Being the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion leader for R&I in the APAC region really resonates with me, as diversity, equity and inclusion have always been values that have guided me—in my family, my education, and at work.
I grew up, studied and started my career in Paris. My parents are from the Islands and met in Paris while they were studying. Because of the diversity of their backgrounds, I grew up switching between French, Portuguese, English and German at home.
I have an older brother and sister, and growing up, there was definitely a sense of sibling rivalry. Both of them were high achievers academically, and for me, there was no way I was going to fall behind. We all went to almost the same schools, and the teachers knew us well, so they had high expectations of me. As a result, I had to work hard to excel—being top of my class from primary school all the way to high school, with wins in international competitions in maths, physics and literature.
After completing my baccalauréat and a scientific preparatory course, I enrolled at CentraleSupélec and later pursued business studies at ESCP Europe, focusing on finance and international management. So, I have dual training, in engineering and business. I also had the chance to enrich my education with an exchange programme at Columbia University in New York, where I studied "Sustainable Finance."
I began my career in infrastructure and industrial networks, providing integrated, diverse and innovative energy solutions—even some niche ones—for key players in the gas sector (LNG, H2, etc.) in production, distribution and networks.
I travelled extensively around the world, designing, negotiating, developing and leading projects both on land and offshore, juggling roles as an engineer, operations manager and business developer. I was involved in everything from design and mechanical or electrical studies to control, digital projects, modelling and simulation—often at a very detailed level. I also led diverse teams, managed international installations and represented the company on-site, particularly in areas of quality, safety, health and the environment. Achieving ISO certifications, as well as DNV and Bureau Veritas audits, were key milestones. I’ve had some memorable experiences, like working on boats in West Africa and on-site at minus 40°C in Alberta, Canada. I’ve had to manage all sorts of personalities, cultures and working styles, finding ways to make my voice heard and lead in challenging, competitive environments, while keeping the team spirit alive. For instance, on a particularly tough project in Corpus Christi (Texas), I organised a casual evening where we shared family recipes with the team. Everyone enjoyed it, we had some great conversations, and the next day, communication was much smoother!
Over time, I moved into senior management and business development roles, where my dual background allowed me to lead projects ranging from contract origination and strategy to team recruitment and training, as well as growing regional entities, handling negotiations, legal matters, contracts and commercial aspects. At the same time, I continued to focus on business development, often attending trade shows around the world, like Gastech, where I made the most of my knack for networking.
For one of my final assignments before joining ENGIE, I spent a year in Singapore managing a regional division and delivering a network project for the industry on Jurong Island—a world first. The project went really well, and when the time came to head back to Paris, I decided to stay in Singapore, driven by my strong desire to get more involved in the energy transition and decarbonisation.
The ENGIE R&I Lab Singapore was specifically looking for someone who could support the R&D teams with technical and operational expertise, project management and business development. They needed someone with a hands-on approach who could manage control installations or complex technical CAPEX projects, but also someone capable of identifying strategic partnership opportunities with local players, including industries, government agencies, universities and the real estate sector. The role also involved ensuring alignment between R&I and the business priorities of ENGIE’s operational units.
That’s been my main focus for the past two years, and we’ve had some great successes at the Lab Singapore. Last year, we launched one of our first innovative CAPEX projects in cooling networks — a big milestone for the Lab, executed smoothly, on time, within budget, and with a strong focus on safety. For this project, we took a One ENGIE approach: design by the Lab Singapore, support and review from ENGIE Southeast Asia, and EPC and Facility Management by ENGIE Services Singapore. We also signed some key strategic partnerships in APAC, bringing together government agencies, industries and universities. And we’re continuing to deliver added value and unique advantages to the GBUs, all while boosting ENGIE’s visibility.
I’m also the DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) leader for R&I in the APAC region. This mission really resonates with me, as diversity, equity and inclusion have always been values that have guided me—in my family, my education, and at work. It’s truly rewarding to see that at ENGIE, we’re making real progress in this area.
What excites me most is the opportunity to help others, contribute to the growth of the team and the organisation. I also enjoy the versatility, the expertise and the added value I can bring, offering a fresh perspective and a broader vision on various topics; in a way, it’s all about thinking outside the box.
I love leading, seeing things evolve and growing together as a team. Throughout my studies, fellow students often asked me for help, and I really enjoyed doing that. Passing on knowledge is important to me, which is why I’ve been involved in mentoring and teaching.
Other factors that make my role exciting include having an amazing manager (really!), the brilliant teams at Lab Singapore and ENGIE as a whole, unique demonstrators like REIDS-SPORE in Singapore, and the ENGIE culture in general.
The topics I work on are fascinating, whether it’s cooling systems, data centres, smart grids, hydrogen or low-carbon fuels!
Yes, I’ve been lucky enough to travel, and I’ve always loved discovering new ecosystems, different civilisations and cultures.
I enjoy travelling, but I also love sharing what I’ve learned. Passing on that knowledge is something that really enriches me.
One of my biggest passions is dance, which almost feels like a professional pursuit for me. I practice various styles, like Street Jazz, contemporary, and hip hop. I train regularly, take classes and perform—though I’m not into competing just yet. Dance gives me a way to stay active, but it’s also a form of emotional expression, a way to clear my mind, connect with others, and explore new things.
Sharing is important to me in general. Since I’m so passionate about what I do, I tend to blend work with my personal interests. Even on holiday, I’ll get involved in sustainability or energy discussions, and, if possible, I’ll add a diversity angle. Speaking at public events, like I did recently at Gastech, where I was on a strategic panel with NASA and other senior leaders, really prepares you for deeper leadership and strategic roles. It’s an opportunity for personal growth while having fun! I love quoting Brené Brown from her book Dare to Lead: “A leader is anyone who has a responsibility for recognising the potential in people and ideas and has the courage to develop that potential.”
Another passion of mine is fashion. It’s something that runs in the family and really developed during my time in Paris, a city where fashion is a big part of the culture and people are always talking about the latest trends.
Writing and music are other things I’m passionate about too.
What comes to mind is: “Always stay positive.”
It’s something that’s really important to me in both my personal and professional life—doing my best to see things from the best perspective, while staying realistic and keeping my feet on the ground. And as they say in Singlish, Singapore’s version of English, “CAN CAN!”—it’s all about believing that something is possible and achievable!
Yes, beyond my personal interest in this, it ties in with my work on partnerships with universities and academic institutions in Singapore. It’s really important to educate future leaders about sustainability. Our partners often ask for help in mobilising more female talent. They already have associations focused on getting women into scientific fields, but they’re looking for ways we can contribute at our level, whether through events, workshops, mentorships or internships.
I also contribute to this on a personal level by performing in dance events for associations, using hip hop as a way to connect, share and set an example. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution; I think it requires a mix of approaches.
And of course, it also connects to my role as the DEI leader for R&I in APAC.
Versatility (can can!)
Perseverance (can can!)
Enthusiasm (can can!)
