GABA Team Interview: Rebecca Engola

Meet Rebecca Engola, Assistant General Counsel at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. and a long-time member of the GABA community. With a career spent supporting diverse business teams, she brings a thoughtful and collaborative approach to her work. In this interview, Rebecca talks about her path into law, her love for cross-cultural experiences, and the welcoming moment that made her feel at home at GABA.

Please tell us a bit about yourself and what you do!
I’ve spent most of my career as an in-house counsel (company lawyer) at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc., where I am Assistant General Counsel. I love being in house because you support and learn from diverse business teams, from Sales and Marketing to IT and Finance. We each have our own pressures, which shape our priorities. That dynamic gets us to the right place.

What’s a fun fact about you?
Long ago, I visited Ireland on my own. I loved the country and experiences, but the highlight was meeting someone from Hamburg who is now a close friend in the rental car line. The lowlight was damaging a wheel on my first day, a hard way to learn that curbs are much higher in Ireland.

What’s been your most memorable experience with GABA so far?
I could write pages about the many amazing events I’ve been to, but the most memorable is still my first, attending a Stammtisch. On top of being nervous about going to an event where I knew no one, I was embarrassed that I didn’t speak German.  I thought people would wonder why I was there. I could not have been more wrong: it was a welcoming crowd where people graciously pivoted to English.

What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about other cultures, which is why a friend recommended GABA years ago. There’s a reason I have volunteered here for so long: it attracts diverse professionals from virtually all corners of the economy. I am constantly amazed at what people have accomplished, especially those moving here from other countries, and they are generous in sharing their experiences. You make valuable contacts, but more than anything, it’s a great deal of fun.  You don’t have to be from Germany or speak German; just have an interest and show up!