Women are on the move at VINCI Concessions
Long-term performance is dependent on creating the conditions for professional equality and diversity. With this in mind, VINCI Concessions actively pursues a policy to increase the proportion of women in its workforce – particularly in technical professions – and improve female representation at all levels of management. In doing so, we are contributing to the target set by the VINCI Group in 2019 to double the number of women on the management and executive committees of the Group’s business lines and divisions by 2021.
With an overall score of 99 points out of 100 (equality index) for the year 2021, VINCI Concessions confirms its position as a company committed to professional equality between women and men, and reaffirms its desire to continue its actions in favour of gender equality, with particular attention paid to career development and equal pay.
VINCI Concessions’ action plan focuses on three priorities: supporting women in their careers in all of the 24 countries of the network, offer them opportunities for progression in line with their aspirations and attract more women to join the mobility sector.
Every year, on International Women’s Day, VINCI Concessions takes the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women and increase visibility of their fantastic careers – another way of helping forge gender equality. Last year has marked the launch of VINCI Concessions’ web series: “Women on the move” which objective it is to highlight inspiring career paths held by women within VINCI Concessions.This year, we have the honour to present the profile of women leading our operations as airport director across 4 continents, in the Dominican Republic, Brazil, the United States, in France, and in Cambodia.
Karen Strougo, CEO of Amazonia North Bloc airports, Brazil
“After leading our Peruvian subsidiary Pex, part of VINCI Highways network, I am now honoured to take over VINCI Airports’ new 7 airports in the Amazon region. A new role, in a new country – it is an exciting challenge for me. In this area in the north of Brazil, where there is immense human potential and local economic, societal and environmental opportunities, we have an impact that goes far beyond the region. I focus on upholding our model as an engaged employer and our unique capacity to help emerge new generations of committed and diverse leaders. These individuals will be our VINCI Concessions ambassadors for Positive Mobility.”
Mylène Leuly, Director of Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc airport, France
“After several years in the airline industry, in particular within the airline easyJet, I steered the organization set up for the delivery of the new Terminal 1 at Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport, which joined the VINCI Airports network in 2016. In 2019, I seized the opportunity to manage the Alpine airport of Chambéry Savoie Mont Blanc.
I felt the need and desire to work with a team of passionate people, well suited to manage the airport’s intense winter operations. The airport’s high seasonality makes it a real learning spot for operations management. We recruit around 250 temporary staff each year and train them for the season.
One of my key objectives on a daily basis is to maintain the quality of the customer experience and operational excellence in all circumstances. For me, this means being able to inspire young men and women from diverse backgrounds to discover the operational and technical professions in the aeronautical industry and to encourage them to take up a career.”
Elizabeth Brown, Director of Orlando Sanford International airport, USA
“The Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) in Florida represents VINCI Airports’ first investment in the United States, as well as one of the few examples of airport privatization and municipal partnership, in the US. When VINCI Airports acquired our group of airports in 2018, we were introduced to a company not only with excellence in airport operations, but also committed to diversity, equality and inclusiveness with an airport portfolio reaching across the globe. This commitment is evident not only from leadership at VINCI Airports headquarters, but throughout all of its companies across countries and cultures all over the world. With on-going support from VINCI Airports, my career continues to thrive in an environment of shared best practices and exchange of ideas across all of platforms ensures many opportunities for us to connect throughout the year in person and virtually. This approach will continue to serve VINCI Airports well as it expands its footprint in the United States and leads the airport industry in innovation, environmental stewardship and community partnership.”
Basma Jarbouai, Director of Grenoble Alpes Isère airport, France
“After several years in the airline industry, I joined VINCI Airports and began my career at Grenoble Alpes Isère airport as a gateway supervisor, then as a station manager before taking over the management of the hub in 2016. This new challenge was an opportunity for me to live my passion to the fullest and to pass it on to my teams. The health crisis and the urgent need to mobilize in the face of environmental issues have underlined the importance of everyone’s involvement in overcoming the current challenges. Together, we aim to achieve our objectives and sustain our activity as an airport operator. Each individual initiative contributes to enriching our global approach at VINCI Airports and to making even more ambitious commitments, as it is the case for the environment. I am proud to be part of a network that recognizes the determination and commitment of each individual, offering everyone opportunities for development with the aim of preparing the future and building an ever more positive mobility together.”
Laurence Erbs, General Manager of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap international airports, Cambodia
“At Cambodia Airports, I am continuing a legacy of women entrusted with top managerial responsibilities. After leading 3 airports in France, I had taken over the direction of Siem Reap Airport and, in less than one year, was also appointed General Manager of Phnom Penh Airport, the country’s busiest platform. This is a first in the history of our company, which has a long presence in Cambodia going back to 1995. My career path embodies the Positive Mobility approach that VINCI Airports has pushed for many years. My teams are full of promising talents unafraid of challenges ahead. And I want them to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by this trailblazing organization and to further contribute to its legacy.”
Monika Infante, CEO of AERODOM, Dominican Republic
“I have had the privilege of working for VINCI Airports as CEO of AERODOM – a company that manages six airports in the Dominican Republic – for 10 years now. When you are part of a network like VINCI Airports, you bet on and promote not only connectivity and economic development, but also sustainability. Thanks to the Group’s vision and trust, my status as a woman has never been an obstacle for carrying out my role. On the contrary, VINCI Airports has shown that it is in teams made up of people with diverse genders, professional experience and nationalities that the best ideas and the best results are achieved, always with the goal of Positive Mobility”.
