Paris. These studies enabled me to learn more about the world of business and marketing. In October 2007, I set up Cap Atlantic Consulting with my “husband’s partner”. At Cap Atlantic, I act as president, CFO and project manager. In addition to my management duties, I am in charge of the project management for Cap Atlantic Consulting’s clients.
Passionate about travel, in 2012 I created the social network for travelers, also available on IOS and Android. In 2015, following my participation in the 100% women’s Roses des Sables rally in 2014, I’m getting back into the adventure for 2016.
At the same time, I’m working on a project in partnership with the association Les enfants du désert, to build a multimedia classroom. I’m keen to help children in the desert gain access to digital technology.
- twitter:@christeam