WeAreTheCity’s Rising Star Awards are now in their fourth year.
The Rising Star awards were introduced to showcase the UK pipeline of female talent below management and to create female 100 role models across 20 different industries and professions.
Over the year’s, the awards have recognised 400 women across the UK and India.
In this ongoing series, we speak to our winners about life after winning a Rising Star award.
We spoke with Erika Oteri, who won a 2018 Rising Star Award in Investment Management.
Tell us a bit about yourself
Accomplished and energetic sales management professional with over 15 years of experience. Successful in delivering sustainable revenue and profit gains in competitive markets. Well-versed in leading staff and mentoring with experience instilling motivation and dedication.
I have a versatile skill set with various experience in sales, customer service and product management in private and public organization. In the past I have worked both in public organizations like Lombardia Regional Government, NGOs in Milan, UN in Geneva and in private investment companies like AXA Investment management after finally landing in the fin-tech sector, where I am currently developing my career since 2007.
Recognized analytical and problem-solving skills, I define myself as a self-starter and self-learner with distinctive communication skills, drive to succeed and a constant will to learn and acquire new skills. I speak several languages ( Italian, French, Spanish, Dutch and a bit of Chinese).
Currently, I am responsible for the FX and Corporations advanced team in the Analytics desk in Bloomberg. As a team leader, I take pride in diversity and inclusion and in bringing out the best of people and set them to success. I am always striving to bring 100% to the work that I do and my goal is to build a strong and over-achieving team where team work is the key to success. As a result I have been selected for Leadership excellence course in 2017 for my company globally.
How did you feel when it was announced that you’d won a Rising Star award?
I felt very proud of myself because my work and what I do every day has been finally recognized. I had a feeling of belonging to a great community of women that in their category like me tried to do their best. I felt accomplished and at the same time honoured to be there.
Please tell us what has happened in your career since winning the Rising Star awards?
I am certainly more confident and therefore I have challenged myself more. I have been promoted to a new role in my company and I am now team leader for the Fixed income Trading desk. This team is considered the most strategic in the department as it deals with the most real-time and sensitive topics. In the past 3 months i have been learning a lot as i moved into this different area. During my mid-year eval, my manager told me that I am finally ready to become leaders of leaders and that the position of manager will be open for me very soon. I am also been selected as one of the mentors in a newly program designated for women top performers called ‘women in leadership’.
What advice would you give to someone else going through our award’s process?
Be proud that somebody has nominated you. This means that somebody out there is noticing your hard work and ambitions. You have been recognized amongst the future rising star. This is a great opportunity for your personal branding and for your networking. You have been given a platform for your female talent. Be inspired and inspiring.
What tips would you give to our other members to enhance their careers?
Be curious, never stop learning, expand your network, find a mentor, be positive and energetic, take feedback in a constructive way, believe in yourself, share your knowledge with others.
