Everyone has anxieties; don’t bother with it, just go for it, keep on moving and trust people will see you are a nice person that’s doing its best.  

From a personal standpoint, I think women want to tick 1000% of the criteria when they search for a job, we need to change that and work on ourselves, be prouder of what we do and not be shy. You can fail, but you need to try!

Double portrait of Elvina Garayeva & Noémie Renier, Incofin Investment Management

Working with diverse teams and approaching matters from multiple angles as a result can reap huge rewards. But I wouldn’t only approach it as a ‘win’. More than anything else, we must create an awareness that there don’t have to be ‘losers’

My advice would be the same for both females and males: sky is the limit. Seize every single opportunity to learn and unlock your potential to ensure continued progress

The financial industry should be more balanced and reflect the diversity of our society; we need women in finance to make sure that everything we do in that sector is a mirror of our society, be it in developing relevant solutions or providing adapted recommendations. Valerie Nowak - Product and Innovation in Europe for Mastercard

I would therefore encourage my younger self to open as many doors as possible and to not be afraid to try different paths at any moment in life. The road is not a straight line, it has sometimes dead ends, obstacles, traps, but hey, young girl, keep going, take each challenge, each experience is unique and eventually makes you a better person!

I am very proud and pleased to see that there has been so much focus across the financial industry on gender equality. There has been a shift, you can see it in the institutions’ pipeline and in the institutions support in the growth of female talent. Eimear Creaven - President of Western Europe at Mastercard

I consider everyone getting equal chances as essential. No matter what your gender, origin, religion or walk of life is

Working in a diverse environment has benefits for all.  Mentalities are different and everyone benefits from the different approach that the other one brings.  Having a diverse and inclusive workplace is a win-win.

"Diversity is who you can see and inclusion is how many of these people can speak up and give their opinion. I want to cultivate an environment where people can be seen, heard and understood."

Linde Verheyden was still a rookie when she took her first steps into the world of finance. It turned out to be much more varied than she thought and so 24 years and several jobs later, she is still very happy there.

"The financial sector has made considerable improvements over the years regarding gender and intergenerational diversity. As the sector is changing fast, it is also the moment to advocate for a well-managed multicultural diversity."

Emilie Jacqueroux, Director Channels & Customer Experience for Individuals at BNP Paribas Fortis

Double portrait of Khatleen Pauwels, BNP Paribas Fortis  & Inge Donders, BNP Paribas Fortis

Product Manager at MeDirect

Go-to-market and Campaign Management Senior Officer at MeDirect

You know yourself better than anyone else. If you feel like you want to do something, never let others bring you down.

Financial Institutions & Financial Services Industry Champion at Marsh RM Belux

Chief HR Officer – Member of the Executive Board at BNP Paribas Fortis

Susan Beharrell is a Programme and Project Manager and co-chair of BNYM Brussels’ WIN (women in networking) group.

Head of economic relations and outreach, in charge of ambassadorship for the NBB and networking in the financial-economic landscape throughout Belgium

KYC Policy and Process Expert (KYC Professional)

Luna Zhang is an IT trainee at KBC

Isolde Antonsen, Branch Manager KBC Private Banking Vlaamse Ardennen

Sustainability & Reputation manager at AXA Belgium

Chief Counsel for Marsh in Europe

After 20 years in the financial sector, Vera now works as a Freelance Business Management Coach, Trainer

Wayra Andrea Villarroel Zambrana, Data Analytics Translator at BNP Paribas Fortis.

Vanessa is Compliance Councel at AG Insurance.

Liesbeth is Head of Marketing at Febelfin.

Coleet Vynckier is Head of prudential supervision on (re)insurance companies at NBB.

Mounira Hached is Business Analyst at BNP Paribas Fortis.

Ruth Verstraete has spent an exhilarating 20 years at DKV Belgium. Ruth, Chief Risk Financial Officer, shares her story of passion for risk management as a woman in finance.

KYC & Financial Crime Manager at Triodos, Samiri Rifi, shares her story about taking life into her own hands and choosing to do what she loves.

After an amazing 18 years at the bank, Khanh Diep tell us her inspiring story of change and growth as a Woman in Finance.

Astrid Coppens has had a remarkable 22 years at SWIFT. Astrid, who is the Head of Tech Platform Readiness & Continuity, describes herself as an energetic and authentic leader. She has kindly shared her interesting story as a #WomanInFinance.

Katia Al Jbrail is a Regulatory Relations Process Manager at BNY Mellon. Katia shares her story of building confidence and close relationships in her ever fulfilling career field.

Our resident #WomenInFinance member, Claudia Roosen, is celebrating her 20+ years as a Relationship Executive at BNY Mellon. Claudia has shared with us her story of overcoming fears, such as the best-worst presentation of her life. 

Bengi Erer, Director, is currently an internal Agile Coach at Euroclear. Throughout her 25 years in the finance industry, Bengi has encountered many learning opportunities through continuous change and openness to new occasions. Bengi shares her story with #WomenInFinance Belgium.

#WomenInFinance had the opportunity to interview ING’s very own Marie Parent. Marie is a Digital Marketeer, Customer Journey Expert and Customer Experience Specialist who values honesty and continuous learning. Marie has been energised throughout her career and shares a glimpse with us.

Great communicator. Highly empathetic. Networking pro. These are words that would best describe Jason-Louise Graham. She is a Project Mananger Talent and Learning at ING. As a #womaninfinance, Jason-Louise shares her story and her words of advice with us.

Euroclear’s very own Salomé Adjeme tells #WomenInFinance her story of her years working in the industry. Salomé, Collateral Account Manager and avid Oprah Winfrey fan, is also the Co - founder of the Women Empowering Academy and the Business Black Excellence Summit.

Our resident historian, Dana Brants is not your typical #WomanInFinance. Dana, who works as a Tribe Lead for Customer Interactions at SWIFT, tell us her unconventional story of how she made the switch from dreaming about being Indiana Jones to working in the banking industry.

From educating to banking, Isabelle Brees shares her story with #WomenInFinance as a newcomer to the banking world. Isabelle is a specialist CLT – KYC for Midcorporates and Institutionals at ING Belgium and she has gladly shared her anecdotes of her career change, and how she has grown in the finance sector.

Degroof Petercam’s, Kaatje Butlé shared her story as a tech-savvy “WomenInFinance”. Kaatje, the Chief Audit Executive, gives us insight on her ever-changing career, and important life lessons she has learned along the way.

#WomenInFinance Belgium’s very own Rosa Scappatura shares her story of jumping into the banking world straight on. Rosa, who is an Relationship Executive and Head of Corporate Trust Luxembourg at BNY Mellon, gives us her personal account about her courageous career in finance. 

Laura Lumingu, a Policy Advisor focussing on digital transformation in the domains of innovation, mobile, data & AI at KBC, is an ambitious #WomanInFinance and she has excitedly shared her story with us. Read the full interview here.

Alima Mamadou is an accountant as well as a Diversity and Inclusion Board Member at the National Bank of Belgium. Her advice for women working in the financial sector today? If you find yourself in a place where you don't fit at the table, create your own table. Disover her story here.

Sophie Sine is Internal Community Manager at AG Insurance. She firmly believes in the importance of female role models. Why she does that, you can read here.

Mathy Muteba has been working with Women in Finance for the past two months. She is entering her third year as a Business Administration Student at KU Leuven University. Before she left, we asked her to share her story with us.

New week, new portrait! Fernanda Aspilche Ferro describes herself as an advocate for people with rare diseases. Curious? Discover the full interview here.

Each week we publish a story of an inspiring woman active in the financial sector. This week Corine Isorez shares her journey.

Each week we share a story of an inspiring woman working in the financial sector. First up: Antoinette d'Aspremont Lynden.