Aja Barbo Gruden, Director of Customer Service and International Development, LE BHV MARAIS

I first arrived to Paris in 2007 to do a studying exchange while finishing my Masters in Journalism and French. Soon after moving there, I had the chance to meet a Franco-German couple who invited me to join them for a start-up adventure in Travel industry. I progressively learned the principles of international business, marketing and start-up methodologies, such as design thinking or scrum. These were one of the assets on my path towards larger corporations, currently going through a digital transformation. Two years later, I joined the Galeries Lafayette group, of which I am still part today. 

MY NEW JOB: If you are open to new challenges, if you dare to say it out loud and to the right people, being part of such an important group gives you many opportunities for professional and personal development. There were key people who listened to me and demonstrated their trust in me. One of them is the former CEO of the BHV MARAIS, Alexandre Liot, who believed I was able to create a department for international clients from scratch. The current CEO, Amandine De Souza, invited me to become a board member which is a great honour for me. In addition, I have just taken over Customer Service and its 50-member team. 

WHAT DOES PWN PROVIDES ME  WITH: I appreciate PWN for three reasons: exchanging opinions about current topics, meeting diverse profiles, and mentoring. For me, networking and strong relationships are extremely valuable. Many powerful women have left a strong influence on my professional life and I believe in the concept of reversed management. Finally, I’m a foreigner, fairly young and a woman. I have a lot to share and even more to learn.

WHAT DO YOU ADVISE TO WOMEN: Dare to always express your opinions, your desires, your ideas and needs.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aja-barbo-gruden/