Meet Helena Kazamaki, Executive Vice President at Axens, deeply immersed in legal and integrity functions. In this interview, she reflects on her career journey, transitioning from a law firm Associate to a pivotal role at the European Commission, to finally bringing her into the private industrial sectors. Helena discusses challenges in balancing legal responsibilities with broader organizational roles and shares insights on fostering professional growth. She also offers valuable advice for aspiring legal leaders.

Interviewed by Irene Reyes Suero

Since 2021, you've been serving as the Group General Counsel, Executive Vice President at Axens in Paris. What does a typical day look like for you, and what unique challenges or opportunities have you encountered in your current role?

I'm definitely an early bird, so my day starts early. Coffee is non-negotiable; it's what kicks off the day together with the colleagues. Being an early riser also gives me those precious early hours to prepare for the day ahead, especially for upcoming meetings. With the decrease in travel post-COVID, we've found ourselves spending more time in face-to-face & Teams meetings, which has its advantages nowadays. I really value the direct as well as informal interactions with our legal and operations teams. We cover a variety of topics, from day-to-day management to strategic issues. Each day brings something different, which keeps things interesting as well as intellectually challenging.

One thing I'm particularly keen on applying when not in meetings, that is the open-door policy. My office door is always open and colleagues are welcome to drop in anytime to discuss ongoing matters or anything else on their minds, needing advice and support. It fosters a real sense of collaboration and ensures everyone feels heard and involved.

My office door is always open and colleagues are welcome to drop in anytime to discuss ongoing matters or anything else on their minds, needing advice and support.

It fosters a real sense of collaboration and ensures everyone feels heard and involved.

Earlier in your career you transitioned from an Associate role at a law firm, in Stockholm and Paris, to joining the European Commission in Brussels and then finally transitioning into the private industrial sector. Can you share more about this time and how did this transition shape your career?

My first experience was in a law firm; after studying European Law at the University of Stockholm and in Paris, my passion for European legal matters was evident from the start. Transitioning from there to Brussels was a natural progression for me; it was fulfilling a dream to work for the European Commission. It's a decision I've never regretted, as it brought me into contact with incredibly intelligent and multicultural colleagues.

One individual who stands out vividly in my memory is my head of unit—a truly remarkable female leader who also became my mentor. Back then, mentorship programmes like the one available at WIL were not as prevalent as they are today. So, the guidance and insights she offered were invaluable. She provided me with a different perspective on work methodologies and interactions that I still carry with me today.

Even after all these years, I'm immensely grateful for her willingness to impart her knowledge and invest in the next generation of talented individuals. It's something we deeply appreciated at the time, and now, it's our turn to pass on that legacy to the youth and emerging leaders who will follow in our footsteps.

How did these leadership positions influence your approach to legal and integrity functions, and what challenges did you face in balancing legal responsibilities with broader organisational roles?

Looking back, and in a previous role early in my career, I found myself as the first female leader heading a legal department within the leadership team. Being the first and only woman in such a leadership position sometimes felt isolating and challenging. Obviously over the years, this has changed as female leaders have joined leadership teams either on the operational side or on the functional side.

But back then, discussions around diversity and gender balance weren't as prevalent as they are today. Women had the opportunity to move upwards in fields like HR, legal, and communications, which tended to be more female oriented. It's encouraging to see more women now rising into leadership roles, within traditionally male-dominated sectors like engineering and operations.

But, let's be honest, it wasn't an easy journey. Overcoming challenges required resilience and persistence.

Thanks to that experience, it became clear to me that I desired more than just focusing on legal work or integrity; I wanted to be fully immersed in the company's operations and have a direct impact on its future.

Looking back at your career, which role or project stands out as a significant milestone or turning point?

I consider my time at the European Commission to be a turning point in my career. While it was fulfilling to realise my dream, it also made me reassess my future goals. Transitioning from a private law firm to the public sector exposed me to two different worlds.

Working at the EU Commission, which was undoubtedly a period filled with passion, I came to the realisation that my true passion lay in the business sector. I wanted to actively participate in decision-making processes, contribute to strategic initiatives, and play a role in shaping the company's future direction.

It became clear to me that I desired more than just focusing on legal work or integrity; I wanted to be fully immersed in the company's operations and have a direct impact on its future.

As a Career Development Leader for the Talents in the 8th edition of the Women Talent Pool Programme at WIL, how do you approach fostering professional growth and development, both for yourself and others? Are there specific strategies or insights you find particularly valuable?

The important thing is to think outside the box, dare to venture into new adventures, and step out of your comfort zone, perhaps even leaving your country for something different. It's about living your dreams because if you don't, you'll regret not seizing those chances.

Throughout your career, you've navigated diverse roles and responsibilities. What advice would you give to individuals aspiring to reach executive leadership positions in the legal and integrity domain?

In leadership, whether it's legal, integrity or any other role, thinking outside the box is crucial to move forward. Never be afraid of new challenges. You need to dare to leave your comfort zone. Stepping out of your comfort zone is not easy, but it is necessary for growth. In our career path, everything is possible if you are willing to dare to take the bold step to move forward and upwards.