As we continue to recognize and celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions of women who have shaped our world, we had the honor of speaking with Marie Dupont, Founding Partner at INTAKT and Accredited Mediator. She has made significant strides in the legal industry and is soon to become the first female President of the Brussels Bar. In this interview, we delve into her inspiring journey and gain valuable insights from her experiences for other women who aspire to fulfill their dreams.

Reading in not your cup of tea? Watch the interview here.

Marie Dupont: the journey

Kingsley: Hello, Marie! Can you tell us a couple of things about yourself?

Marie Dupont: Yes, sure! My name is Marie Dupont, I’m 45 years old, and I’m a lawyer and mediator. I have also been the vice-president of the Brussels Bar Association for 6 months now.  

K: As a child, what was your dream job? 

MD: I wanted to be a civil engineer and build bridges. I thought my name was quite fitting, at least from a commercial perspective as Dupont means ‘bridges’ in French.  

K: Do you still have the same career goals?

MD: Life took me in a completely different direction, but I think it’s not so far from what I do now, which is essentially building bridges between people through dialogue and mediation.  

K: Why did you choose to pursue a career in law? 

MD: By chance! I was an aesthetician. When I finished humanities, I had to work quite quickly and as I always liked beauty products, make-up, it seemed quite natural to me to go into aesthetics. And in one year, I was able to start working. After a few years, I got a little bored in that profession. I wanted something more intellectual and something where I felt even more involved in serving people. The variety of this profession really appealed to me. I thought I would do it for a year, just to have it on my CV and here I am today, still doing it, 19 years later.

K: Does this unconventional journey have a particular flavor?  

MD: It has the flavor of things that are difficult to obtain. Things are very enjoyable when you must fight for it. I’m not sure if my journey is that unconventional. I talked with a lot of people and realized that there are many people who have uncommon career paths. Atypical paths are becoming more common. I believe that in a generation or two, it will be the new norm. 

Presidency at the Brussels Bar

K: What do you feel about being the first female president of the Brussels Bar association?  

MD: I am honored and proud to contribute to this societal change that is happening. However, it wasn’t something I had planned or even desired. I didn’t think, “You’re going to be the first female president.” I thought, “Why not be a president?” then the path unfolded. Others spoke about what needed to be done, and I got carried away in this intersection of societal change and modification. It’s a pride, but most importantly, an honor. I want to contribute to this change even if I don’t have all the answers. 

K: What are your plans as the future president of the Brussels Bar? 

MD: First, I hope people will remember me as a great president, not just because I was the first female president. What makes a great president is what I hope to achieve. 

I am committed to ensuring that the mistakes of our elders are not repeated, particularly when it comes to attitudes and behaviors. My goal is to create a virtuous circle by supporting young people, promoting diversity, enhancing the representation of women, redefining our relationship with power, and improving the interactions between lawyers and their clients as well as the broader community. While I recognize that progress is being made even without my involvement, I hope to make a meaningful contribution towards these changes.

K: What does success mean to you?  

MD: Simply being happy with what we do and waking up every morning saying that it’s great what we’re going to experience today. 

Entrepreneurship for Women

K: How would you define women entrepreneurship?

MD: When it comes to women, there are distinct differences in their approach to problem-solving and leadership. Women tend to rely more on collective intelligence and empathy, which is the ability to understand and empathize with others’ perspectives. Additionally, women often bring a unique vision and management style to the table. By embracing diversity and encouraging women and men to work together, we can create an ideal management structure that benefits everyone.

Leadership and younger generations

K: What makes a good leader?  

MD: I think that a good leader is someone who sees the interests of the group above all. Whether it is a small group or a large group, the priority of a good leader is serving the group without forgetting himself/herself. 

K: How are women in the legal sector?

MD: I’m about the median age at the bar. So I think it’s very different for older women, who are in their 60s, who have achieved an incredible challenge: they have fought to get the same treatment as men and they can be proud of what they have accomplished. Concerning young women lawyers, what is complicated is that there is a lot of doubt and questioning about giving up and making sacrifices as a mom and as a lawyer. You should not give up your passion or your life as a woman. However, everything is possible with organization, a good environment and also with sacrifices.

K: Any advice for the younger generation? 

MD: Listen to your desires and your intuition. Above all, dare to take risks. If someone else can do it, you can do it too! 

Today’s woman: strong and relatable

K: What does “Being a woman in 2023” means to you? 

MD: Being a woman is not just about the feminine gender; it is not just about sexuality or even appearance, it is more than that. I think that being a woman means expressing a feminine power, a particular yin-yang balance specific to women. I feel that it is above all a specific strength, a feminine strength, something that we have deep inside us.

K: Who inspires you the most daily? 

MD: Every day, I find inspiration in the women around me, both inside and outside of the office. Despite their busy lives as mothers, my colleagues lead incredible lives that are full of energy and vitality. As I watch them gracefully manage the challenges of parenthood and work, I can’t help but be inspired by their strength and resilience; I am the only one at office without children. I am inspired by many people, not only role models. You don’t have to be a hero to be the hero of the day. 

As a wise and hopeful woman in law, Marie shows us that behind every great story, there’s somebody who was willing to take some risks!

If you believe in yourself and you generate positive energies, doors will open for you and you will greatly increase your chances of this happening. If this is your conviction, your belief, it will come true; So value yourself, believe in yourself and it will manifest itself. (Marie Dupont)