Camila Astaburuaga is co-portfolio Manager for both the New Capital Wealthy Nations Bond Fund and the New Capital Global Value Credit Fund. As we celebrate International Women’s Day today and it’s theme of #inspireinclusion, we reflect on the role of so many inspirational women working in financial services. Here, Camila shares her own experience as a woman working in fund management. In this blog she shines the spotlight on why she believes that building greater diversity & inclusion across the profession is to the benefit of all
I have always felt a bit uncomfortable about quotas. I truly believe that a job should go to the best person, the most qualified. But are we really hiring the best person? In my experience, when making the decision about who to hire, people tend to hire someone similar to themselves or with similar history, and that’s exactly what we shouldn’t do!
Ideally, we would try to find someone that thinks differently than you, that challenges you, that looks at problems in a different way to complement your strengths – whether that person is a woman or a man shouldn’t matter. This shouldn’t be about skin colour or gender, but unfortunately, in some cases it still is. Hiring people with different genders, backgrounds, and skills matters.
I was so surprised when I joined my company that the head of trading didn’t study math or economics, but history of art. One of our economists studied marine biology. In few countries and places does this happen, but I love it. Being surrounded by people with different experiences and knowledge can only improve the way we do things. In financial services, but more broadly as well, I believe sometimes we have become too experienced in one area and, as we grow older, too set in our ways. Having someone that can look at things differently will bring more creative solutions and also humble you and educate you in many ways.
In my career, I’ve found most people to be welcoming, respectful and kind. I’ve been lucky. But I shouldn’t have to be “lucky”. Feeling equal because of my gender should be the base. I’m also extremely grateful to have parents that gave me strong confidence and good education and told me that I could achieve anything if I set my mind to it. And I truly believe that. So, when I used to be (and still am) the only women in a meeting, on a conference panel, or in a work group, sometimes I don’t even think about everything that had to happen for me to be there, and all that needs to happen for me not to be alone in the future.
Representation matters. I didn’t think it did, I didn’t have any women mentors in my career and never thought I needed one, but time and time again I have realised that if I hadn’t had the self-assurance from my family, then my story would have been different. Having people from different backgrounds, ways of life, education, and gender in different areas and seniorities of companies matters. It has been thoroughly documented that greater inclusion adds to performance levels and talent retention, but most importantly to a richer culture. Working every day in a place where you feel comfortable, respected and safe is not currently the norm, but should be. I believe that to reach that ideal, hiring and embracing a diverse workforce is one of the most important steps.
Camila Astaburuaga is co-portfolio Manager for both the New Capital Wealthy Nations Bond Fund and the New Capital Global Value Credit Fund
