By Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

According to Stephanie Miller, Managing Director and Global Head of Alternative Investment Services at J.P. Morgan Worldwide Security Services (WSS), remaining open to change is critical for building a dynamic career. “I find personally – and I hope I exhibit this – that change is really okay.”

She continued, “Even though I’ve been doing this for twenty years, you have to be open to listening to other people, to be open to change. Keep an open mind and try to keep fresh on how you are approaching challenges, so you can continue to take yourself to the next level.”

This spring, Miller joined J.P. Morgan, taking on responsibility of strategy and direction for WSS’s Private Equity & Real Estate Services and Hedge Fund Services businesses. Before joining J.P. Morgan, Miller spent ten years at Citco Fund Services, serving as managing director and running the firm’s North American operations. “I handled the middle office, fund accounting, and transformational and technology change,” she explained. “I’m hoping to achieve the same size and scale of our business list at J.P. Morgan and I’m looking forward to this challenge.”

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By Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

After studying government and international relations at Georgetown, Palmina Fava knew she wanted a career with an international scope. “But I wasn’t sure what that would be,” she explained. “So I went to Fordham Law School, wanting very much to litigate cases, be in court, and be in front of Boards of Directors.”

When she began her career at DLA Piper, Fava continued, “I became much more involved in complex commercial matters and IP litigations. In preparing clients for trial and in going through the litigation process, I began understanding more about a client’s business and became much more involved in working with clients on corporate governance matters.”

“Then Enron and Sarbanes Oxley happened,” she said. “There was much more of a focus on corporate governance and business ethics, and my practice became international in scope.” Fava’s career began taking on the global focus she had always sought, and within a few years, about half of the investigations she handled took place abroad, involving anti-corruption issues.

“About two years ago, I moved to Paul Hastings to work with the Firm’s global compliance practice group.” As co-chair of the Global Compliance and Disputes practice, Fava says she is proud of the reputation she has been able to establish with top-level clients.

“I’ve been very blessed to work with and learn from amazing lawyers and clients. I’m proud of having gained the trust of Fortune 100 clients and proud when they tell me I’ve provided them with practical, business-savvy advice. They have a choice in what law firm and lawyer to use, and I’m very proud when I get that call, that they trust me to work with them on critical compliance and anti-corruption issues.”

She continued, “I’m working on a lot of interesting investigations outside of the US. And I find it’s important to understand the politics, the economics, and the cultural issues of the country in which your investigation is focused.”

“The perspective of the witness I’m interviewing is completely different, so coming at it from a US perspective is not as effective. I try to step outside my experiences and put myself in the shoes of the people whom I’m interviewing,” she explained.

She says she has also learned over the years that, while passion for an issue is important, it’s also important to create boundaries between her personal feelings and her work. “Being passionate about a client’s case doesn’t mean you need to be invested emotionally in it.”

She explained, “Taking a step back and investigating an issue or analyzing it as opposing counsel, a regulator, or a business person would makes you a better negotiator and advocate for your client.”

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By Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

Reflecting on her career, Deborah Hazell said one thing she wishes she had learned earlier is the importance of being heard. “Speak up if you want something,” she said. “My key promotions have largely been because managers only realized I was the right person when I put my hand up and stood right in front of them.”

Hazell began her career as a door-to-door salesperson, climbing through the ranks of the asset management industry to arrive at her current role, CEO of HSBC Global Asset Management, North America. Today she is passionately involved in leveling the playing field for women in the industry.

She added, “Believe in yourself, that you can do things, and speak up if you want something.”

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By Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

Originally from Toronto, Eliza McDougall attended McGill University and then spent a year working in venture capital marketing. “I decided I needed to get further education and applied to both business and law school.” She enrolled in a joint JD/MBA program at the University of Toronto and, following a summer internship at Milbank,Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP, she decided to go into law. McDougall spent the next five years working in their global project finance group. Subsequently, she moved into the leveraged finance group when the firm established it as a separate practice area and then moved to White & Case as counsel in 2010.

She became a partner in White & Case’s Bank Finance Practice on January 1st of this year.

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By Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

“Don’t be afraid to ask and don’t be afraid of your own voice,” said Libby Cantrill, Senior Vice President at PIMCO. “A lot of times, women don’t think they deserve to be in the room, to have a seat at the table. They do.”

One of the key lessons she has learned throughout her career is the importance of asking for the career opportunities you want. “Women are often afraid to ask for things and put themselves out there. But all of the most interesting things and opportunities that I have experienced in my own career are the result of asking for them,” she said.

She continued, “The other thing I’ve learned is that no one will manage your career for you. I would advise women to be proactive and strategic when thinking about the next steps in their career advancement.”

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