For Vanessa Taddei, Senior Vice President at CGI, stepping outside her comfort zone isn’t just a hollow philosophy—it’s a way of life. Meet a leader who knows how to combine performance, authenticity and enjoyment at work.

What pushed you to start over in a new country when everything was going well in France?

I like to step outside my comfort zone; I never stay very long in places or roles where I feel too comfortable. I thrive on risk and dopamine, which is the hormone of motivation and joy at work, and which is fueled by novelty. There are cycles in a career where you feel the need to reinvent yourself, to take risks, and that’s why I became an immigrant. I was 39 when I crossed the Atlantic to join CGI Montreal, with two young children I was raising on my own, so it was a real adventure. I have to admit, though, that I underestimated just how hard it is to start over somewhere new!

A year ago, you became a senior vice president; what motivated you to take on that role?

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: it was all about stepping out of my comfort zone! (laughs) That said, this progression happened in stages: I took over the “investment” client segment, then the National Bank account, our biggest client in Montreal. Today, I manage both segments, with 300 people reporting to me. It’s incredibly stimulating, because I feel like I’m running a mini-SME right within CGI: I’m involved in HR, finance, operations, business development… I probably have 10 to 15 years left to work; until I retire, I want to keep having fun and learning. It’s not so much a vertical climb I’m after, but the intellectual challenge, the learning. And I need to stay connected to the front lines and to people.

What were your biggest challenges when you first started the job?

I was taking over from a very experienced, very charismatic man, so it wasn’t easy to step into that role as a younger, less experienced woman. On top of that, I was managing my former colleagues! Hello, imposter syndrome! At first, I wondered what I could do to feel legitimate, to do things right; pretty quickly, I told myself that I shouldn’t try to be someone else—I had to stay true to my values and my style. I practice a collaborative leadership style: I seek consensus, but not a weak one, and not at any cost. And I value unique personalities, who bring different perspectives and help us move forward faster.

You took part in The A Effect’s Ambition Challenge; what role did that experience play in your career path?

The Ambition Challenge helped me better articulate and then better communicate my goals. Not just with my direct reports and decision-makers, but also with stakeholders I would never have approached otherwise. And then, the program reconnected me with tools I thought I had mastered—like the art of pitching or negotiation—but which I rediscovered from a different angle.

Before, I believed that senior leadership roles were restrictive for women. In France, at the start of my career, I forced myself to adopt a more “masculine” demeanor, if only to gain greater legitimacy in my roles. I thought I had to set aside my uniqueness and my sense of fun. Yet, I need to have fun while I work with my teams! I need to be myself! At The A Effect, the joy was palpable among all the leaders, and I found that very inspiring. It left a deep impression on me. There’s a domino effect when you effectively communicate your ambition.

“My time at The A Effect helped me overcome my shyness and become more confident. The biggest obstacles to my growth were ones I created myself, out of modesty. It’s no coincidence that, a year later, I was officially promoted to VP.”

As a woman leader in the tech industry—which, as we know, is male-dominated—do you feel a special sense of responsibility?

Yes, giving back is crucial to me. I was fortunate to be guided and inspired by great role models who helped me embrace a bold and confident ambition. At The A Effect, it was wonderful to see such fulfilled and inspiring women who approach their success with such authenticity. That gave me a deep sense of reassurance. That’s why I, in turn, want to mentor young talent. I want to pass on that same inspiration to them and give them the right to dream big. And, more selfishly, I believe I receive as much as I give, because it’s incredibly enriching to be in contact with younger generations. Their experiences teach me just as much as what I can offer them.

And what’s next? Do you already see yourself stepping out of your comfort zone again?

(laughs) Not yet! For now, I want to stay close to my teams and keep doing what I love: building, bringing people together, helping them grow—and growing alongside them. I want to keep fueling my ambition, that inner fire that drives me to grow and keep learning despite the challenges…

Photo : Dominique Viau, BODOÜM Photographie