Mrs. Ilham Moustachir Exclusive Interview – Do Not Be Afraid To Follow Your Own Path

Mrs. Ilham Moustachir was recently interviewed by RootsAndRoutesMag.com and below is the Q&A session we had with Ilham.

Mrs. Ilham Moustachir As Cover Story Interview – March 2026 Edition

Personal Journey

I was born and raised in Morocco, where I completed all my schooling. I obtained a scientific baccalaureate before pursuing two years of studies at a private business school.

At the age of twenty, I made the life-changing decision to move to France to continue my studies and broaden my horizons. Leaving my country, my family, and everything familiar behind was a deeply formative experience. For the first time, I found myself alone in a new society that sometimes felt more individualistic than the environment in which I had grown up.

That period required me to develop independence and resilience very early in life. Although the loneliness was difficult at first, it taught me to rely on myself and to move forward with determination.

After completing my studies in France, I joined a large corporate group where I spent the next thirty years of my professional life. It was my first company, and it remained my professional home throughout my entire career. Over the years, I held several positions of responsibility, including management controller, project manager, general delegate for security, and eventually director of one of the group’s subsidiaries.

Alongside my professional career, I gradually became involved in community and civic life. I served as president of a federation of parents’ associations, partly to stay closely engaged with the educational journey of my only child. During this time, I also created a women’s circle after realizing that women often carry a double responsibility – both within their families and in their professional lives. The aim of this circle was to encourage women to support one another and to affirm their place in a world that still remains largely male-dominated.

My commitment later led me to become president of a Local Council for Community Life, bringing together nearly one hundred sports, cultural, and social associations.

In 2008, I entered local politics and was elected Deputy Mayor in charge of economic development, employment, vocational training, commerce, and projects linked to the Grand Paris initiative in a city of 27,000 inhabitants.

During my second term, I was elected Vice-President of an inter-municipal community representing six cities and 167,000 residents, where I was responsible for economic development. Following a merger with another inter-municipal structure, I continued serving as Vice-President – this time in charge of employment – within a larger agglomeration of forty-two cities and more than 350,000 inhabitants.

In this role, I also held several additional responsibilities: President of the House of Employment, Vice-President of the Economic Development Agency, Vice-President of the Local Youth Employment Mission, Vice-President of an endowment fund created in partnership with Aéroports de Paris and neighboring municipalities, and board member of several organizations supporting entrepreneurship.

After twelve years of political engagement, I chose to step back in 2019-2020 to create my own company and dedicate more time to my family, while also taking the opportunity to reflect on my journey and the values that guide my commitments.

This period allowed me to gain perspective and to better understand certain realities of political life and society. Today, I remain engaged in public life, convinced that integrity, a strong sense of collective responsibility, and respect for diversity are essential to building a more balanced society.

In 2025, I returned to politics to support a candidate who, in my view, possesses both the vision and the capacity needed to bring meaningful change at the national level.

I also currently serve as Secretary General of the Observatory of Diversity. This commitment reflects a belief that has guided me throughout my life: diversity – whether cultural, social, or religious – is a source of richness for a nation. When it is understood, respected, and valued, it becomes a genuine strength for society.

A Major Challenge

Throughout my life, I have faced many challenges – personal, professional, and public. Each stage of my journey has required courage, perseverance, and a strong capacity for adaptation.

One of the earliest and most significant challenges was leaving Morocco at the age of twenty to build a life in France. I was the first person in my family to take such a step. It was both a dream and a great responsibility. I had to learn to live independently, adapt to a new culture, find my place, and build a future from the ground up.

Later, new challenges appeared through my professional career, my civic engagement, and my political responsibilities. I did not always succeed on the first attempt, but I never lost my determination.

For me, perseverance has always meant one thing: never giving up and seeing things through to the end. Over time, I learned to transform obstacles into experiences – and those experiences into strength.

A Moment of Pride

There have been many moments of pride throughout my life. Every challenge overcome and every fall followed by the courage to stand up again represents a personal victory.

Yet my greatest pride lies elsewhere: in having succeeded in my life as a woman, a wife, and a mother. Despite the many responsibilities I carried in my professional, associative, and political roles, I always tried to maintain a balance between public responsibilities and family life.

For me, success is not measured only by titles or positions, but by the ability to maintain harmony between these different parts of life.

My greatest achievement has been raising my only son and giving him a strong education and solid human values. Seeing him grow into a responsible, respectful, and accomplished man is the greatest reward and the deepest pride of my life.

Daily Motivation

What motivates me every day is the conviction that each person can contribute, in their own way, to improving society.

I believe that even modest actions can have a meaningful impact when they are guided by values such as respect, solidarity, and responsibility.

I also deeply believe in collective engagement. Major progress is never achieved alone – it comes from women and men who choose to get involved, share their experiences, and work together for the common good.

Another value that is very important to me is transmission. Throughout my journey, I have always tried to encourage and support others. If my experience can inspire or guide someone else on their path, then I believe my commitment has meaning.

Contribution to the Community

Through my various engagements, I have always tried to contribute to my community, whether directly or indirectly.

This has taken many forms: supporting parents through my role as president of a federation of parents’ associations, helping improve the educational environment for students, and creating a women’s circle to support and encourage women.

My commitment has also been expressed in community life, where I sought to assist associations when they needed support, as well as through my role as an elected representative – particularly by working on employment and youth integration.

At every stage, my actions have been guided by a simple conviction: to contribute, as much as possible, to the collective good and to support those who need it.

Message to Readers

My message is simple: believe in your potential and do not be afraid to follow your own path. Every person carries a unique and valuable story. Even when challenges appear difficult, they can become opportunities for growth.

Identity and Heritage

My cultural identity and origins have profoundly shaped my worldview. They have taught me the importance of traditions, respect, and diversity. They also remind me that our roots are a strength that helps us move forward while remaining connected to who we truly are.

A Life Lesson

One of the most important lessons life has taught me is that challenges are often our greatest teachers. They force us to adapt, to grow stronger, and to discover inner resources we did not know we possessed.

Inspiration

My inspiration often comes from people who have managed to transform difficulties into success. Stories of resilience, inspiring books, and meaningful encounters have all contributed to shaping the way I see the world.

Vision for the Future

The future of our world sometimes concerns me. We live in a time marked by many tensions, and it often feels as if the idea of peace is gradually losing its place among society’s priorities.

Yet peace is precisely the value that seems most essential today. At my own level, I hope to continue promoting values of dialogue, respect, and understanding between individuals and cultures.

My wish for the future is to share these convictions, inspire others, and contribute – however modestly – to promoting a culture of peace. I deeply believe that each of us, through our actions and commitments, can help build a more peaceful and humane world.

Impact

The change I would most like to see in the world is greater understanding, respect, and solidarity between cultures and individuals. When we truly take the time to listen to one another, we realize how much we can learn from each other.

Roots & Routes

For me, “Roots” represent my history, my origins, and the values that have been passed down to me.“Routes” symbolize the path I choose to follow – the experiences I live and the encounters that enrich my life.