Virginie Dias Tagnon

Cap verdian by blood, Senegalese by birth, mother of 2 French – beninese teenagers boys, Virginie Dias Tagnon is a panafrican citizen with an international background. She lived 15 years in Senegal where she was born and raised, then 24 years in Paris, 2 years in India, 1 year in Norway and the last 2 years she has been living in South Africa.

Virginie Dias Tagnon is an HR senior expert with a strong business vision. After graduating a master in private law from university Paris Assas, she graduated a master in Human Resources from political sciences “Sciences Po Paris”. She started her career within Bolloré Group as HR manager for French overseas department. After 5 years, she joined Galeries Lafayette Group, the biggest department store in France as HR Director Supply Chain. 4 years later, she was offered new opportunity by l’Oreal Group, the leader of beauty in the world. Within L’Oreal, the last 10 years she has had 5 positions in 4 different countries.

She started as HR Director for operations in France, then she went in India to manage the expansion of travel retail business. This was her first business experience in an emerging market which make her become one of the most business oriented HR Director in Africa.

From India, she took the position of Country HR Director in Norway to set up one of the most beautiful headquarter in Europe. She came back in France as Learning & Development Director. Early 2016, her dream came true as she started her professional journey in Africa. She was appointed Talent Director Africa and she is now based in Johannesburg.

She defines herself as a citizen of the world who believes that Africa gave her opportunity to become who she is. Her ambition is to give back and contribute to the growth of the African continent.