In my career, I have had the opportunity to work across a wide variety of roles in financial services—from computer programmer and analyst, to trader and portfolio manager, and a few in between. I have managed small teams, big teams, and global teams. Each stepping stone has helped shape who I am today.

Two of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned along the way are to be open to taking risks in my career and to embrace the unknown. I have always been someone who seeks out a challenge, and that has been a driver as I’ve advanced in my career. I’ve taken on roles where management had high expectations for substantial change in a short time or where expectations of success weren’t high.

These situations weren’t always easy or comfortable, but they helped me establish a reputation for achieving results. Some may find it surprising, but I continue to seek opportunities to step outside my comfort zone and encourage my employees to take stretch roles in their careers. You never know what windows of opportunity may appear when you make the conscious choice to get off the sidelines and open yourself to the prospect of tackling and learning from new challenges.

On Finding Success and Staying Competitive
As a business leader, your greatest assets are your people and firm culture. Taking the time to build an engaged and motivated team, and inspiring a culture of innovation, collaboration, and enjoyment in the work environment are critical ingredients for success.

On the Importance of Role Models and Mentors
It took a village. There have been numerous people in my life and career who have helped make me the person I am today.

On Facing Challenges
Initiating a turnaround and transforming an organization are always the hardest challenges. Initially, not everyone will be on board with your vision for the organization, but you need to get enough people to buy in, in order to germinate the transformation. Once the transformation begins to take hold organically, one voice becomes many and the evolution begins to take hold.

Marie’s Advice to Young Women Starting Careers
Be open to opportunities and aim to build a broad skill set. Don’t be afraid to take an assignment or a position outside your comfort zone. I have surprised myself many times with skills I have been able to develop through stretch assignments, and how those new skills influenced my career path in ways I couldn’t have imagined early on.