Markets Media speaks to the Winner of the European Women in Finance 2024 award for Excellence in Trading Platforms, Tradeweb’s Alessandra Stagliano. 

What does winning your European Women in Finance Award mean to you?
I feel very honoured to receive this award, especially since it recognises women leading in the trading industry, not to mention the fact that all my fellow nominees have achieved so many accomplishments. The award has also reaffirmed that my decision to join Tradeweb over seven years ago, and move to Paris more than three, to drive Tradeweb’s sales efforts in the European Union (EU) with the support of the local team was the right one. Change can sometimes be overwhelming, but I was determined to do my outmost to make my move as impactful as possible, both for the business and for our clients.

It is no secret that the EU is a complex market and it is important to cater to the particular needs and nuances of each country, whether in France, Italy, Spain, or Germany. There is a misconception that electronic trading is not a relationship-focused business. In fact, one of Tradeweb’s greatest strengths is its extensive client network and the relationships it has built over the years with both the buy- and the sell-side. Expanding and strengthening these relationships with our clients in the EU has been my mission over the last few years, and this recognition from Markets Media makes me feel like I have fulfilled it.

My hope is that the European Women in Finance Awards help demonstrate to young women starting their careers that hard work – and taking risks – does not go unnoticed. Programmes dedicated to highlighting women’s contributions to financial services can, in turn, foster positive change in our industry, resulting in the next generation of successful women. However, while awards are important, organisations must continue to provide the appropriate support and opportunities to women employees at every stage of their career. As a member of Tradeweb’s Global Women’s Network, I get to see first-hand how crucial it is to empower the confident female leaders of tomorrow early on.

Is there a single achievement you are most proud of (and are prepared to share!)?
I have found that success is not the outcome of a single big achievement. Instead, it tends to be a series of small wins that have collectively had a large impact. I am Italian and I believe that the saying “Rome was not built in a day” also applies to financial markets. Finding new ways to make trading workflows more efficient is something I am truly passionate about, and when you love what you do, the rest just falls into place, at least most of the time! Truthfully though, I am mostly thankful and grateful to my talented and dedicated team, whose unrelenting efforts have bought greater speed, efficiency and transparency to markets, and helped to position Tradeweb as a true leader in electronic trading.

Throughout my career, I have always made a point to commit much of my time to mentoring young women, and helping them to navigate this industry and overcome roadblocks that may lie ahead. If I look back to when I first entered the financial services space, I would often be the only woman in the room. Today, the proportion of females in trading positions has grown tremendously, and if I played a small role in making that happen, that would make me immensely happy.

What advice would you like to pass on to women considering entering the industry?
We are in a relationship-driven industry, which is why young women should seek out individuals in their network, both male and female, who can provide guidance and helpful advice to advance their career development and cultivate their confidence in a majority-male industry.

Something I will always tell my mentees is to break through gender bias and use their voice. An organisation only flourishes when it is open to fresh ideas from diverse perspectives, so always speak up and look for opportunities where you can add value to a company.

While we are the captain of our own ships, it is also the responsibility of organisations and those in leadership roles to ensure they create an environment where all employees’ voices are heard and that their experiences and opinions matter. My goal will always be to drive the conversation further and advocate for an industry that champions and invests in women.

©Markets Media Europe 2024