Agricultural Engineer and graduate of a Master’s degree in Strategic Management of International Business from ESSEC, Elisabeth Gaillarde says she has learned, with humility, to navigate complexity throughout her career. She is Director of CSR & Compliance at Groupe Claire, which is comprised of several specialised entities that provide solutions for improving water network performance. She has agreed to share her beliefs and experience guiding sustainable transformation journeys.

E.S.B.: What is your background and what led you to become interested in CSR?

EG: “During my agricultural engineering studies in the 1990s, I became passionate about the balance between the farmer, their activity, their societal role, and their relationship with the environment. I chose a specialisation in environment, which was fairly unconventional then. This interest led me to pursue a PhD in environmental socio-economics, focusing on farmers' motivations to implement sustainable practices.

My career started in the public sector (INRA, Chambers of Agriculture), then at ADEME, where I co-developed the “Bilan Carbone®” alongside Jean-Marc Jancovici. There, I also discovered the importance of customer service. Drawing on these experiences, I transitioned into the private sector — first at Veolia, then at Colas (Bouygues Group).

Between these roles, I enriched my profile with an Executive Master’s degree from ESSEC to deepen my knowledge of international business. I then entered entrepreneurial waters through an impact fund project and consulting in CSR. For the past year, I have been leading CSR and Compliance at Groupe Claire, a company committed to conserving water resources.”

E.S.B.: CSR — in your daily life, what does it mean to you?

EG: “CSR means always being conscious of my choices — understanding why I make them and owning their consequences.
With this approach, I am far from a perfect role model, but I live in harmony with myself and my contribution to the world — as a ‘little hummingbird.’
I try to be more mindful of my ‘shadow’ (in other words, my ability to influence and motivate) rather than just my carbon footprint, because that's where I can make the most significant impact.”

E.S.B.: How do you define CSR?

EG: “I define CSR as a strategic approach to embedding sustainability at the core of a company's operations.
It involves understanding the ecosystem's constraints and future trends to develop innovative and durable solutionswhile engaging teams and stakeholders in the transformation.
This systemic view is essential — it's the framework within which corporate responsibility operates.
I’d gladly rename CSR to Systemic Company Responsibility!”

E.S.B.: How is it a business catalyst and what kind of return can we expect from it?

EG: “CSR is a key business catalyst. It lets companies respond to stakeholders’ sustainability expectations and find new growth opportunities.
By integrating CSR into their business models, companies become more resilient and perform better, while positively contributingto society.
The greatest return — demonstrated by numerous studies — is that this systemic approach helps companies better anticipate and manage risks.”

E.S.B.: What would you like to say to ESSEC Club Alumni and others?

EG: “My message to alumni is that this systemic view of the ecological and social transition is a collective challenge that requires everyone’s engagement.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a manager, or a consultant, you have a role to play.
Don’t be afraid to innovate, question established models, and collaborate with others to create a positive impact.
Together, we can build a sustainable and inclusive future — viewed this way, CSR is a source of happiness!”