My First Job with Loubna Ghaleb

Lindy: Hello and welcome to IFC Audio Stories, where we discuss private sector solutions to global development challenges. I’m Lindy Mtongana. Today we continue with our special series My First Job. And for Women’s Month, I’m in conversation with senior women leaders about their first jobs, the career journeys that followed and in particular the lessons they learned. 

Today, my guest is Loubna Ghaleb, Executive Board Member for Strategy and Development at Tanger-Med Group, a leader in ports, logistics, and industrial platforms. Headquartered in Morocco, and operates the Tanger Med Port Complex, which is the largest port in the Mediterranean and Africa handling nearly 200 million tons of goods annually. Welcome to the show Loubna. 

Loubna: Thank you. 

Lindy: Let's go back to the very beginning of your career journey. Can you tell me about your very first job?

Loubna: Well, my very first job was as a junior project in the infrastructure sector. I got this position through an internship program that I applied for shortly after completing my studies. So that it was actually in France within the WIG Group. And that experience taught me the importance of resilience, effective communication, and the value of continuously learning on the job. So it was like an open, an eye opening experience, especially as a woman in a male dominated industry. But it’s instilled me in a,  in a strong work ethic and the belief that with dedication and skill, gender does not define one's success.

Lindy: And now you've gone from that first job to being a member of the executive board of Tanger-med. It's an incredible journey. When you look back on that, was there a particular moment, a pivotal moment or a turning point that you would say brought you to where you are today?

Loubna: There wasn't one pivotal moment that led to where am I today? It's about moments, many maybe that has shaped my journey. Maybe the first moment I said is when I joined Tanger-Med. It was back in 2005. That was a big moment for me. One also of the pivotal moments was when I was given the responsibility to lead a major partnership project at Tanger-Med. So, it was a challenge that I've never faced before, but it was a defining moment for me that allowed me to prove all my leadership skills and strategic thinking. So, this opportunity helped me gain the confidence and the credibility needed to step into a maybe a higher roles. And from there, I've been able to mentor others and particularly women and champion diversity in leadership positions. That's one of the turning points that solidified my belief that opportunities come when you are ready to embrace them.

Lindy: Tell me about your current job. I'm curious about what makes it exciting for you. What do you enjoy the most about your role? 

Loubna: My current job at Tanger Med, I am a board member of the Tanger Med group and I oversee the development and the financing of this major infrastructure and logistic projects with a focus on strategic planning public private partnership and the financial structuring. So my interest maybe in the infrastructure and logistics sector dates back to my studies in civil engineering. I  have always been drawn to large infrastructure projects, their design structuring and their impact on the economic development. Among these project, those related to transportation and logistics are of paramount importance as they are strategic levers for the competitiveness of economies. Roads, ports, airports and rail networks are the heart of the today, of the global trade and play a key role in optimizing commercial flows. So what excites me about this role is the opportunity to drive meaningful change, not only through a large-scale project, but also by advocating for gender parity and supporting the growth of women in in leadership roles.

Lindy: You work in a traditionally male dominated industry, what do you think are some of the barriers women still face in this sector? 

Loubna: Well, I think the, the biggest barriers I see are often cultural and structural. They are deeply ingrained societal norms and unconscious biases that can hold women back from reaching their full potential. So, in many industries, leadership roles are still dominated by men and women may face challenges in proving themselves at the highest levels. So balancing work and personal life can be especially difficult for women, who often face greater expectations in family and in caregiving roles. So, tackling these barriers requires a concerted effort from both individuals and organizations to create more inclusive environments and policies that can support work life balance.

Lindy: And a final question. I'm curious about how you personally mentor and support other women in this industry, in this sector, for them to also rise to leadership positions and succeed.

Loubna: So, thank you for this, this question. I believe in the power of mentorship and to lead by example. So, I actively look for opportunities to guide and support the younger women who are starting their careers by offering advice, encouragement, and sometimes even advocating for their visibility within the organization. So, at Tanger Med we have created mentorship programs specifically designed to help women navigate their careers and access to leadership opportunities. I also emphasize the importance of continuous learning and staying adaptable in a rapidly changing industry. So, it's crucial for women to build networks, of course, to trust in their ability and to never stop pushing for the opportunities they deserve.

Lindy: Well said. Thank you so much, Loubna. 

Loubna: Thank you, Lindy. 

Thats where leave it. Thanks to my guest Loubna Ghaleb. This is IFC Audio Stories, I’m Lindy Mtongana, thanks for listening.