“I’m a strong believer in standing up for what you believe in”

Born and raised in Brussels, of Moroccan origins, Sarah Bouzzaouit joined Accenture in 2016 where she is a Business & Integration Architecture Team Lead

Anyone who knows me, will know that I’m not one to shy away from a fight. I’m not talking about a real physical fight, although I’ve been boxing for many years! I’m a strong believer in standing up for what you believe in, even if you feel everyone else is against you. As a kid, I stood up for anyone I felt was being unfairly treated. It’s my nature, so my childhood dream was to become a lawyer. In the end, learning by heart wasn’t my thing. My love for math and science took me in another direction and I chose to study Business Engineering at Solvay Business School.

I’ve always known I was strong-willed. But looking back at my career so far makes me realize how driven I really am. We all face setbacks from time to time, but it’s how we come out of those setbacks that defines who we are. I’ve learned to be even more confident at Accenture and to never apologize for who I am and what I stand for.

We’re constantly exposed to new technologies, strategies and ways of working. It’s the perfect environment for anyone who thirsts for knowledge. Of course, the people and the work we do on a daily basis also played a major role in my choice. I’m surrounded by extremely talented, diverse and outspoken colleagues who are just as driven as me.

We’re encouraged to challenge the status-quo. This is in the Accenture DNA. Every idea, however small, can blossom into something wonderful with tremendous impact. Every project is authentic. No solution is the same. We really try to create tailor-made solutions for our clients, because they are not the same. We help them to shape their strategy and define where they want to go, and we support them through all the changes required to get there. I get the most pleasure from being at the epicenter of those changes. The magic happens outside of your comfort zone.

But we definitely need more female superheroes! In the technology world, the stereotypical idea that you have to be a man to be successful still lingers. So I’ve launched personal development programs for young analysts at Accenture, especially female analysts.

I would love to share an Ethiopian meal with some delicious injera around a big table with inspiring advocates of equality such as Martin Luther King or Nelson Mandela. I was lucky to spend some months in South Africa a few years back, and the history of that place has never left me. We may have witnessed tremendous changes in recent decades in terms of inclusion & diversity, but sadly we cannot say that we have reached complete equality all over the world.

I believe that we can make the world a better place. It’s our responsibility. We need to take matters into our own hands and basically be the change we want to see happening. A good example is this pandemic, which has been one of the greatest challenges I’ve faced so far. Some of us have lost loved ones, others have lost their jobs or their business. It has been an incredibly difficult period for everyone. However, it has also showed us how resilient and agile we are and how quickly we can adapt to a new, although unwelcome, situation.

I hope the world will drastically change for the better in the coming decades and evolve into something completely different. I enjoy working for a company that embraces change, and together with our clients, tries to turn it into something positive. It’s not always plain sailing, but staying focused, keeping the target in sight, makes it easier.

You only truly grasp the value of your loved ones once they are gone. Being at home, surrounded by family and friends is essential for my wellbeing. I try to cherish every moment.