CLOVER MOODIE
Top woman in money management
ASK ANYONE who knows this workaholic and they'll tell you she's assertive, independent and highly motivated. This banker attended Manchester High School and later went on to the University of the West Indies where she earned a Bachelor's of Science (BSc) degree in Accounting (ACCA) and certified internal auditing.
Clover Moodie has been married for over three years but this has not stopped her from making her mark in the financial sector. She did external auditing at PricewaterhouseCoopers working as a staff accountant and then did internal auditing at Grace, Kennedy. She has been working with First Global Bank for three years where she's the assistant vice-president of finance.
Finance is... something that I've always wanted to do even though this may sound like a cliché. I have a cousin who is a chartered accountant, but finance is something that I've always had a love for.
In a male-dominated field... it is challenging. It's no doubt that we are in a man's world but the female gender is taking over, taking leaps and bounds in the financial sector. I have had to work with a lot of males but they are professional enough to know that it's something they have to live with and work with because it's a job.
I am a good financial controller... at home because I think I know how to risk a verse (take risks). I need to have all my 'Is' dotted and 'Ts' crossed knowing exactly where what is coming from.
My greatest challenge... is in banking because we go through changes in the finance sector. Because of globalisation and the increase in accountability, every once in a while changes take place in industry therefore making rules and regulations more stringent.
I don't have to act aggressive... or like a man for people to take me seriously in the finance industry. In finance, one needs to be assertive and stand up for what he/she believes, but I have worked with professionals who understand that I have a job to do.
My most memorable moment... in finance is right now. George & Branday Limited is merging with First Global Bank and I'm happy that we have actually had a successful merge.
How the budget will affect single parents... we have a lot of single parents but more so mostly women. They will have a lot more to carry, in terms of the economic load, caring and rearing children because things have been tough but I hope the minimum wages and tax free threshold will be reviewed.
The 32-year-old says that she still has a love for internal auditing and five years from now she might be back in it.
Five years from now... I might be the vice-president of somewhere, might even be First Global Bank, but I should still be in finance because I do have a love for internal audit and I may go back into it. I love my job and look forward to coming to work and getting things done.
Most fulfilling achievement to date... while at First Global Bank and being a part of a small commercial bank I am pleased at the contribution and part I have played in it's growth through the years.
When Moodie is not immersed in work, she can be found watching a nice comedy or reading a suspense novel, she also noted that cooking was something she enjoyed.
DEBRA LOPEZ
Taking the financial sector by storm
HUMOROUS, STRONG-WILLED and trustworthy are words that can be uttered in the same breath with the name Debra Lopez.
She has an MBA and approximately seven years experience in the banking industry. A by-product of Immaculate Conception High, she completed her B.Sc. in economics and finance (with honours) in 1996 at Barry University in Miami. Then, in 1997, she moved to New Zealand where she began her banking career at Westpac Banking Corporation as an account executive in the Corporate and Banking Group. In 1998, she moved to the Australian head office as a senior account executive in the Institutional Banking Group.
After gaining tremendous international experience she moved back to Jamaica in 1999 where she joined Dehring Bunting & Golding Limited (DB&G Ltd). She started as an investment adviser and manager in Kingston, while moving up the ladder in 2001 as senior investment adviser and senior manager running the private banking department of the Kingston Branch and in 2002, she became the branch manager and assistant vice-president for the Kingston branch.
After spending five years with DB&G Ltd., she joined National Commercial Bank (NCB) Capital Markets Limited, in March 2004 as the vice-president of distribution for Jamaica.
I became involved in finance.. while at Barry University. I took a lot of classes but I enjoyed the finance classes more. In particular, my money and banking class helped me realise that financial banking was very exciting so I did my degree in Economics and Finance.
In a male-dominated field... I see banking and relationship banking as something that has grown over the years. Therefore, women have advantage in finance because we have natural qualities like communication skills which gives us the edge.
My greatest challenge in banking... I haven't had any major challenge where gender is concern but my biggest challenge was last year this time. The post-budget chaos rocked relationships built with clients, they expressed anxiety because of their earnings and so the bank had to be more rigid in order to protect their clients. We had to find ways to soothe them and decided to be transparent and not fluff our way around clients because they can sense when you are holding back something.
In order to get ahead in banking... I am usually very assertive because I like to get things done, so sometimes it can come across as domineering but at the end of the day I don't see them as male qualities but strengths that I use to put in place so as to get things done. I can be very relaxed and sociable but also a no-nonsense person. People will either embrace it and I have been lucky so far that these qualities have only been embraced instead of shut down. I believe that every one should have a good mentor and when I just started out in Jamaica, Anya Schnoor of Pan Caribbean Financial Services was my mentor.
What motivates me to succeed... is just knowing that I have made money for my clients, closing a good deal for them because when they are happy it puts a bigger smile on my face and I never get tired of that feeling. I never get tired of speaking with them and showing them how much money they have and can make on their transactions.
This year's budget... going into the budget, I don't feel a lot of fear as I felt last year. I don't see any big surprises and I will only say that with the environment, we are in now it's conducive to investing with the right advice and women must seize the opportunity to do so.
The 28-year-old, who enjoys spending time with family and friends, jogging and playing squash, says five years from now she'll be storming the financial industry.
My ultimate goal is... to lead a financial institution. While at DB&G Ltd., I was under the leadership of Chris Williams and when I came to NCB he was the head, so five years from now I see myself stepping in his role as managing director. This last move that I made from DB&G Ltd. to NCB Capital Marketing Limited is a turning point for me. The step I have taken to drive sales for NCB is challenging but I think it will be incredible rewarding in the end.
MICHELLE MORRIS
Leaving footprints in finance
DEPUTY GENERAL manager of finance and investment at City of Kingston (COK) Co-operative Credit Union Limited on Slipe Road, Michelle Morris is hard-working, serious and fun-loving. She is considered to be well-rounded, balanced and an expert in her field.
Aside from her impressive academic achievements, Michelle Morris has also achieved excellence in the areas of music and sports. She played badminton in addition to several years of playing piano and the violin (with the Jamaica Philharmonic Orchestra) but confesses, however, that her most fulfilling achievements to date are her two sons.
"I have an 11-year-old and an eight-year-old and it's very difficult to balance family and work but I spend the time to drive them to school and make phone calls to them in between my busy schedule."
The 38-year-old held her first job in 1991 at the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. Here she got the opportunity to hone her financial skills.
I got involved in finance... in sixth form at St. Andrew High School. I picked up accounts and since then it has been part of my life. I got a scholarship to the University of the West Indies where I earned a Bachelor's of Science (B.Sc.) degree with honours in accounting (ACCA), and certified information systems auditor (CISA). My first job was at PricewaterhouseCoopers; there I got the opportunity to put theory into practice. I learned a wide range of computer audits and I was exposed to system at all types of institutions, thus creating a unique balance between accounts and systems.
At home I am a good financial controller... of course, we all have credit cards but I think I do a pretty good job. The bills get paid and over the years, I have improved because on the job I learn the consequences of overrunning one's credit.
My greatest challenge was... my three previous jobs. All the companies were new so I had to build them from scratch. I worked for two years at Capital and Credit Merchant Bank as the financial controller and then I was recruited by Grace, Kennedy and spent five years with George & Brandy (now FirstCaribbean Bank). These three companies were new and developing but working with them was another turn around experience for me and today I feel proud to know that these companies that have started from scratch are doing well.
In this male-dominated field, sometimes... you have to be aggressive and firm to get your point across and that's one of the reasons why I left PricewaterhouseCoopers. The male-to-female ratio was very different from COK. Here we have a better balance than the other places I have worked. There is equal male to female and it makes such a difference because women have a lot of scope and they think different from men, successful institutions with women on the management team have proven this.
My most memorable moment in finance... is helping my staff to get through difficult periods, leaving a smile on their faces, encouraging them and accepting them for who they are.
I see this year's budget affecting women... in a very large way. I see us tightening our belts a little more to make the money stretch. It's going to be hard especially for single women, they have to find alternative ways to survive, whether it's another job or additional business. Women are always perceived to be the ones to make sacrifices but we are strong.
Morris enjoys reading suspense novels but feels it's very important to keep fit and maintain valuable friendships and that's why she tries to build those that will outlast disputes and difficult times to come.
INGRID MACKAY
Driving a hard bargain
By Michelle Barett, Staff Reporter
INGRID MACKAY, manager of local treasury and marketing operations at Capital
and Credit Securities Limited, is a firm believer in living within one's budget
and believes that everone should know a little about finance. Mackay has been
at Capital and Credit for the past three months and is enjoying her position.
"I like working with this company as it is in line with my personal values
and I have learnt a lot since being here," said Mackay.
I no longer feel that the financial sector is male-dominated... although there
are still several men in the field, more women are entering the financial sector
and are becoming managers. It even shows in the high female attendance at universities
and evening classes. A lot more women are pursuing their MBAs in Finance, as
well as their AATs.
I was interested in the world of finance... right after leaving high school.
After graduation, I went to work in the commercial bank sector. I spent a few
years at Century National Bank and then went into merchant banking after being
recommended for the job by a former supervisor.
Budgeting my own finances is easier... because of the financial knowledge I
have gained throughout the years. I can make my money work for me and know how
to manage my finances properly. I would encourage everybody - men, women and
children - to get even a basic knowledge of financing and investment in order
to build personal wealth.
In order to get ahead in banking... a woman does not need to be aggressive
but she should be very confident and asservtive. I know for me these two chractersistics
have helped me to get through in life and help me to progress in my job. My
male colleagues will tell you that sometimes I strike a hard bargain when closing
a deal but at the end of the day they respect me more for it. For young women
entering this sector, I would advise hem that there's also a lot to be learned
from the men, especially those who have been in the business for a while.
Like previous years, the budget will affect our women... it will also impact
on our children and men as well. Every year after the budget is read, we all
feel a little down as we hear about the pending taxes and other measurements
the Government will take to raise money to pay off the country's debts. All
Jamaicans need to do is to re-align themselves and cut back on their spending,
especially on unnecessary things. They just have to make life more financially
manageable. I think the Jamaican woman is very resilient and she will bounce
back from anything, not only financially but also personally and professionally.
My greatest challenge... has always been working and studying. All my tertiary
studies are done part-time so you know how hard that is especially when you
have a demanding job like mine. I am presently doing an MBA at the University
of Manchester. It's hard, yes, but I know that at the end it will be very rewarding.
My most memorable moment happened... while I decided to take a break after
working for 15 years after leaving high school. I decided to stop working in
order to pursue my studies full-time but that did not last as at the end of
three months I was working again. During that time off from work I saw everything
about my life clearly. For me, it was a time for self-renewal and setting my
priorities straight. I also did a little travelling.
A banker and dancer
By Kinisha O'Neill, Staff Reporter
EVA LEWIS is 43 years old, a St. Lucian, and vice-president of corporate finance
and capital markets with Citibank (Jamaica).
Although the top posts... in most of the financial institutions have been typically
held by men, many of the most senior management positions in these organisations
have been, and continue to be held by women. My experience at Citibank has also
been in that vein. Many of the top positions within the bank locally and internationally
have been held by very capable women.
I actually had no intentions... of pursuing a career in banking at all. My
first degree is in fact a B.Sc. in Immunology and Microbiology . Having completed
an MBA in Philadelphia in 1987, I was asked to interview with Citibank on my
return to Jamaica. I liked the Citibank environment and culture immediately,
and when I was offered a management associate position, I accepted and have
never looked back since.
I don't support or subscribe... to the idea that women need to be 'bitchy'
to move forward, under any kind of circumstance. I believe that strong relationship
management skills, integrity, self confidence, and ability are far better determinants
of long-term success for both women and men. I fully believe that 'the cream'
eventually rises to the top.
My greatest challenge... has been managing or balancing family demands, with
my career. I have been married for 18 years to Allan, my husband and have three
beautiful daughters. It has not been easy trying to give 100 per cent to everything,
but I have survived and I think even flourished under the challenge.
My most memorable moment professionally... would have to be the execution of
the US$100 million bond for the Government of Jamaica in 1996. I led the team
on that deal. It was the first transaction of that kind to be done in these
markets and I still think about it with a lot of pride.
Three adjectives that describe me best... energetic, competitive, passionate.
Besides family and career... my other passion is dance. I am heavily involved
in the Tony Wilson Dance Centre and help produce and organise many of heir productions.
In addition to attending classes three times a week, I perform with his Adult
Repertory Ensemble.
