Cast members make Disney parks all over the world what they are today. They bring magic and joy to visitors from all over. Disneyland Paris shared an interview with Sophie Pedemonte, who has been a cast member since 1992.
What’s Happening:
Interview:
Could you introduce your profession in a few words?
- I am a Prevention Senior Manager, and I am part of the Safety and Risk Prevention department within the FOS (maintenance) division. I have four teams under my leadership, including the Safety Culture, Prevention and Operating Process, Quality Assurance and Quality Control teams, which bring together around forty Cast Members.
- Since 2012, I have also been in charge of implementing the Disney “Wild About Safety” program in France and across Europe.
- This program – which represents one of the biggest projects of my career – aims at raising awareness about risk prevention among children.
Can you tell us about your professional journey within the company? Why did you apply for a position at Disneyland Paris?
- I first enrolled in a Classical Studies program. At that time, my mother – who was already collaborating with Disney as part of her profession as a fashion designer – encouraged me to apply for a Food & Beverage hostess position prior to the grand opening of Disneyland Paris.
- I was hired at Silver Spur Steakhouse, where I got to serve former French President Jacques Chirac on opening day!
- I then had an opportunity to become a trainee manager at Café Hyperion, where I got to expand my expertise thanks to my team leaders, as my tasks were way different from those, I was assigned in a table service restaurant setting.
- Additionally, at the time, Café Hyperion was the counter service restaurant that served the largest number of meals in Europe.
- Thereafter, I was compelled to leave Operations teams due to health issues. I continued my journey within the Human Resources division, where I took on various roles that notably focused on the development of training courses for new Cast Members and guest satisfaction analysis.
- My career took a new turn when I joined the Safety division, and especially the “Safety Culture” team, whose mission consists of raising awareness and giving Cast Members the keys to adopt the right gestures for working in a safe environment every day.
- We also have implemented the “Wild About Safety” awareness-raising program and we were the first Disney Park in the world to promote it through the TV sets installed in our hotels.
Which teams do you collaborate with and how do you work together to ensure safety across the resort?
- I collaborate with many teams, especially with the Maintenance department that conducts its operations both during the day and at night.
- I also work alongside Operations teams. Communications teams also help us bring numerous projects to life.
- All of the teams play a role in ensuring safety at Disneyland Paris.
Can you tell us about a project or a measure that contributed to strengthening safety across the resort, and of which you are particularly proud?
- I am very proud of all of the projects we carry out in collaboration with passionate and engaged teams, but if I had to pick one, I would choose the safety culture project.
- Our role is to make Cast Members realize that it is important to follow safety instructions to protect oneself and that their behaviors and choices may have a life-saving impact.
- I am also particularly proud of the Disney Wild About Safety awareness-raising program, which is intended for children.
- Also, as part of the collaborative relationship we have had with the National Federation of Firefighters of France since 2016, we are going to raise awareness among children in schools.
- I think that if we manage to give children the keys to protect themselves in dangerous situations, our mission will be accomplished!