Luxinnovation is Luxembourg’s national innovation agency. It encourages and supports companies to innovate and to grow, whilst facilitating their collaboration with public research players. The institution recently launched the Luxembourg Digital Innovation Hub to bridge the current divide of digitalisation of companies in Luxembourg. To lead this hub, Luxinnovation has just appointed Marina Guérin-Jabbour.
by: Silicon Luxembourg
photo: Luxinnovation
featured: Marina Guérin-Jabbour
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What is your job like?
I joined Luxinnovation at the end of September 2019 as the Head of Luxembourg Digital Innovation Hub (L-DIH). This is a key component of Luxembourg’s strategy of creating a data-driven economy.
The mission of the L-DIH is to not only bring together the supply and demand for digitisation from industrialists, but also to contribute its expertise in their reflections and approaches to digital transformation.
My role is to define L-DIH’s strategy to initiate and execute the necessary actions and manage a team in order to accomplish our missions. Another component of my role is to represent L-DIH in the European programme, with the aim of eventually becoming a member of the network.
“My activities as an engineer have enabled me to file patents for innovation and to subsequently develop my managerial skills.”
What is your background?
A graduate of the Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble, I began my career at the IBM France Study and Research Centre. During this phase, I held several positions, from microprocessor development and research engineer to senior international executive roles while working with private and public companies. My activities as an engineer have enabled me to file patents for innovation and to subsequently develop my managerial skills.
I have devoted the last 10 years of my career at IBM France to innovation, first as Director of the Centre of Excellence for “Government & Smarter Cities”. Soon after, I created two “Client Centers”, one in Dubai and another in Abu Dhabi. I implemented their innovation strategy that met the expectations of the ecosystem of companies, start-ups and government institutions, including universities and research centers.
Prior to my current position, I was in charge of the IBM’s Global Industry Solution Center in Paris where I led a consulting and development team. I worked with companies to implement innovative solutions that increase productivity and improve customer service.
“There should be no doubt in one’s ability to succeed because the barriers for women are, primarily, societal.”
How do you see your place as a woman in IT? Any message(s) you would like to share with us?
I would like my career in this field to be a source of inspiration for young women. It’s up to us, the “old” ones, to give them the opportunity to take an interest in the IT and digital sectors, to convince them that women can take on positions in research and studies, but also managerial roles in high-tech fields, just like men.
There should be no doubt in one’s ability to succeed because the barriers for women are, primarily, societal.
This article was first published in the Silicon Luxembourg magazine. Get a copy now!
