Gaëlle Boulais-Dupas

What motivated you to become a leader within your organization/community?

I didn’t set out to become a leader. It happened naturally over time.

In projects, I often found myself bringing structure, clarifying what needed to be done, and helping teams move forward. Over time, people started coming to me for input and direction.

At some point, I realized that this came with responsibility - and that’s when I chose to step into a more formal leadership role. Not for the title, but to better support teams and help drive progress.

How do you inspire others?

I believe clarity can be incredibly  inspiring.

For me, it’s about making the benefits clear and painting a concrete path to get there. That means setting clear goals, breaking things down into actionable steps, and making sure people understand the value of what they are working on.

I also make sure there is regular communication along the way, so people feel aligned and supported.. When things are clear and structured, people naturally engage more and feel empowered to contribute.

What is the greatest piece of business advice you have received from a mentor/sponsor?

Don’t assume - ask questions.

It’s simple, but I use it every day.

Asking questions avoids misunderstandings, helps build stronger relationships, and leads to better decisions.. In complex environments, curiosity is one of the most valuable leadership skills.

What you’re currently working on to complement your main job or enhance your skillset

Right now, I’m focusing on change management, especially in the context of digital and AI.

What I’ve seen in practice is that technology is rarely the main challenge – adoption is. . If people don’t understand it, trust it, or see the value, nothing really moves.

So I’m working on how we support that: how we communicate change, how we engage teams, and. help new ways of working become sustainable and create lasting impact.