Tag Archive for: womeninfinance

Heather Garland: Vice President, Global Chief Marketing Officer, PGIM Investments

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Heather Garland“It’s important to embrace change and demonstrate adaptability as you grow in your career,” says Heather Garland. “This helped me develop a well-rounded, transferable skill set.”

Garland shares how a growth mindset, being flexible, and viewing challenges as stepping stones can help build the skills and experience for a successful career. Her passion for nurturing her team’s development mirrors her dedication to driving business success, believing that both are not mutually exclusive.

Pursuing opportunities for growth

Garland’s career has been one of continuous growth and reinvention. In college, Garland majored in psychology and wasn’t sure what career path she wanted to pursue. While finishing her degree at night, she took a sales assistant role at AXA and was eventually recruited to join PGIM, where she has now spent more than 25 years building a successful career. Though she didn’t know much about financial services at the time, Garland saw her first role at PGIM as an intriguing challenge.

Dedicated to advancing her career and learning the industry, Garland seized every opportunity through lateral moves, stretch assignments, and professional designations, like the FINRA Series 7 and CIMA certifications.

“There were times I pursued growth opportunities, and other times I was tapped on the shoulder to lead different areas as part of a strategy shift,” she says.

One of those pivotal moments came twelve years ago when Garland transitioned into Marketing, leading marketing communications, product marketing and more recently, client marketing. These experiences became the foundation that launched her into her newly appointed role as Global Chief Marketing Officer, where she leads a team that is shaping the future of PGIM Investments’ marketing strategy.

“There are a number of initiatives and pilot programs underway that ultimately will help drive business growth and enable us to deliver better experiences for our clients,” she says.

Fostering the development of others

For Garland, few things are more rewarding than guiding others as they advance in their careers.  She explains, “One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role is helping high performers grow and pursue their goals. I’ve had a number of team members who have moved on to other roles within PGIM or externally. I feel like a proud parent when I see someone take that next step in their career.”

Not only does Garland invest in the growth of her team members, but she is committed to supporting up-and-coming women across PGIM, as she recognizes what a difference it made for her own career.

“I was part of the first pilot program in PGIM Investments, in which I was paired with a mentor outside of my direct team. That experience opened doors for me, eventually leading to my current role.”

Taking leadership to the next level with an executive coach

Beyond the support of mentors and managers in her organization, Garland credits working with a leadership coach as instrumental in shaping her career development. She points to the accountability of meeting with a coach on a regular basis and working on specific goals as beneficial.

“With my coach, I developed a roadmap to focus on building strategic, one-on-one relationships with senior decision-makers in the organization – people I often needed to gain support from or collaborate with. One of the most valuable relationships I’ve built through that process is with our head of sales – a connection who was open and happy to meet with me as part of the growth plan I initiated.”

Another aspect of the coaching experience that Garland finds impactful is receiving input from her peers and leaders as part of a 360-feedback report, giving her the opportunity to reflect on her strengths and potential areas of growth from a multitude of perspectives. This feedback enabled her to create a plan around what to start – and stop doing – to focus on what matters most in her role.

She reflects, “I was also able to look at my functional area differently and recommend a new organizational structure that better aligned with where our business was headed.”

Lessons learned

After 25 years at PGIM, Garland understands that becoming an effective leader requires both time and experience to develop the necessary skills and confidence. She highlights the importance of focusing on progress rather than striving for perfection.

Another key element for career success that Garland emphasizes is self-advocacy. “Whether it’s being considered for a stretch project, a promotion, or a raise – don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. The worst response you’re going to get is ‘No,’ and even that gives you the opportunity to start a dialogue.”

“I used to have the mindset that if I kept my head down and worked hard, I’d be recognized for that and promoted in time. But, in reality, it doesn’t always work out that way. It wasn’t until I started becoming more intentional and vocal about my career goals that those opportunities finally started to come.”

Leaving time for adventure

Outside of work, Garland enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new places with her husband and two kids, both near and far – they took a recent trip to Nicaragua. She also finds joy experimenting in her kitchen – when she has time – and reading, preferably on a beach.

“I don’t think there’s such a thing as work-life balance. I view it more like a seesaw,” Garland says. “There are times where you may need to focus more on work, and times where you need to focus more on your personal life. As leaders, it’s important to understand that for our team members as well.”

By Jessica Robaire

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Danielle Navarro: Portfolio Manager, PGIM Fixed Income

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Danielle Navarro“You can always grow and keep learning, no matter where you are in your career,” says Danielle Navarro. “Whether you’re an intern or the head of a trading desk, there’s always an opportunity to broaden your knowledge.”

Embodying a growth mindset, Navarro reflects on how she finds opportunity in challenges, pushes herself to step out of her comfort zone and looks for ways to learn from and support others.

Turning challenges into opportunities

Navarro’s ability to turn obstacles into advantages was evident early in her career. Despite graduating college during the financial crisis of 2008, Navarro adapted to the challenging job market and prioritized staying near her family by remaining flexible and open to the types of roles she was interested in, but she wanted to ensure the role she took highlighted her math and economics background, leading her to accept a role at PGIM in the Data Integrity Group. This gave her the opportunity to learn more about fixed income.

Always eager to build her skills, Navarro later enrolled in the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program and pursued a master’s degree in statistics at Columbia University, dedicating nights and weekends to enhancing her skills and knowledge. She also explored other paths at PGIM, volunteering for projects that allowed her to work cross-functionally.

“Thanks to a great manager who was open to hearing what I was interested in, I gained exposure to various roles within the firm, which helped me discover my passion and identify what truly suited me.”

Finding excitement in the dynamic nature of the investment side of the business, Navarro moved into corporate credit, ultimately advancing into her current role at PGIM as a portfolio manager on the investment grade corporate desk. No two days are alike, she says, which keeps her energized and ensures her analytical and problem-solving skills remain sharp while finding the best solutions for clients.

Staying curious

Beyond turning obstacles – like starting a job during the financial crisis, being a female in a male-dominated field and juggling four maternity leaves – into opportunities, Navarro cites curiosity and her openness to learning from others as keys to her career development.

“My commitment to hard work helped me connect with key mentors. My drive and curiosity made me stand out, so when opportunities arose, I was considered because of my active involvement and genuine enthusiasm.”

She highlights PGIM’s collaborative culture as ideal for building connections and learning from seasoned colleagues who understand what it takes to succeed.

“Successful people often excel in their careers because they genuinely love their work. It’s important to ask questions to learn from their experiences and understand their long-term success. At PGIM, you can seek advice from anyone, regardless of their level or asset class, and gain significant insights.”

Embracing discomfort to grow

Another one of Navarro’s guiding principles is her commitment to learning and broadening her skillset.

“There is always room for growth. Make it a habit to read newspapers, watch various news outlets and seek out diverse opinions and perspectives. Not only will you expand your knowledge, but you will also better understand and navigate different situations and draw informed conclusions.”

Growth can also come from pushing outside one’s comfort zone and helping others push beyond theirs. Navarro says she is naturally introverted, but thanks to mentors and managers who helped draw her out of her shell and asked her opinion in meetings, she gained confidence. Recently, she pushed her limits by speaking at a conference in front of one hundred people.

Reflecting on her decision to speak, she says, “In situations where you feel out of your comfort zone, reminding yourself that you possess the knowledge and capabilities can often benefit you in the long run.”

Being a woman in a male-dominated industry

Navarro recognizes the challenge of being a woman in a male-dominated field. Being the only woman in the room was awkward at first, but she quickly realized that she could use it to her advantage. “When you’re in a meeting, and you’re the only one that looks different, people remember what you say.”

Navarro identifies connecting with other women on the trading floor as valuable in navigating a male-dominated environment. She looks to support women in their journey, so they don’t feel like they’re alone, particularly in figuring out how to manage the momentum of the investment side when starting a family.

“I make it a point to reach out to women who are not only working to grow their careers, but their families as well, reassuring them that they can do both.” She continues, “This life change doesn’t diminish their professional abilities; it’s simply an addition to their lives. Having four children myself, I can share my experiences and offer support from a place of understanding.”

As the investment side is characterized by frequent change and a sense of urgency to talk to people in the market daily, Navarro is realistic that it takes time to come back from maternity leave and make those connections again. However, the short-term nature of the business also has its advantages, she notes. “After a couple weeks of daily interactions, they’re going to forget that you were ever gone – it’s easier to reintegrate than you think.”

Inspired and inspiring

For Navarro, family is paramount, and her career drive stems not only from her desire to show her children that a woman can achieve anything, but also from the inspiration she finds from her father’s career journey. Coming from humble beginnings and putting both Navarro and her twin sister through college, Navarro’s father demonstrated that education, perseverance and hard work can change your trajectory.

“He will always inspire me. Whenever I need a boost, I reflect on how he accomplished his goals through sheer determination and hard work. His success is a testament that if you believe you can – you will.”

As a mother of four, Navarro hopes to similarly inspire her children. Thanks to PGIM’s hybrid work policy, Navarro’s children get to see firsthand how she manages a fulfilling career and family life. As both Navarro and her husband work for PGIM in similar capacities, she emphasizes, “I hope that they see that both men and women can achieve the same successes, working equally hard.”

Navarro draws lessons from the successes of others and her own missteps, consistently striving to evolve and develop.

Both in investing and her personal life, Navarro emphasizes, “All these rough patches that you enter are temporary.” She continues, “Rely on your strengths and remind yourself that you have the capability to figure this out. You’ve successfully navigated similar challenges before. Focus on what is most beneficial moving ahead.”

By Jessica Robaire

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Mikaylee O’Connor: Principal, Senior Defined Contribution Strategist, PGIM DC Solutions

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Mikaylee O'Connor “One thing that’s at the core of how I operate is a focus on internal versus external gratification. I tend to go above and beyond for my own satisfaction because I have very high standards for myself,” says Mikaylee O’Connor. “Everyone’s way towards internal gratification is different, but I feel that when you do things for yourself, you exude different energy and attract more of what you want.”

Moving From Her Comfort Zone

Growing up in a small Oregon town, O’Connor was put on the Montessori track with an emphasis on independent thinking and hands-on learning. She then skipped middle school, while being home-schooled and spending her time in the stables, riding horses. She graduated high school at 17 and was off to Portland State University.

As a finance graduate, O’Connor joined a local investment consulting firm, RVK, as an investment analyst. She stayed for almost 13 years, working her way up while advising clients on pensions, 401k plans, and endowment foundations, to eventually becoming Head of Defined Contributions (DC). In 2020, she craved a new challenge.

“When you feel like you’re in your comfort zone, it’s the right time to maybe see about getting outside of that comfort zone. I wanted to do more strategic thinking, be a little more creative and be part of a movement to help the DC industry forward and find better solutions for everyday people,” she says.

In the start of 2021, she joined PGIM as a senior DC strategist and, this past February, she became a principal. O’Connor enjoys the ‘think tank’ atmosphere of her team: “We’re always asking, ‘What is the problem out in the market and how can PGIM and Prudential as a company come together to solve these problems and deliver solutions?’”

Embracing the New Challenge

“In my experience, the consulting world is very much for people who like to be constantly challenged,” she notes. “Every client project provides something new – new content, new research, new ways of presenting materials, or simply, adjusting to different personalities.”

O’Connor finds that everything depends upon how you approach those challenges: getting frustrated or seeing each as an invitation to grow. Receiving the support of mentors and advocates has been critical to rolling with new challenges. As she’s become senior, providing that same support to junior associates has been essential and rewarding.

She’s also learned to stay open to what she doesn’t yet know: “If you’re constantly trying to learn new things, you have to be humble to the fact that you don’t know everything,” she advises. “It’s important to surround yourself with different voices and perspectives so that when you’re trying to solve problems or provide solutions, you have that 360-degree view instead of looking only right in front of you.”

Opening to More Possibilities

O’Connor is known to give an unfiltered view of what she is thinking and play her own part in widening the conversation in any meeting.

“I push us to think differently or to have a different view on what we’re trying to solve. I often bring the end-user to the table,” she reflects. “Let’s put ourselves in the position of the person that’s going to be using this product or solution. How would they go about doing this or that?”

Despite being in a predominantly white male industry, O’Connor had the opportunity to work under a female CEO at RVK and with many female shareholders throughout her career. But when becoming involved in industry organizations, the gender skew became salient. Her approach to being underestimated by male peers was simple: “I would feel compassion for them because, at the end of the day, that’s their own challenge, not mine.”

But mostly, she has leveraged being a unique voice in the room to help her challenge the status quo.

“I’ve always been one to point out that just because we’ve done it this way in the past doesn’t mean we need to do it this way going forward. What are we missing? What should we be thinking about differently?” she says. “Having both that fresh perspective and high conviction about thinking about problems and solutions differently doesn’t always make people feel good. But I like a good debate and being uncomfortable talking about things, because we are only going to grow more through it.”

Adapting For Your Audience and Your Team Members

“Whether it’s your boss, client or a prospect, reading the room and adjusting how you approach the situation and your communication style matters to being effective,” says O’Connor.

Being able to adapt to and apply different ways of learning and communicating has been a powerful component in her ability to meet people where they are and create the momentum that drives results. Equally, sitting on the extrovert-introvert cusp, O’Connor highly values adapting her approach to hearing all voices in the room, including considering the different ways they may need to be heard.

“You have extroverts and introverts. You have people who need more time to think and you have people who can come up with ideas right on the spot in the meeting,” she says. “In order to capture all of the different great ideas, concerns and considerations, you have to consider how to make sure that you’re getting what you need from each of them, and that you make them all feel included.”

Reframing for Confidence

Shifting her mindset to increase her confidence has helped O’Connor to take on bigger roles.

“In the past, despite being overly prepared for a client meeting or discussion, I would still feel nervous,” she recalls. “But one mentor in particular assured me, again and again, that I knew more about the topic than anyone in that room. Over time, it shifted my perspective from being the ‘victim of scary stares and expectations’ to a ‘person with important information to share.’ I shifted to see that I’m going in there as a teacher.”

Now she loves to speak in front of an audience and does so often. Another learning curve has been around the challenge of leadership.

“I can be a perfectionist and always want to do things correctly, but when you’re in charge of people and emotions, that’s a different skillset and a different realm of understanding how to deal with things,” she says. “It takes a lot of listening and stepping back to ask how you can best support each of these individuals. Ultimately, their success is also my success.”

She’s also learned to always ask for feedback and to create an environment where people feel comfortable giving it.

Meanwhile, O’Connor has recently been unlearning multi-tasking as a leader: “I’ve been working on mindfulness and there’s a huge benefit to focusing your attention on one thing at a time. I’m much more active and creative when I get rid of distractions.”

Focusing on Internal Gratification

“By focusing on internal gratification, I’ve naturally been given more opportunities without necessarily focusing on what I have to do to get to the next step or to get promoted, because those are external focuses,” she notes. “By doing what I want to do – to grow and to learn and to do it for myself – I’ve just had those opportunities come to me.”

For years, O’Connor has been doing a self-review after meetings to consider whether she could have done anything better or differently. While it can be exhausting, it helps her grow and creates internal gratification.

“I would encourage women to focus internally and not worry so much about external steps and getting to the next one,” she says, “because then you’re doing the work for someone else instead of yourself.”

Being Human, First

O’Connor appreciates how PGIM Quantitative Solutions CEO Linda Gibson shows strength in her role and humanness in her communications.

“Linda has brought a sense of ‘we’re all just people.’ We’re all trying to do the same thing and nobody needs to be on a pedestal,” she says. “She can talk to you in the office just like anybody. It’s refreshing.”

O’Connor observes that since the pandemic and remote offices, more people are breaking down barriers and hierarchy, while seeing everyone as individuals and not just as employees.

“If we want to bring out the best in ourselves, we also have to show that we’re all humans and we all have things going on,” she says. “We can normalize that. But also, how do we take that change and use it to create a more cohesive and better company? Our relationships can be stronger because I can relate to you on something I didn’t know before.”

Speaking of which, O’Connor finds travel to be good for the soul, and enjoys seeking out AirBnBs and boutique stays with her husband while getting out of their comfort zones and taking in the cultures wherever they are exploring, most recently the Swedish Lapland in the forests of the Arctic circle, with saunas and cold plunges. Iceland is another favorite. Closer to home, she likes scouting out new atmospheric spots for a great meal in New York.

By Aimee Hansen

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Anna de Jong: Head, Client Advisory Benelux and Nordics, PGIM Fixed Income

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Anna De Jong“A lot of people will tell you this or that can’t be done, and that goes for your personal and your professional life, but don’t take that as a given,” advises Anna de Jong. “Have the confidence and be strong until you get the answer that works for you.”

De Jong speaks about how the journey you take is what shapes you, the importance of knowing yourself and having the confidence to pursue the important questions.

What Defines You is the Journey You’re On

After growing up in a small village in the north of Holland, where she felt her limbs wanting to stretch even as a girl, de Jong adventured for a half year opportunity in London that became fifteen years between Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley and other firms, thriving amidst a diversity of people, experiences, inspiration and opportunities.

Just when she reached the point of considering a move back to Holland for family motivations two years ago, PGIM Fixed Income approached about her current role in the Netherlands, which met the professional trajectory she also wanted. With London life having felt as much like home to her, de Jong reframes the question of where are you from to what it’s really about.

“It’s not where you’re from that matters. It’s just a box that people want to put you in. Ultimately, it’s about the journey that you’re on and the journey that you take that opens doors, or closes them,” she reflects.

It’s About The Personal Factor

The people factor has always magnetized her to her work. “In my field of work, I work for my clients and prospects, and I need to very quickly understand who I’m dealing with and how to progress things,” says de Jong. “You must be able to read people quickly in order to be successful, and that still holds today. I think that human element is what makes me most content in my work.”

De Jong advises that when working closely with others, it’s important to know yourself so you don’t lose your own intentions in any deal or interaction: “I’ve learned you need to hold your ground. You must understand yourself in order to do well professionally, but also personally. That’s a journey I also help other people with: stick with your convictions, yet be open to learning.”

Being approachable is important to de Jong: “I don’t think in different levels. I’ve learned from all walks of life and different parts of business and people,” says de Jong. “I’m always available and listening to everybody around. I am genuinely interested in people, and I think if you can understand what’s going on, then a lot of things make more sense, and it also matters when achieving the right results.”

De Jong notes that while remote working has been validated, being together with your team and clients is invaluable for creating connection and work culture.

“Covid is a lonely time, I think,” she reflects. “And ultimately you spend so much of your time at work. It’s good to see people, but being behind a screen also hides a lot. There’s no longer an excuse for saying that we can’t work from home because we all clearly can, but it’s also important to be with colleagues and have face-to-face time.”

Knowing and Balancing Your Values

“Someone once told me that when your career takes off, something else is going to suffer. For a long time, I was convinced that you have to work very hard while other things would have to take a backseat,” says de Jong. “ I have become of the opinion that’s entirely untrue. You are actually more successful when you understand what is really important to you and cultivate personal satisfaction, as well.”

Years ago, a friend introduced de Jong to a four pillar system. The four pillars represent what is personally important to you and emphasize keeping what matters to you in a balance. She uses the analogy of a chair, it can function with three but ideally needs four legs to be fully stable. For de Jong, she values home and family, friends, work and health: “If one gets out of whack, it makes the rest volatile and you do not perform as well, personally or professionally. It can be a juggling act, but you don’t have to forget about what’s important in your personal life in order to succeed in professional life and vice versa. In a way, they all become one.”

When the work aspect of life becomes too much, de Jong feels it’s important and okay to speak up about that, and not fall into the cultural notion of having to keep everything separate. Personally, she doesn’t resonate with a sense of being “successful” that connotes “achieving the best results regardless.”

De Jong does not perceive that getting the result, no matter what the impact on others or personal life, can ever be success. Rather, she speaks more to harmony and co-creation from a place that is aligned with your internal values.

When it comes to her personal success, “I do my work with lots of pleasure and have happy clients who are keeping and raising assets,” she notes, “but it’s also being home with my daughter and husband. It’s as elementary as that.”

De Jong feels well-matched by the atmosphere at her workspace: “PGIM Fixed Income has this fantastic work culture, that when I joined just felt like a warm blanket – where people work together, give each other challenges and opportunities. It’s been really fantastic.”

With a desire to keep growing, she is curious about pursuing courses in ESG investing and being able to mentor even more in that space.

Guidance For The Journey

“Some guidance that really stuck with me is to ask the same question until you get the right answer,” she notes, having tried this out in areas like promotion as well as anytime you’re immediately told something isn’t possible. “I will continue asking a question until I get the answer that I think works best.”

De Jong tells mentees: “Know, embrace, respect yourself and dare to be different. You have to be yourself, because if you don’t know who you are, then you don’t know where you’re going. It’s the journey you’re on that defines who you are. Embrace that.”

She emphasizes accepting and learning and being willing to let something go when it’s not the right thing. The more honest and non-judging you can be with yourself and others, feels de Jong, the more trust you build and the more you create results together. She has always advised women to be kind to each other, as it can be especially tricky to navigate in banking or finance when you first begin as a woman.

The hardest experience she’s had was in a previous role when she returned from maternity leave only two and a half months after having her daughter, and found part of her region moved from her remit and no expanded team as anticipated. Reflecting, she realizes the feeling that she could only take such a short leave was a red flag in feeling supported.

De Jong feels both men and women can contribute to normalizing parental leave by embracing it, and notes that her own husband has been a huge support.

Vocalize and Invest In Your Needs

De Jong now realizes that earlier in her career, she was often too scared to really ask for what would fulfill her, and so she often got something else. She feels it’s important to be very clear when you’re not satisfied.

“I would get frustrated but nobody seemed to notice, and then I would hand in my resignation and people were so surprised and often disappointed,” says de Jong. “They would ask, ‘why did you not tell me before?’ And I seriously thought I had, but clearly hadn’t been very vocal about my dissatisfaction.”

De Jong enjoys her four-year-old daughter, playing piano and is still looking for an experience in Holland akin to the community volunteer hub she loved in London. Her favorite volunteer work has been a charity she helped create called Launchpad Labs, which offered workspace and mentoring to those with challenging backgrounds.

“Helping others is a great way to stay on your feet to understand the bigger picture and that helps in your personal space and helps with your work,” says de Jong, “It helps to ground those four pillars and understanding what is important.”

She emphasizes investing in yourself and your personal happiness, as well as listening to your body. She loves exercise, baking, and continuing to learn and grow.

By: Aimee Hansen

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