Sarah Dulyere is a Legal Counsel at Rexel, she discusses her journey into law, influenced by childhood curiosity and admiration for singer. She highlights the diverse challenges of her role, emphasizes resilience and well-being, and advises aspiring professionals to embrace learning and self-belief.

Interviewed by Juliette Travaillé

Have you always wanted to work in a law-related field? If yes, what specific experiences or inspirations influenced this career of choice?

As a kid, I had a strong sense of justice and fairness; this was always very important to me. I often found myself asking questions and challenging certain rules or orders to understand not only their significance but also their relevance. The adults I met usually said that I was going to be a perfect lawyer because I was a born challenger. I was a huge fan of an artist at that time, singer and lawyer, Axelle Red. I must admit that I quickly knew that I was more likely to become a lawyer than a singer! That was my first inspiration towards law. When I began my law-degree, I realised that I really appreciated the fact of defending people and challenging the rules that are in place. But then I did one experience at Alcogroup, and it was amazing being there as a trainee with a corporate lawyer. With her, I was able to really immerse myself in the company. I saw all different levels and jobs and everything where you as a lawyer could help your colleagues. It was quite a challenging internship, and I really loved it. That's why I am now a corporate legal counsel and not a lawyer.

As a kid, I had a strong sense of justice and fairness; this was always very important to me. I often found myself asking questions and challenging certain rules or orders to understand not only their significance but also their relevance.

What does a typical day as a legal counsel at Rexel entail? Can you provide some insights about the specific responsibilities and challenges you are facing?

My days are never the same at Rexel, which is why I love this job! I always have new surprises, new questions that are emerging. As a legal counsel, I have various tasks, it's very cross-functional. I'm working with various colleagues and departments. I have questions regarding sales or direct or indirect procurement, IT questions but also about privacy, like personal data. I handle litigation that can be with partners or clients, but also with the procurement teams. And then at another level, I am also working a lot with a group because Rexel Belgium is a subsidiary of Rexel Development in France. So, we also have a lot of interaction with Rexel Development and the other companies of the group, of course. I also have a lot of corporate housekeeping related questions like General Assembly. As we speak, we are doing the approval of the annual accounts. It's always different. And the challenge, I would say, is the fact of staying focused and organised, even if we don't really know what the day will look like when I arrive here.

You've worked in Singapore. What motivated you to move there? And how did this experience impact you both, personally and professionally? And do you have a vision of working abroad again in the future?

My main motivation was the challenge and stepping out of my comfort zone. I was 25 when I left Belgium. It was easier than we might believe. At the end of the day, you're just bringing your car back and announcing to your parents that you're leaving, and then you’re gone! Unfortunately, it was COVID time, so it changed quite a lot  the experience that I was supposed to live there. But it was interesting to see how different cultures, different political and economic cultures, were facing those difficult times. Living in Singapore, during COVID and living in Belgium during COVID was very different. I was sharing the experience with friends and family in Belgium while I was there. And it helped me to be more open and to have more resilience because it’s harder to challenge rules in Singapore than in Belgium. It was a great lesson to be there as a European.

I would love to have another experience abroad. But now I must admit that I'm very happy with my job at Rexel Belgium.

As you’ve recently started the Women Talent Pool Programme, what specific goals or outcomes do you hope to achieve through this initiative?

Most importantly, sharing and learning. There is nothing more important than being surrounded by the right people at the right time. Honestly, I truly think I wouldn't be here if I hadn't met the right person at the right time. I've been lucky enough to be surrounded by fantastic women in my personal life and in my career. The best way of evolving in your professional and personal lives is by listening to people. That’s one of my biggest motivations for joining this programme. Moreover, I really want to be able to be that kind of person for other people one day.

I’m convinced that I’m going to learn a lot, not only from the mentors, but also from the members and our peers.

On the way back from our first WTP Event in London, I realised how much all the inspiring women I had met were also just humans. I recently understood that it’s okay for me to be tired, sad, angry after a long day. And everybody has those days. It’s important to be able to identify these moments and seize them right.

I realised how much all the inspiring women I had met were also just humans.

What advice would you offer to young girls and women interested in pursuing a career in your field or working abroad but may feel uncertain about their capabilities?

The first thing to do is to surround yourself with knowledgeable people. You don’t know everything and it’s okay, so learn from others. For instance, I'm a lawyer but I'm bad with numbers, so I ask people who are good with them to help me. Likewise, if you're good with numbers, but you don't know anything about law, surround yourself with people that know the law. And just learn from each other. Very much linked, but secondly, know your strengths and weaknesses. Thirdly, believe in yourself. It’s easier said than done but always remember that if there is a worst-case scenario, there’s also a best-case scenario. Just try, the worst that can happen is for you to fail and learn. I failed a lot myself. I didn’t know at the time what those failures meant but now I know that each one of these mistakes led me to where I am today.

Just try, the worst that can happen is for you to fail and learn. I failed a lot myself. I didn’t know at the time what those failures meant but now I know that each one of these mistakes led me to where I am today.

Apart from your professional pursuits, what are your passions outside of work, and how do they contribute to your personal and professional growth?

It's always activities that help me disconnect from my work and my usual day. When you're working a lot in a very challenging environment and have many responsibilities, you need to learn to take breaks and escape from time to time. Personally, I find this disconnection in sports. Just going out for a walk after a long day really helps me take my mind off things. I also enjoy cooking because it helps me focus on simple tasks and forget about the rest. The most important thing is to find things that you enjoy doing and that help you feel better about yourself and your life!