On the occasion of Industry Week, we want to shine a spotlight on the women and men who shape Soitec every day. Through a series of interviews, discover their inspiring journeys, the depth of their talents, and share in the passion that drives them in their work. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize their dedication and their vital contributions to the innovation and industrial excellence that define Soitec’s strength!

Throughout the week, explore the portrait of one of our talented team members each day.

Could you introduce yourself and describe your current role at Soitec?

I am Ilona Leroy, I’m Partnerships Program Manager for European funding programs. I joined Soitec in 2022 after completing a year-long internship in the same field. My role involves coordinating and managing projects in partnership with value chain actors to respond to calls for projects from the European Union. If these projects are selected, Soitec receives funding for three years, which requires rigorous management on both administrative and financial levels. I work closely with various departments, including Innovation, Business Units, and Finance, to ensure technical and financial project tracking. Consequently, a part of my work consists in coordinating internal teams but also managing relationships with external partners and funders.

Could you tell us about your background and what led you to choose a career in the industry?

I graduated from Sciences Po Grenoble, where I completed a five-year program after high school. During my master’s degree, I did an internship at CEA, which sparked my interest in the industry, particularly in technology and innovation. Wanting to specialize in innovation project management, I continued with a program in innovation management at Grenoble École de Management, where I also interned at Soitec. This experience allowed me to learn about industrial challenges and to get familiar with the high-tech sector.

What motivates you the most in your job on a daily basis?

What I particularly enjoy about my job is the cross-functional and diverse nature of my tasks. My work involves collaborating with people from various sectors, whether in innovation, product development, finance, or partner relations. This diversity enables continuous learning and creates a stimulating environment. Working on a European scale with partners across the entire value chain is also very enriching. It allows me to discover new companies, exchange with experts, and better understand the environment in which Soitec is growing up.

What skills are essential in your field?
Open-mindedness is an essential quality for adapting to change and making the most of the opportunities that arise. It also fosters a better understanding of others, allows us to learn from their experiences, and enables effective collaboration.
Meeting experts and learning from their experiences is an excellent way to grow, but it’s equally important to recognize your own unique value and to dare to step forward. As a young professional, it’s easy to be impressed by the expertise of others, but it’s crucial to understand that you, too, bring unique contributions to the table. You must dare to claim your place—no one else will do it for you.
It’s important to build enough self-confidence to know that, even if you’re not an expert in every field, you have your own expertise to offer and share. It is this complementarity that makes teamwork so enriching and effective.

How can the industry attract more young talent, especially young women?

One of the industry’s key strengths is its dynamism. The technology and industrial sectors are rapidly evolving and offer opportunities to tackle exciting challenges. It’s a stimulating environment for those looking to push themselves and innovate. Furthermore, current societal issues, such as energy transition and sustainable development, are powerful drivers to attract young talent, particularly young women, who want to participate in projects with a positive impact on the world. Beyond that, giving meaning to one's work is essential. The international aspect is also an attractive factor, as companies like Soitec offer opportunities to work on a European and global scale, providing rich and varied career prospects. Finally, it is crucial for the industry to actively engage with societal and environmental issues to appeal to younger generations because yes, we have our place too in this sector!

What advice would you give to those looking to start a career in the industry?

Curiosity. It is essential to understand the sector, adapting to challenges, and learning from the environment. It’s also important to meet experts and learn from their experience. Sometimes these experts have very specialized backgrounds, but they can offer valuable perspectives. While it’s essential to learn from their expertise, it’s also crucial to recognize your own value and to dare. As a young professional, it can be easy to feel impressed by others' expertise, but it's fundamental to understand that we each bring unique contributions. We must dare to take our place because no one will do it for us. Developing enough self-confidence to know that, even if you’re not an expert in every field, you have specific expertise to offer and share is key. This complementarity makes teamwork especially enriching and efficient.

What role does innovation play in your daily work?

Innovation is central to my daily work. As a manager of European projects, innovation is at the core of the proposals we submit to funding authorities. We work closely with the Innovation department to identify innovative solutions and integrate them into our projects. Innovation isn’t limited to products or technologies; it also extends to how we manage projects, including coordination, collaboration with external partners, and adapting our working methods to overcome obstacles and ensure smooth project execution. Collaborating with experts from various fields allows us to continuously reassess and improve our practices to maximize project efficiency.

Is there an achievement you’re particularly proud of in your professional journey?

A memorable moment for me in my professional career in Soitec was speaking at an important conference in the context of the financing program IPCEI. I was in front of about a hundred people, an experienced, predominantly male audience. It was the first time I spoke in such a setting. When we took the photo with all the speakers, we realized that I was the only young woman. In addition to this aspect, it was a powerful moment where I realized that I had my place and that my voice mattered. I hope this experience can inspire other women to dare as well.