Family: Husband, Emmanuel; twin daughters, Leila and Salma, 14
Born: Khouribga, Morocco
Nationality: Moroccan and French
Languages: Arabic, English, French, German
Education: Master’s degree in materials engineering, University of Science & Technology, Tours, France; master’s degree in chemistry of transformation at University of Science & Technology, Clermont-Ferrand, France
What was your first automotive job and why were you interested in the industry? My first automotive job was in the automotive bearing industry. I was passionate about using my technical expertise in analyzing the root causes of the bearing failures and providing corrective action to prevent reoccurrence to help meet our automotive customers’ expectations.
Your greatest achievement? I really enjoy helping people discover their strengths. It gives me great personal satisfaction. Often, I see people’s talents before they realize it themselves. I have always achieved great results with people and through people. I’m also proud of transforming the ways of working at SKF. I try to set the right strategies and build agile teams with specific skills that best fit the industries and customers. This helped lead to strong financial results during the pandemic. With full value-chain alignment, starting from design to achieving the customer’s target prices and performances, we were able to achieve dynamic performance.
What was your biggest failure and what did it teach you? I can’t think of a specific failure. However, I have had to overcome many challenges. I have considered each one an opportunity to learn and grow.
What is your current challenge at work? My current challenge is having to cope with high customer demand. It’s challenging to meet all their needs especially considering the supply limitations and the logistical issues we are facing due to the pandemic.
What is the best advice you have ever received? When I was going to school my father used to tell me to not put all my eggs in one basket. It was and is wonderful advice.
What advice would you give to a person considering a career in the auto industry? If the person is passionate, loves a challenge, is creative and innovative, then I would tell them the automotive industry is a perfect fit.
What job do you really want to have in the future? I would like to serve customers on a global scale by delivering innovative products and intelligent solutions. It would allow me to use my strong leadership skills in a matrix organization.
What do you do to relax? My perfect relaxing day is when I wake up and go for a run, have brunch with my family, read up on the news and study German. I also like to go to a sauna and get a massage during the cooler months. Visiting a beach and listening to music is also high on my list for relaxation. Since my husband is a French chef, a delicious meal prepared by him makes for the perfect end to a wonderful day.
What is your dream location to live? While it’s not easy to choose my favorite place because I like to mix it up when it comes to cultures and backgrounds, I really love St. Malo, France. The place is home to great international diversity, wonderful nature, beaches and amazing food.
What is your favorite driving song? ”Where Is the Love?” by The Black Eyed Peas.
What was your favorite road trip and why? That’s a tough question because I have been on so many amazing road trips. I feel privileged to have lived in several wonderful countries including Morocco, France, India, China, the United States and now Germany. If I really had to choose, it would be the trip I took with my husband and daughters through Australia. We drove from Sydney to Melbourne, Phillip Island and then on to Adelaide.
What was your first car? My first car was a VW Passat.
Current car? I drive a BMW 540D Touring.
If you were a car, which one would you be? I would like to be a Porsche 911 because, like me, it is strong, sporty, versatile and never afraid of a challenge regardless of the competition.
Career highlights
2019-present: Director, bearings product management and marketing, SKF Germany, Schweinfurt, Germany
2018-2019: Director, seals product industrialization, engineering tests and investigation sealing solutions business unit, SKF USA, Elgin, Illinois, USA
2015-2018: Director, seals engineering tests and investigations sealing solutions business unit, SKF USA, Elgin, Illinois, USA
2013-2015: Manager, global metallurgy and chemistry laboratory and global program manager, SKF China, Shanghai, China
2011-2013: Manager, bearing failure; performance analysis and customer support global technical center, SKF India, Pune and Bangalore, India
2003-2010: Expert, bearing failure; performance analysis and customer support group technology development, SKF France, Tours, France
