Can you tell us about your journey to becoming an in-house counsel? What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?  

I started in the public sector but have been in the private sector for the last decade. 

In my journey, I have met countless inspiring individuals who motivate me to strive for self-improvement daily, most of them are extraordinary human beings and experts in this sector. For example, Felissa Ros, the country manager at ENGIE, is an advocate for women in this industry and she always encourages us to take on powerful positions. Please note, that according to the National Statistics and Geography Institute, only 10% of the workforce in this sector comprises females. She and other women inspire me to fight for recognition and equal opportunities for all of us in this field. 

In your role as an in-house counsel, what are the main responsibilities and tasks you handle on a day-to-day basis?  

It is important to mention that ENGIE is divided into two main fields, natural gas, and electricity. As to my role as an in-house counsel, I am solely responsible for all matters related to electricity.  

Regarding electricity, ENGIE operates three global business units, each with its own set of assets which are briefly described below: 

The GBU Renewables has eight renewable power plants. Those make it one of ENGIE’s largest electricity investments in Mexico, demonstrating a serious commitment to energy transition and reducing global warming. 

The GBU Flex Retail and Generation owns and operates two Cogeneration Power Plants that use natural gas and are considered clean energy due to their technology. 

Please note that ENGIE’s power plants have a total capacity of +1.3 GW and have attracted an overall investment of $3,500m in the last few years. ENGIE has also created over 20,000 jobs (directly and indirectly). 

The Global Energy Management and Sales is responsible for all power purchase agreements with third parties, which I must elaborate, discuss with clients, and successfully sign. 

What are some of the key challenges you have faced as a rising star in-house counsel, and how have you overcome them?  

As an in-house counsel, I have encountered several challenges in managing cross-functional teams which include engineers, finance, environmental, and commercial colleagues. The teams are tasked with resolving complex issues related to the assets while adhering to the legal, ethical, and economic policies of the group.  

Using my leadership and problem-solving skills, I always push all projects forward, encouraging the rest of the team and completing our responsibilities, knowing that not always we can avoid risks, but we can mitigate them. 

What steps have you taken to enhance your professional development and expand your legal skill set?  

To enhance my professional development, I have taken various steps. Firstly, I ensure that I meet ENGIE’s goals in detail while preventing any exposure or risk against the group. Additionally, I have pursued further education by obtaining a master’s degree and several specialisations relevant to my field.