WMN of The Big 4 – Part 3: PwC

Photo: PwC Luxembourg

As good as this may seem, women are still underrepresented in C-level roles, are given fewer leadership positions and within private & equity firms, women account for less than 10% of senior roles. With the growing discussion surrounding gender disparity & the importance of women’s empowerment, we sat with some key female figures working in Luxembourg’s the Big 4, to discuss their roles, their inspiration and what it truly means to be a woman in finance.

Iga Guillemin

What is your current role at PwC?

I have recently become a part of the Alliance team, which incorporates both the expertise of our technology partners and our consulting capabilities to offer comprehensive solutions to our clients.

What does being a woman in finance mean to you?

As a woman working in a Big 4, it is crucial for me to remain committed to my beliefs and principles. I place great importance on how I was raised, mentorship from influential individuals, and the knowledge gained from both academia and professional experience. My personal brand is highly appreciated by both internal and external stakeholders. 

What inspired you to pursue your career?

My grandfather is my greatest source of inspiration. He not only taught me how to ride a bike and took me to swimming lessons on weekends, but I also sought his guidance and support in moments of doubt throughout my career. His career is an important lesson for me. After graduating from medical school, he was taking night shifts to have a place to sleep. With time his career evolved and became head of the clinic at the largest hospital in our region. Patients and colleagues alike recognise him as an innovator in both clinic management and patient care.

What inequalities do you see when it comes to men and women in finance? Do you see any changes in this regard?

Women are still significantly underrepresented in top management positions and there is a variety of well known reasons for that. To address this, PwC has implemented a number of initiatives to promote gender diversity and equality at all levels. These efforts are already starting to pay off, which I’m very happy about. 

What is your recipe for success? What would you wish for all women?

The recipe for success includes various components including the people one meets along their career path. As I embarked on my career as a sales representative in Novartis Poland, Alex Bishop, the CEO at the time recognised my potential and offered me the position of product manager just two years after completing my master’s degree. During our first conversation in her office, she asked me to do a client call, treating her as a doctor to demonstrate my everyday job. It was evident from her reaction that she saw great potential in me and provided me with the opportunity to grow. I hope that all women can encounter inspiring and impactful individuals who can assist them in advancing both professionally and personally, as I experienced and hopefully will continue experience in future.  

What is it like being a woman in a predominantly male dominated field? Do you feel any added pressure being a woman in finance? 

Irrespective of gender, we have to showcase our capabilities to gain trust and prove our worth. However, in my opinion, women are even more respected by men once they have proven their worth. During the initial stages of my career, it was crucial for me to gain the confidence of my sales team and clients by displaying exceptional skills. 

Zoha Ahmed

What is your current role at PwC?

I’m a part of the innovation team at PwC Luxembourg, working closely with startups, scaleups and third-party vendors for creating new business opportunities for, and with, PwC. In addition to sourcing these players, my role requires me to work in several capacities: I can be testing a PoC (Proof of Concept) with a potential vendor, coaching a startup, running a workshop for sustainability projects and creating a strategy for commercialising a new solution all within the same day.

What inspired you to pursue your career?

I’m naturally drawn to opportunities where I can problem solve and have an impact. My career has evolved considerably over the past decade, from working for the Obama-Biden campaign in my student days to venture building as a professional. Each day I’m inspired by the fact that the work I do brings value and I’m creating a positive change.

What inequalities do you see when it comes to men and women in finance? Do you see any changes in this regard?

In Luxembourg, we see a shrinking pay gap between men & women, however, this does not mean that other inequalities do not exist. I see access to equal opportunities of advancement, representation in senior leadership and credibility gap as issues of concern. I do believe these inequalities are being reversed over time, with a new generation of workers and active company efforts such as the ones in place by PwC, bringing on a new and equitable mindset in the workplace.

What is your recipe for success? What would you wish for all women?

A big part of success is being proactive and taking charge of your career. That means, putting in the extra effort in upskilling yourself, building your network and asking for opportunities that would be outside your comfort zone. Another big element is having a sponsor/s who truly recognises your talent, advocates for you and occasionally challenges you. I’ve been fortunate to have such mentor figures at every stage of my career. And then sometimes, a little bit of luck helps as well 🙂 This is something I would wish for both women and men to help them reach their best potential.

What is it like being a woman in a predominantly male dominated field? Do you feel any added pressure being a woman in finance?

In an ideal world, this shouldn’t make a difference however, being a part of a less represented group presents its own challenges. Throughout my career, I’ve kept my focus on delivering valuable work and nurturing relationships. And over time, I’ve proved my competence and have been recognised by colleagues, males and females, alike.

In my day-to-day routine, I don’t feel this added pressure because of my gender but I do recognise that many women have had to go an extra mile in such circumstances. I do, however, feel that I have a responsibility to ensure that the younger generation of professionals coming up don’t feel such pressures.