Women in Lighting: Christine Habashy
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
To mark this special day and month, we are shining a light on a few of the many wonderful women who work for Schréder worldwide, sharing their stories and what this day means to them.
Christine graduated from Alexandria University (Egypt) with a degree in Accounts in 2005. In 2010, she began her career at Schréder, working in Pricing & Costing at our office in Cairo.
In 2017, she took a leap of faith and moved to Dubai where she is the Supply Chain Manager for the entire region.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
Today in 2021, many countries and companies provide equal opportunities for females and males, so International Women’s Day is a good reminder of what has been achieved so far and what still needs to be achieved in other places that haven’t yet achieved this equality mindset.
We are lucky in Dubai that many organisations conduct special events to celebrate women empowerment. These events bring together women from across the world to share their ideas and thoughts in a cross-cultural dialogue and make the day that little bit more special.
Can you tell us about your background and your own role in Schréder?
I started my career in the lighting industry in 2005 after graduating from the University of Alexandria. I worked in Pricing & Costing before venturing to Logistics. I initially joined Schréder in 2010, as a Cost Estimator for Schréder Egypt, before being promoted to Logistics Manager.
In 2017, I took up the challenge of relocating to Dubai, to join Schréder Gulf and become the Supply Chain Manager for the region. It’s a fast-paced environment that requires great problem-solving skills to negotiate solutions. As you can imagine, the past year with the Covid-19 pandemic has brought more than its fair share of problems, but I love that there is never a dull moment!
What do you think we can be doing to inspire and encourage more young women?
Well, Schréder as a company has always provided equal opportunities for both men and women, so my general recommendations for organisations would be to support women by defining clearer development opportunities, and the steps required for internal mobility.
They should also encourage women to take on mission critical roles and international experiences to grow and prove their capabilities.
What women have had the greatest impact on your life, and why?
Well, it may seem very cliché, but my greatest role model, is my mum. She always worked hard and moved her way up the ladder, at a time when many women stayed at home, while taking care of the family. She showed me that balancing a career and a family is possible.
She instilled an impeccable work ethic and a positive attitude. She is a constant support and if I ever need advice, she’s the person I go to, as I know she will always be completely honest.
What is your greatest achievement in work to date?
I have been working for Schréder for quite a while as the company has provided me with many opportunities along the way, so I continue to grow and be challenged. But, my biggest achievement has definitely been accepting my new role in Dubai.
Moving abroad, out of my comfort zone into a new job, still considered by many as a male position, with a lot more responsibility was a huge jump.
And I’m really proud to have made that move, both on a personal and professional level. It’s been a joy to work with people from different backgrounds and nationalities.
What advice would you give young women starting their professional career today?
It’s simple - you can do whatever you make up your mind to do. Don’t underestimate yourselves or let anyone else underestimate you.
Be open minded, embrace changes, keep learning and more importantly, enjoy what you are doing because it is one of the biggest keys to success.
Connect with Christine on LinkedIn