Celebrating the successes of the leading ladies within the FX industry & FinanceFeeds’ 1,000th post!
Glass ceiling? What glass ceiling? Not in the FX industry.. Electronic trading is a very modern, highly sophisticated and fast-moving business which continues to attract urbane and sophisticated talent across all sectors from experts in specific niches that provide services from cutting-edge digital marketing initiatives, to automated strategies, interactive education packages, ever-evolving retail trading platforms […]
Glass ceiling? What glass ceiling? Not in the FX industry..
Electronic trading is a very modern, highly sophisticated and fast-moving business which continues to attract urbane and sophisticated talent across all sectors from experts in specific niches that provide services from cutting-edge digital marketing initiatives, to automated strategies, interactive education packages, ever-evolving retail trading platforms and of course, the brokerages themselves.
Along with the modernity of this industry is the complete lack of a metaphorical ‘glass ceiling’ – therefore without boundaries, it is very much an environment which encourages free thought, innovation and ultimately career mobility, often very quickly, in the upward direction for those with a driving ambition.
Among today’s young executives, the gender equality is also a sign of the modernity of the business, which has its roots, especially in the retail sector, in the early 2000s, and although very highly developed and global, is a fledgling compared to the hierarchical and rigid world of traditional finance.
The ability to move forward very quickly is part of the appeal, and indeed, has given rise to some highly successful leaders – many of whom are ladies, hence FinanceFeeds decided to take a look at what motivates today’s successful women in the FX industry and what has led them this far.
How did you get into the industry and where did it all start?
Laoura Salveta – Head of Marketing, FXPRIMUS
I started my exciting Marketing career agency-side, working with brands under the Diageo umbrella, such as Guinness and Smirnoff, as well as other like Vodafone, Nestle, Adidas and many more. So you can imagine the intensity and fun it was. So, back then – I swore that I would never work in Pharmaceuticals and Finance (Famous last words!) I went on to work in-house in a Global Pharma company whereby I learnt all the in’s and outs of Marketing in-line with strict compliance and regulations, which eventually paid off for the career that awaited me in the world of Forex. This experience gave me a tremendous advantage, not only securing an FX job, but also really understanding best practice of how to sell in an industry that has been tarnished in the past for having its unregulated brokers.
Read Laoura Salveta’s full interview here
Sarah Henry, VP Marketing and Operations, ConversionPros
I started out on the phones 10 years ago selling 10 pip spreads for one of the few online brokers at the time. It was the “wild west” I guess you could say, with brokers being really brazen in product, sales and marketing approaches.
Read Sarah Henry’s full interview here
Tamara Manoni, Senior Marcom Manager, MarketsPulse
With a background in Marcom and having moved to the “Start-Up Nation” (Israel), I was introduced to MarketsPulse, which I immediately found to be an intriguing challenge. For the last 4 years my position in the company has offered me the opportunity to make great strides in my career.
Read Tamara Manoni’s full interview here
Katy Parks – Account Manager, Tradesocio
After graduating back in 2006, I took my first steps in the finance arena in a sales position in a recruitment firm in London. A major turning point for me was attending a sales meeting back in 2007 and sitting in the boardroom of a major investment bank, thinking how I wanted to be at the other side of the table. I told my team leader about this and his response was a disapproving look and a reply along the lines of: “you aren’t ready”.
One year later I was heading up the entire recruitment division in another major investment bank in Canary Wharf. That’s when I finally realized that if you believe in yourself, you can do anything.
Read Katy Park’s full interview here
What challenges have you faced along the way, and how did you overcome them?
Nicolette Yuen, Marketing and Communications, Blackwell Global
I first joined the company as a graphic designer/art director, but I was growing out of that role, having been in that line for quite a few years. My main challenge was bridging my desire to learn and contribute more within the peripheral scope of marketing, with the available roles and opportunities within the company.
It took half a year of holding dual roles to prove to the upper management that I could handle communications. Of course, it was the nurturing environment at Blackwell Global that paved the way for my transition into Corporate Communications, and now as Marketing Manager.
Read Nicolette Yuen’s full interview here
Aviya Arika, Offshore Banking Specialist, Tal Ron Drihem & Co Law Firm
Headlining a successful panel in GO Gaming Conference in Tel Aviv with 7 men on stage gives me a powerful feeling, and I’m glad that I always envisaged myself as an equal and not as an outsider in this industry- it always paid off. Being an expert and a part of the leading firm in the Financial Entertainment and iGaming word – Tal Ron, Drihem and Co., whose chairman, Tal Itzhak Ron promotes women to senior positions like I am (where almost all other department managers are also successful women), shows that success is not based on gender equality but on true industry leadership which I am happy to be part of, continuously reaching new heights and rendering the most friendly and professional service for our clients.
Read Aviya Arika’s full interview here
Valeria Bednarik – Chief Analyst, FXStreet
Life itself is a challenge. It was a challenge to study, a challenge to understand that no course was enough, a challenge to dominate fear and greed. I guess I overcame all of them simply because I’m too stubborn, and I really wanted to succeed in being financially independent. Also, I was not completely comfortable with my work. I wanted to improve my financial situation, because South America – I live in Argentina – is a really male chauvinist society and I was making much less than a man in my position.
Read Valeria Bednarik’s full interview here
Katy Parks – Account Manager, Tradesocio
Before I took on the position at the Investment Bank, I remember landing a 100K deal with a new client, a mere 3 months into my new role which didn’t fare well with some male colleagues. Having said that, it didn’t go down well with my female colleagues either – but we were outnumbered so I can’t really say it was a gender specific issue. It was about competition.
Being competitive in a male oriented industry as a female can be challenging – if you don’t know how to handle it. I was lucky to have some incredible bosses who helped guide me through the rough patches and helped me build my confidence and grow thicker skin. These guys were true leaders in their field and I have a lot to thank them for, especially for where I am today.
Read Katy Park’s full interview here
Any interesting anecdotes from your own background and how they helped you succeed?
Eva Antoniou, Sales Manager, Southern Europe, TradingCentral
Languages have been my secret weapon in this job and not for the obvious reasons. Learning a language requires you to be highly adaptable and at home in situations where you’re at an informational disadvantage.
Read Eva Antoniou’s full interview here
Laoura Salveta, Head of Marketing, FXPRIMUS
If I’m being really honest, I didn’t really understand what I was applying for when I first heard about Forex, so I guess learning about all aspect of the FX industry was the biggest challenge, however I knew that the role of Global Marketing Campaign Coordinator never suited anyone as much as it clearly suited me!
Read Laoura Salveta’s full interview here
Sarah Henry, VP Marketing and Operations, ConversionPros
Having spent 8 years in the B2C arena and having progressed from sales through to marketing, I made the jump to B2B. I worked my way up the ranks and joined CONVERSION PROS over 2 years ago as Sales Manager.
My experience allows me to use my insights and know-how of how Brokers work and their needs to be able to provide solid, workable solutions to enhance their marketing approaches.
Read Sarah Henry’s full interview here
Tamara Manoni, Senior Marcom Manager, MarketsPulse
Previously working for an NGO, I had never imagined myself working in the fintech industry. Thus far in my position I’ve had the opportunity to work with and meet several influential people.
Read Tamara Manoni’s full interview here
Any views on the role of women within the financial services?
Nicolette Yuen, Marketing and Communications, Blackwell Global
There are many roles within the financial services sector, and regardless of the role or seniority, women provide diversity of opinion and skills. Innately, women have different perspectives, modes of communication and working styles, and this contributes to a more cohesive, balanced working environment, especially so in an industry that is perceived to be male-dominated.
Read Nicolette Yuen’s full interview here
Aviya Arika, Offshore Banking Specialist, Tal Ron Drihem & Co Law Firm
Being an expert and a part of the leading firm in the Financial Entertainment and iGaming world – Tal Ron, Drihem and Co., whose chairman, Tal Itzhak Ron promotes women to senior positions like I am (where almost all other department managers are also successful women), shows that success is not based on gender equality but on true industry leadership which I am happy to be part of, continuously reaching new heights and rendering the most friendly and professional service for our clients.
Read Aviya Arika’s full interview here
Valeria Bednarik – Chief Analyst, FXStreet
I do believe that, despite being much fewer than men in the financial world, women have more chances to be successful, only because, generally speaking, women have less ego. I’ve always thought that ego is the worst enemy of any trader, and that’s something one usually learns the hard way, when the market hits you one, and twice, and again and again. For men it is harder to overcome a negative trade, particularly at the beginning of their trading career, because they take it as a personal failure.
No matter what, you need to be humble when approaching the market, and if you don’t ,you are condemned to fail. Also, women tend to be less eager to take large risks, and more cool blooded when it comes to taking a trade. And being humble does not mean a lack of character or strength to face tough situations.
As for the industry in general, women are still far from having a relevant role as senior staff in financial companies. It’s funny, because women face more challenges to reach senior leadership roles in financial services, which means that when they get there, if they do, they are far more prepared than any man. Anyway, it’s still a male´s world and things are changing there way too slowly.
Read Valeria Bednarik’s full interview here
Yarden Fineman – Sales Manager, TradersEducation
It has been viewed as a man’s industry and has been for years, however; in Israel women have been involved in the upper levels throughout all industries often holding the most senior level positions. I don’t feel that there is much inequality within the FX or tech industry in Israel and most firms I have visited women are very well represented.
Read Yarden Fineman’s full interview here
Any additional thoughts or information that you would like to share?
Eva Antoniou, Sales Manager, Southern Europe, TradingCentral
I’ve never accepted that there’s a disparity between us. If there is it doesn’t exist in my world. Listen more and don’t forget to breathe!
Read Eva Antoniou’s full interview here
Laoura Salveta, Head of Marketing, FXPRIMUS
This is an industry that has had its successes and its failures, for those who never want to stop learning and adapting their business to what’s trending – whether they be male or female, whether they be Risk Managers or Marketing Manager – they are the ones who will take that bull by its horns and be considered the industry leaders.
Read Laoura Salveta’s full interview here
Sarah Henry, VP Marketing and Operations, ConversionPros
I am eager to continue to use my strengths and aptitudes within the company to lead us forward and grow our brands to achieve new successes both in the industry and looking to broader reach into new sectors. The success of our clients reflects our success as a company and on a broader level the growth and success of the industry as a whole, something that I am and will continue to be an active contributor.
Read Sarah Henry’s full interview here
Tamara Manoni, Senior Marcom Manager, MarketsPulse
Beginning my career within the financial and technology services, I had the opportunity to work under a female CEO. Although the industry is male dominated, MarketsPulse’s former CEO was an inspirational figure that showed me success in this industry is in the person and not the gender. Over the years I’ve seen more women forging through in executive positions further showing the industry holds many open doors, regardless of gender.
Read Tamara Manoni’s full interview here
Yarden Fineman – Sales Manager, TradersEducation
TradersEducation works with brokers worldwide providing unique marketing tools for each of their departments such as widgets, webinars, education, videos (broker channels) and the lot. The goal is to help brokers with the right tools to help convert new customers as well as retain customers more efficiently.
Read Yarden Fineman’s full interview here
