Mathilde Le Cossec - Impact Project Manager at La French Tech Brest Bretagne Ouest

Mathilde Le Cossec, 30, is impact project manager at La French Tech Brest Bretagne Ouest. Her role is to help start-ups reduce the environmental impact of their digital projects.

Can you introduce yourself in a few words ? Which IAE Pau-Bayonne course did you graduate from ? What has been your career path so far ?

My name is Mathilde, I'm 30 years old, I'm from Finistère and I did the Master 2 in International Trade in Latin America at the IAE in Bayonne. I worked for 4 years in the voluntary sector in the Basque country as a project coordinator in the Social Solidarity Economy and ecological transition, in connection with entrepreneurship or business support.

Tell us a little about your job as Impact Project Manager. What do you do ?  Who do you work with ?

I'm currently working for La French Tech, a brand run by the French Ministry for the Digital Economy, which aims to support the structuring and growth of the French start-up ecosystem, both in France and internationally. I'm working on Impact and Ecological Transition, with a view to taking action to reduce the environmental impact of digital projects. In particular, I coordinated the organisation of an event on responsible digital technologies and co-authored a guide to responsible digital best practice for project developers and start-ups.

What drew you to CSR ?

I've always been sensitive to environmental issues, I grew up near the sea and I enjoy water sports. It was natural for me to move into this sector through my work placements and professional experience.

Would you have any advice for students and alumni who, through their professional or personal lives, would like to get more involved in impact projects ?

There are a lot of associations in the Basque Country where you can volunteer or do work placements to get involved in impact projects. Corporate positions are also developing, but I'd advise you to specialise in CSR at Masters level, as the subjects can be quite technical.