Career Tip of the Week

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thought-leadershipThis Week’s Tip Is…

“You, according to you” and “You, according to them” can sometimes differ for various reasons- social identity such as being a woman being one example. How do you close the gap between what you know you are capable of and your perceived skills by others? Design a plan to show and tell.

Welcome to Career Tip of the Week. In this column we aim to provide you with a useful snippet of advice to carry with you all week as you navigate the day to day path in your career.

By Nicki Gilmour, Executive Coach and Organizational Psychologist

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Voice of Experience: Frances Ni, Partner, Perella Weinberg Partners

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Frances Ni“When senior women get together, we tend to share our feelings about our work, but I encourage my peers to turn the support into action to help others,” says Frances Ni, a partner at Perella Weinberg Partners.

Throughout her career, mentoring others has been an important goal for Ni, given the support she herself has always received.

When Ni arrived in the United States from China, she didn’t have a clear focus for what she wanted to do so she did what many in a similar situation do: went back to school. Based on her exceptional scores, a professor recommended she enter an honors program, and she earned a full-time job in public accounting at PwC after an internship.

While she enjoyed her work auditing and conducting due diligence for M&A deals and partnering with clients, she decided that her public accounting career would benefit from a stint in the private sector to get an idea of that side of the business, which is how she began her career in asset management. She joined Perella Weinberg the year it launched in 2006, as one of its first employees, and in 2014 was named a partner.

A Talented Team

While she is proud of becoming a partner, she knows that her success has come in large part from a talented, cohesive team. “It’snot a one-man show, and I am proud that I have been able to recruit and retain such exceptional talent over the years,” she said.

Ni appreciates that the firm puts as much value on the back office as the front office, where revenue is generated and which is often the sole focus of many firms. In fact, the partner who nominated her said that when he raised her name, there were no objections. “Being named partner really made me feel all the hard work was worth it,” she says. “It’s the recognition and acknowledgement that I have achieved something important.”

Currently, one of Ni’s focus is working with the compliance team on understanding the industry’s changing regulatory environment and related reporting. She believes the industry is going through a fundamental transition. She finds her firm to be well positioned to weather what can be perceived as a costly and challenging change because they have been solid in the areas of regularly reporting. “I have heard others struggling with implementation but we have always run a tight ship,” she says. “While I believe that there will be challenges, higher entrance barrier and even consolidation in this business, it will ultimately come down to the strength of the organization.”

Advice from the Top

Ni knows that every step along her career path has made her a better professional. “While there are some things that I wish I had known earlier, looking back I am glad I didn’t do anything differently despite all the ups and downs. If I hadn’t made the mistakes, I wouldn’t have learned the lessons,” she says.

A lesson she thinks is vitally important for women to take to heart is to understand that they shouldn’t take criticism personally. “You can’t appear to be emotional,” she says. “Early on in my career I received valuable advice to always walk around with your head and chin up.”

Even with the strides that have been made, Ni sees thatwomen are underrepresented in the industry. Some are put off by what they perceive as a “boy’s club,” and others find that the intensity of the work, travel and hours take their toll.

She did not feel the effect of a “glass ceiling” at the beginning of her career. “I heard stories and warnings when I started in the industry, but at that time, I didn’t feel its impact. Maybe was a little bit ignorant and just jumped in,” she says. However, as she advanced, she started to see the pressure but believed the general environment, awareness and willingness to advance women in the industry “has improved compared to a decade ago.” She believes that if she focuses on the good, then she will find the good.

An Additional Layer for Networking Success

According to Ni, the professional women who preceded her and her peers pioneered a more female-friendly work place, and they owe it to them to continue.

“These women paved 2/3 of the way, but we need to do the rest,” Ni says. She believes that women can make a big difference by being more actively involved in networking with others, and to her that means going beyond inspirational speakers to something more actionable. While she knows that women can benefit from hearing about the path women took to achieve success, she thinks women need to go the extra step: how can women help each other beyond just sharing their stories.

Ni sees in her own company a focus on recruiting, retaining and developing women.

The firm started a Women’s Initiative a few years ago that is unique in its structure of inviting all the partners – male and female – to participate, which allows junior women to get to know the partners with whom they might not always interact in the course of a busy work day.

“This allows for more informal networking and a better working relationship in a situation where younger women might be intimidated by the partners,” Ni said.

Another way that Ni helps with retention of younger professionals is to allow them to take a course related to their position. “They appreciate that the firm wants to invest in them,” she said, adding that she is always dedicated to supporting her team with their professional and personal goals.

Outside the Office

With a husband who works in Boston, Ni focuses on quality time with her family whenever she can, which often includes travel. She is also very focused on education, having worked with Junior Achievement and other educational endeavors and is formulating plans to bridge the needs of schools in China and her current community to ensure that all children receive the education that will propel them to success.

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Mover & Shaker: Josephine Shin, Senior Vice President and High Yield Portfolio Manager, Senior Research Analyst, Alcentra, a BNY Mellon Investment Management boutique

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Josephine Shin“Never lose your initial curiosity to learn,” advises Josephine Shin. “Stay engaged, and get outside of your comfort zone because that’s when you learn.”

Shin’s curiosity is what led her to a somewhat alternative path in the finance industry. At the University of Pennsylvania she pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Women’s Studies and Sociology, rather than the finance degree that was so prevalent.

But then upon graduation, she found herself surrounded by people asking how she was going to parlay that course of study into a career.

“There were doubts from peers about my choices, but I think it was the best path I could have taken. I got to spend those four years studying something of interest, communicating and formulating my own views even if they were out of consensus, being challenged by others and at the same time staying open to new ideas. Now I am putting those skillsets to work every day professionally and pursuing a profession that I truly enjoy. Shin said. She believes that spending those early years questioning and debating with an open mind allows her to bring a different perspective and to find value in places that may be overlooked.

With an interest in both quantitative and qualitative aspects, Shin joined an investment management company as a fixed income credit analyst. She describes it as an intense time to jump in as everyone was dealing with the effects of the “tech bubble” and 9/11, but a time where she learned valuable skills especially because bottoms-up fundamental analysis of credit was in such high demand. Though the firm she was working for was one where most people tended to stay “for life,” she yearned to be in the heart of New York and, ultimately, moved to work for another firm in a more senior role.

After several years, Shin went to work with a former colleague, but a year later, Lehman Brothers imploded and a majority of her team was dismantled within two weeks. That experience had a profound effect on her. “My comfort zone was shaken. That made me realize that I had gotten too comfortable and started to identify myself with where I work and what I do professionally,” she said. “That’s when I realized that I love what I do but that shouldn’t define who I am,” a lesson that has helped her throughout her career and personal life.

At that point, she decided to return to her roots in investment management and joined Alcentra, part of BNY Mellon, where she’s been for more than six years.

Paving Her Own Path

Shin says the career achievement she’s proudest of is her overall resilience in the face of naysayers and forging her own path even if it meant not following the most conventional options. From the major she pursued, to her desire to move from a comfortable job to New York, she has questioned taking at face value what the majority told her was “the right thing,” in favor of what was the right thing for her. “I listened to myself, and then spoke up to negotiate what I wanted.”

And throughout her career, she has appreciated the path she chose. “I’m in the perfect job for me; you have to be quick and nimble to act, yet have a strong fundamental view because every day there is something new about companies that I’m investing in.” She relishes her new role of portfolio management and the global platform the firm offers because it gives her a strong vantage point to integrate micro and macro data into innovative ideas for her clients.

Shin naturally gravitates toward mentors who share her affinity for making their voice heard, and her professional role models embody that quality at the highest level. She says, “If you find a mentor or sponsor in your workplace who takes time to give you honest feedback on how you can continue to grow in your career without plateauing, appreciate that gift because it is rare. It’s how we grow. Also, stay humble and ask for honest feedback. I have that in my current job and it’s been hugely inspirational for me.”

One of Shin’s early influences is Betty Friedan, whose work helped shape her belief in the importance of challenging the consensus view. “To be an outperformer in this business, it’s vital to have your own voice and thoughts,” Shin said.

She also named Judith Rodin, the first women president of an Ivy League university. Rodin was president while Shin attended Penn. “She is an inspiration to me because she not only relishes in her success, but does not shy away from mistakes or moments of failure in her career and life. I respect that humble dichotomy. She’s a great role model.”

Building Bonds

Shin has been involved in WIN (Women’s Initiative Network), a resource for the professional development and advancement of women at BNY Mellon. She also participates in the Penn Alumnae Women’s group. Her participation with both organizations underscores her belief in the importance of continuing to cultivate a robust network. She has experienced firsthand how the industry can change fast and that it’s vital to have a network already set up.

At the same time, she is cognizant of the fact that when you are employed, it’s compassionate to take a moment to help out others since you never know when you will need support. She especially believes in giving opportunities to women who might not have cookie cutter backgrounds, because they bring a different perspective that can enhance any organization or team.

Shin says she is grateful for her family’s support system. Naming her husband as her biggest supporter, she is also very close to her brother, mother and extended family. On the home front, Shin has a two-and-a-half year old daughter, whom she says is not only the apple of her eye, but makes her a more compassionate and well-rounded person. “I used to take for granted those days I could work into the wee hours at night, but now I have a better understanding of other working mothers. On the other hand, my efficiency has become incredible.”

By Cathie Ericson

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Intrepid Woman: Patricia Kozu, Executive Director, Ascend

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Patricia Kozu“My career would appear to be random but in reality it is not; the common thread is leveraging strengths,” says Patricia Kozu, executive director for Ascend, a membership organization that serves 60,000 pan Asian members through 17 professional chapters and 30 student chapters.

After studying math and quantitative analysis, Kozu pursued a job in technology, which she followed up with stints covering a diverse landscape of functions — operations, finance, marketing, product management and business development. And not only were the functions diverse, so were the industries — from telecommunications to consumer packaged goods to financial service. Now she is in the world of nonprofits, which had been her ultimate goal, joining Ascend November 2014.

“I wanted to have the most well-rounded background possible when I entered the nonprofit world where generally we need to wear many different hats,” Kozu says, describing her path.

Ascend’s goal is to help Pan Asians at all phases of their career develop and achieve their leadership potential. According to Kozu, “From students looking for their first job to executives who want to be on corporate boards, we make it easier for them to get involved and benefit from our programs and give back to the community.”

Having just joined the organization, Kozu has a plan in place. “I’ve always been proud when I implement new ideas or find new ways to do things,” she says, adding that her technique is to find the low-hanging fruit to start off with immediate results, then look for opportunities farther out. So, for example, she knows that Ascend, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, wants to grow its reach but first they have to make sure the infrastructure is up to speed, that the databases and what they use to support members are in place and are strong.

Culture and Gender are Not Invisible

As a third-generation Japanese Asian American, Kozu began her career assuming her gender and ethnicity weren’t relevant, because of her education and experience. “Since I’d worked at brand name companies and had always been focused on professional development, I saw myself as a competent executive. But I soon learned that others bring their own narrative to my story and might see me first as Asian or as a woman. Now, I see that my Asian heritage is an important part of who I am and others can benefit when I share my experience.”

Right now, she’s proud to be releasing results of Ascend’s latest research project called Hidden in Plain Sight, which sheds light on culture and gender. The results are derived from data from six Silicon Valley companies that made their data public. The final analysis was that race has an even bigger impact than gender. She says they found that white men and women have a higher ratio of leadership roles than Asian men, and Asian women have the fewest. She also notes that less than 2 percent of Fortune 100 board seats are held by Pan Asians, and less than ½ of 1 percent of philanthropic dollars go to Asian organizations, even though Asians are the fastest-growing segment of the United States.

“Ascend is shining a light on important issues and providing recommendations,” Kozu says. “We want to continue to move the needle and demonstrate the value of embracing diversity and inclusion. When there’s diversity at the decision-making table, both in gender and culture, the decisions are better.”

Celebrate the Differences

For women beginning their careers, Kozu advises that they make an effort not to blend in; but rather to leverage their differences. She cites Madeleine Albright and her penchant for colorful pins that would spark conversation. “I’ll see a group of young women all dressed in their black suits and I want them to know it’s ok to celebrate your own individuality.” And, of course, she adds, it’s not just about appearances. Speaking up with that different voice is beneficial for the individual and the organization.

Along with Ascend, women-focused organizations can help. Kozu joined the well-established Financial Women’s Association in the 1980s but believes that an organization like Ascend is very relevant and knows it would have been beneficial earlier in her career.

She urges women to consider using volunteer work at nonprofits as an excellent way to develop their skills and leadership techniques.

Each Ascend chapter has officers and committees so there are myriad ways to try something new, whether it’s learning more about marketing or fundraising. “There is always something to learn, and you never know how your volunteer work can help in your business life,” she says.

Kozu notes that she was able to make the move from the corporate to the nonprofit world by honing her skills as a volunteer providing mentoring, tutoring and then as a board member at a variety of nonprofits.

Mentoring also helped make her a better manager, since the questions her mentees ask offer insight into their perspective as young people entering the work force.

“The message I like to give is that it’s not a one-way street. I’ve learned so much from the women I have mentored, and stay in touch as they move on in their careers.”

Diversity includes age, of course, as well. “I am inspired when I see men and women reaching across generations to share their stories.”

Currently, Kozu continues her volunteer work as a member of the steering committee for the Asian Women Giving Circle, where they fund art projects devoted to social justice issues, such as violence and bias.

“We can talk about these issues all day, but that only appeals to the head. Having an arts project that shines light on these issues and appeals to the heart as well can be so powerful.”

By Cathie Ericson

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Mover and Shaker: Tasneem Hajara, Director, Online, Mobile and Social Channels, TIAA-CREF

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Tasneem“Take risks, fail fast, tell your story and build partnerships,” says Tasneem Hajara, director of online, mobile and social channels for TIAA-CREF. Hajara’s advice stems from a fast-paced career path spanning roles and continents.

Hajara began her career path in India, where she earned a master’s degree in computer science before joining a startup. She found that a startup, with its exciting work and passionate mentors, to be the ideal foundation from which to launch her career.

“It was fast paced, and that’s the type of environment in which I thrive,” Hajara said of the experience.

Then, in a move which she describes as destiny, Hajara was sent on a two-month assignment to the United States, where she met her husband, and subsequently stayed. She became a consultant, which opened up a new path for her future. “Back in India, I had been leading a team and now I was an individual contributor again in a foreign location. I had to relearn the work environment and understand the differences in culture.”

She joined Merrill Lynch, where she stayed for nine years, steadily earning promotions. Hajara soon became vice president of their online technology group and was responsible for the retirement benefits online and mobile channels. She then joined TIAA-CREF, where she is responsible for the Sole Recording Keeping Online platform. Additionally, Hajara leads the social and mobile platforms, a key business for the company, and most recently was asked to help lead the Digital transformation efforts at TIAA-CREF.

She says that it’s an exciting time to be pursuing a career in technology, given how technology is disrupting and creating new business value and how it is virtually shaping everything in business. And that brings challenges, too. “We have to be prepared because we don’t know where our competition is coming from. You have to be at your ‘A’ game at all times.”

An Affinity for Startup Culture

Looking back, she credits her time at the fast-paced, delivery-oriented startup environment with having a major impact on her. Telling one anecdote, Hajara remembers surprising the entire team when she was a developer doing systems programming work. She was tasked with gathering an effort estimate for a pre-sales tool for a product that the startup was selling. Instead of returning with the expected plan and estimate, she actually produced a working tool in two days, a feat which earned her great recognition early on in her career.

“You have this energy when you’re young and the startup environment encourages innovation. They had projected it would take two months to build the complete sales tool, but I just worked until it was done,” Hajara said.

It was at the startup that she learned to take risks and experiment. As she works on the digital transformation program, one of Hajara’ s goals at TIAA-CREF is to bring a sense of the Silicon Valley culture to a large organization. “It’s an interesting culture shift that won’t be easy, but we believe that we will get there.”

Lessons Learned

During her career, Hajara became cognizant of the importance of ensuring that others know the good work that you are doing. “Because of my technology background, I was always a doer, but I missed out on the sales component,” she reflects, adding that she just expected that people would understand how hard she was working.

As she navigated the work world, Hajara also found that an unconscious bias exists; something she believes that women should be aware of, but not see as a limiting factor. “Women in general are hard on themselves,” she said. “We have a lot of expectations on ourselves and we also tend to set goals that are less aspirational, as compared to men. We might have the capabilities, but we are more careful of where we set our sights.”

For that reason, she thinks it is important that women take big risks, because the bigger the risk, the bigger the result. But, she cautions, “There will always be new goals so don’t get too caught up in chasing them. Take people along with you and build partnerships; enjoy the journey.”

Hajara believes it’s important for women to mentor one another and is involved in programs at TIAA-CREF that support diversity, such as the IT diversity and inclusion council.

“I enjoy being able to share what I learned trying to immerse myself into another culture. I think it’s important to bring similar experiences to the attention of others who are in the same boat and might be struggling. Ultimately we can learn from each other.”

Outside of work, Hajara enjoys spending time with her two daughters, ages twelve and seven. She also loves to travel and garden. “I have an emotional attachment to gardening, you could say. It’s very gratifying to see something you’ve planted grow, and just working in the garden is relaxing. It’s a highly rewarding activity.”

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Career Tip of the Week

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woman sitting at deskThis Week’s Tip Is…

Waiting for a promotion? Think about what you have actively done in the past 3 months to ensure your boss/manager/sponsors knows you want to move head to the next level.

Welcome to Career Tip of the Week. In this column we aim to provide you with a useful snippet of advice to carry with you all week as you navigate the day to day path in your career.

By Nicki Gilmour, Executive Coach and Organizational Psychologist

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Jo Natauri, Partner, Investment Banking Division, Goldman Sachs

Jo NatauriWomen in the work force need to make an effort not to be so hard on themselves, says Jo Natauri, a partner at Goldman Sachs. “You have to accept that you won’t be functioning at 100% in all aspects of your life all the time. Sometimes you are a 100% mother or wife, and sometimes you’re 100% at your job, but often it will be somewhere in between. You have to be ok with pushing and pulling levers in your life, rather than going full bore on all of them at the same time. Frankly it’s a balance you have to acknowledge irrespective of your gender.”

Intersection of Healthcare and Finance

During her time as an undergrad at the University of Virginia, Natauri’s interests shifted from pursuing a career practicing medicine to one in finance. Working with a quadriplegic while in school, she was struck by the many difficulties he was having obtaining adequate medical care, as well as the financial means to cover it. “Seeing an accomplished individual still having these issues changed my course. I realized I wanted to be involved in healthcare in a meaningful way on the business side.”

Because of previous coursework, she had the flexibility to earn a degree in both economics and biology, and went into investment banking. Her plan when she started in 1998 was to spend time learning and understanding the business side and then eventually transition into policy, but instead she has spent her entire career in various roles in the healthcare business. She started at Goldman in 2006 as a vice president, and became a managing director in 2008 and partner in 2012.

Natauri is excited by her work on transactions in the sector with cutting-edge companies that are focused on helping people and curing diseases. “The altruistic component to the finance I’m doing is really important to me,” she says, “And, due to the profound changes in healthcare, the industry will continue to offer new opportunities.”

Passion = Success

Though Natauri has always felt a passion for the finance industry, she suggests young women who might be considering a career in banking recognize the demands the job may have on personal time. She says though work in investment banking can be all consuming, she likes working with smart people who want to make decisions quickly and produce the best work for clients.

She shares a passion for her work with the other women with whom she interacts in Goldman’s robust mentoring groups. “I was pleasantly surprised when I came here to see how important mentoring is, both formally and informally.”

She finds mentoring particularly helpful in addressing one of the main challenges she sees for women in the industry — the limited number of female role models at the higher levels. “If you haven’t seen a lot of women in senior positions, which I didn’t, you might feel pressured to mimic the few examples you do see instead of forging your own path, which can be challenging if that doesn’t match your personality,” Natauri said. “You have to figure out what success looks like for you, without having the benefit of a large number of role models.”

Natauri knows that success doesn’t come immediately, which also can be challenging when first starting your career. “When you’re young, you are promptly rewarded for good grades and hard work, and then you find when you enter the corporate world that it’s not as linear,” she says. “You have to have patience that your trajectory will take off.”

A Heart for Kids

Natauri spends much of her time away from work with her husband and their three children, ages four, two and one. She was also formerly on the board of a nonprofit organization called Everybody Wins, which she describes as a cross between literacy advocacy and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. The organization brings professionals to low-income schools to mentor and read to kids. “I’m a practical person at heart so I really appreciated its mission of getting busy people involved in an impactful way with the limited time they have available.”

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Mover and Shaker: Molly Tu, Thomson Reuters, Director of Business Planning and Operations

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Molly TuMolly Tu is a strong believer that you can get everything you want, but just not at the same time. For her, workwise, that means understanding that early in your career you might be able to go up like a rocket, but then at certain points you have to be more flexible and adapt your plan, constantly re-evaluating and re-defining what success is for you at any given moment.

Tu started her career working for two large professional firms in China but satisfied her desire to experience the world by coming to the United States to attend business school at Columbia. After graduation, she decided she wanted to turn her career path to the corporate side, and recognizing the potential in the information industry, she started with Thomson Reuters’ rotational program. There she experienced everything from M&A to investor relations to product management, ultimately deciding to join global account management, a division whose goal is to constantly assess how to deliver increased value to Thomson Reuters’ largest customers. There she spearheaded the Geneva Program, for which she received the 2014 Chairman’s Award.

And, less than a year ago, she was named to her current role, where she is tasked with rolling out the Geneva Program companywide.

“I have always viewed my experience here as similar to working in a startup, but still being part of a large company,” Tu says. “It is very satisfying to transform business processes and also help customers at the same time.”

“I have always viewed my experience here as similar to working in a startup, but still being part of a large company,”

Sponsors in the Workplace; Role Models Close to Home

Tu knows that sponsorship is key to corporate success. “As I grew in my career, my mentors and sponsors were the people who directed me to look at new things in different ways, and that vision got me to places I would not have otherwise.”

She’s often asked how to find a sponsor, but her experience is like many — professionals don’t seek out their own sponsor, but rather it happens in a more organic process that usually involves managers with whom you’ve worked or who otherwise are familiar with your work and want to champion the traits you offer that will allow you to succeed in increasingly responsible roles.

“At the end of the day, sponsorship comes from faith in you as a person, and there has to be an accumulation of experience to build that trust.”

In terms of role models, Tu found hers much closer to home — her grandma. Tu has always been inspired by how she puts her heart and soul into work about which she is highly passionate, including risking her life in the founding of new China. When she retired, she raised money on her own to preserve folk music in her area of China.

“Her passion and satisfaction remind me to always focus on what is meaningful,” Tu says, and that includes defining success by pursuing something you love. “Even if your life might appear to be successful in the eyes of those around you, deep in your heart you won’t be satisfied if you’re not doing something you love.”

She notes a famous quote by Confucius that sums up that philosophy. “Choose a job you love, and you won’t have to work a single day in your life.”

Different, Yet the Same

Throughout her working life, Tu has frequently found herself in environments quite different from where she came from, and that has led to many observations about adapting to these differences. But then she finds that she soon spies commonalties amidst the differences and has realized that people are fundamentally very similar.

“Seeing the commonality helps me address challenges with other people,” she says, adding that her work to reshape the company’s business practices would be unimaginable if she wasn’t able to find the similarities in cultures and genders.

Her company has a strong focus on diversity, including many programs for women. One in which she has been active is the Leadership Program for Women (LPW), which is a training program and forum where women across regions, functions and businesses form a community to bring in professional trainers twice a year. “There are unspoken business rules pertaining to women so this group finds professionals who really know the space and can share what’s happening and how we can maximize and leverage our positions.” She also helps plan events as part of Women at TR, which is designed to develop the talents and champion the contributions of female employees, thus promoting women as equal partners in the success, achievement, and profitability of Thomson Reuters.

“There are unspoken business rules pertaining to women so this group finds professionals who really know the space and can share what’s happening and how we can maximize and leverage our positions.”

One example related to the Geneva Project, where women volunteer to apply their specific skills to understand and better position different products for the company’s largest customers.

“Sometimes women tend to get tied up 100 percent with their current task and don’t always look at other opportunities. Being involved in these types of projects allow you to build your network, for example by having the chance to interview sales people and customers, to extract the information we need that will be useful to others.”

Juggling Work and Family

Away from the office, Tu focuses on her 16-month old daughter. She has found that balancing work and family responsibilities has helped her view her career in a more strategic way, knowing that there are times that you won’t be able to focus 100 percent on her career. However, it also drives women to become more effective and prioritize better; in short, to work smarter rather than harder.

“I feel lucky for the advice I’ve gotten, often as part of the women’s groups, on how you have to work with your partner to focus on balance.” As many senior women leaders have told her, they can only do what they do because they have a supportive spouse. She has realized that whether it’s work or family, more gets done when everyone works together.

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Career Tip of the Week

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networkingThis Week’s Tip Is…

Networking in a productive way

Have a think about the last 2-3 networking events that you attended and go back over your contacts from that meeting. Did you maximize those connections? If not, go back and make a few lunch or coffee dates or even send them an email framing an idea that could be mutually useful to you both.

Welcome to Career Tip of the Week. In this column we aim to provide you with a useful snippet of advice to carry with you all week as you navigate the day to day path in your career.

By Nicki Gilmour, Executive Coach and Organizational Psychologist

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Voice of Experience: Betty Ng, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, Moody’s

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Betty NgFulfilling careers may evolve as a lattice rather than a ladder, believes Betty Ng, senior vice president for the corporate development team at Moody’s. “You have to be open to different opportunities while still being true to yourself. Your career success is often heavily attributed to the efforts of others, so in turn, I believe you have a responsibility to help others.”

Ng’s high school career vision was to pursue the field of international corporate law, which combined a variety of elements that interested her. Though she ultimately chose a different journey, she was able to create a career that still mirrored those interests through seeking challenging, fulfilling leadership roles at international firms.

After earning a B.A. in Economics with a focus on international relations from Stanford University, she began her career with Arthur Andersen in the San Francisco and Beijing offices. Though she earned her CPA license, she didn’t want to devote her career to accounting, so she attended Harvard Business School for an MBA to enhance her general management and leadership skills, and then worked at Amex managing product and international program office initiatives.

Career Success through Networking

In 2004, a friend referred her to Citigroup where her interview catapulted her into an M&A execution role. This was an early lesson in being open to any opportunity, since although she had never thought about a career in mergers and acquisitions, the hiring manager convinced her that she had all the skills and experience she needed to be successful, including finance, international business, leadership, project management and foreign language. In fact, Ng found it to be the perfect role to leverage her skills and interests.

After a brief hiatus to be with her children, a former colleague at Citigroup hired her into Moody’s where she is now a senior vice president for corporate development, leading M&A and other strategic initiatives.
This experience leads her to offer the advice to women toalways be at your best since you never know who’s watching you and when your paths will cross again.And that means that in addition to delivering great work products, you have to focus on building relationships and expanding your networks.

“You want to be the first person someone thinks of for that job or assignment that can help you advance your career,” Ng says. She believes a crucial element of that is executive presence, a skill she believes can be learned and developed. “Have an open mind about enhancements that can impact your personal brand and success,” she says.

“Paying it forward”

Diversity is very important to Ng, who appreciates that Moody’s has a wide variety of programs and initiatives to support a diverse workplace, from women to LGBTA to multiple cultures to veterans.

Ng devotes time to two important groups: she is co-chair of Moody’s Women’s Employee Resource Group in New York and is concurrently working with other Asian professionals to develop an initiative to further develop the Asian talent pipeline in the company.

Her focus as co-chair of the Women’s ERG is to deliver strong content in the areas of networking and professional development, which involves collaborating with her co-chair and subcommittees to develop programs that cover a spectrum from Lean In circles to fantasy football groups.

Ng also highlighted Moody’s leadership programs for women, including a Senior Women’s Leadership Forum, which she will participate in later this year, and other programs which help participants refine their skills and gain visibility across the company.

Ng is grateful that Moody’s sponsored her attendance at the Stanford Business School Advanced Leadership Program for Asian American Executives in 2013, which she describes as an incredible professional development experience that inspired her desire to focus on developing the pipeline of Asian talent at Moody’s. While the effort is still in its early stages, its goals are to reach out to Asian talent and help senior professionals impart their experience and “pay it forward” as role models. They have held a pilot speed mentoring program and look forward to other initiatives as the group grows.

She feels that it is important for organizations to raise awareness of unconscious biases and overcome leaders’ tendencies to hire and advance people who are more like themselves rather than gaining the benefits of a more diverse pool of candidates. “Also, a lack of role models can create a psychological barrier for women, who may feel that achieving higher ranks is too difficult.”

In fact, she cites her ability to meaningfully “pay it forward” by co-chairing these groups, while still performing well at her demanding position, as the professional achievement of which she’s most proud.
Family First

Ng credits much of her success to her mother, who has served as an impressive role model by balancing family with an impactful career. A widow at 32 with four young children, she has devoted decades of her life to her career as a social worker and was recently recognized as a pioneer by the Chinese American Planning Council (CPC) for her contributions to the community. Ng had the honor of speaking at the awards event.

Having benefited greatly from CPC’s programs, Ng sought and received a grant from Harvard Business School in 2001 that allowed her to establish a sustainable youth employment program for CPC. “It was an incredible experience to help impact the lives of underprivileged youth,” she says.

Ng treasures her time with her seven-year-old daughter and five-year-old son, particularly relishing morning drop-off time and evening reading time. “My goal is to focus on my job during the day and have real quality time focusing on them when I am home.”

By Cathie Ericsson

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