Today’s Notable Young Professional is Amandine Robin, who grew up in France’s Champagne region and moved to Canada to pursue her passion and take the wine and spirits industry by storm. We caught up with her to find out what inspired her career and what advice she would share with other young professionals…
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WORK
1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
Director, Communications, PR and CSR for French Group Pernod Ricard, a global co-leader in wine and spirits (Corby Spirit and Wine in Canada).
2. What was the inspiration for your career route?
Born and raised in the Champagne region (in Reims, France), working in this industry has always been a prestigious and exciting career to pursue. My parents have also always inspired me and encouraged me to achieve the best I could.
3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
I would mention two: my promotion to Director, a proud achievement as the youngest in Canada, as well as my election on the global Pernod Ricard’s “Youth Action Council,” an advisory group to the global CEO that allowed me to lead the creation of the Pernod Ricard Youth Network for employees under 30 in 55 affiliates of the Group.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
It’s the million dollar question! I hope to be able to continue to grow in communications and luxury.
5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
– Trust your instincts and judgment: all levels of the organization can benefit from your new generation’s perspective.
– Be 150% reliable: do what you say.
– Don’t burn bridges: build great relationships with the people surrounding you; the world is a small place!
– Bring passion, creativity, and great attitude to your work.
6. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
I support Women of Influence, which aims to empower women to strive for personal and professional success. I am very excited that with another female director in my company, Anna Seymour, we have just created a partnership with WOI for Corby to sponsor their Young Women of Influence Lunch series.
7. What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
The biggest one would have to be about working in a country different from the one I was raised in and, at first, adapting to different approaches. But I have to say it wasn’t too hard: the dynamic, friendly and open-minded Canadian workstyle is absolutely the best!
8. What does the word notable mean to you?
It means work, results and achievements speaking for themselves, building a better world, and having fun while doing it.
PLAY
1. Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
I’ll be cliché: La Société for a very nice dinner out, MoRoCo Chocolat for a decadent girl catch-up!
2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
Flipboard, an awesome mobile app to get all of your news and feeds in one place
Sugar from Robin Schulz (featuring Toronto’s Francesco Yates) is played these days on repeat – a habit I have with every new song I like (and thankfully which changes every few months!)
3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
Seth Godin: I love his bold and right-to-the-point blog; a fantastic vision with barrier-breaking ideas
4. What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
I’ll be cliché again and say France! It has not remained the first tourist destination in the world for nothing: the food, the fashion, the architecture, the people… but mostly, for me, it is a warm home where I get to spend quality time with my wonderful family.
5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
When it is bright and sunny outside and I am stuck inside for one reason or another. I know I cannot miss a day of warm temperatures and sun before the winter comes running back!
6. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Dessert and tea (yes, an English afternoon tea is as you can imagine for me: heaven!)
7. What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
Too much: travel. But life is made to be enjoyed to the fullest.
Not enough: would love contributing even more towards my retirement fund.
8. And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
Maybe I am a dreamer but I do believe in having it all: an exciting career, wonderful family, and healthy, long life. Our generation has the tools to do it. I think the secret recipe is to feel grateful for what you have, enjoy every day and small pleasures, and surround yourself with wonderful and kind people.
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