Terise Kettle, Senior Vice President of Investment Banking, Barita Investments Limited
What is one key change you believe needs to happen — whether in the workplace, community, or society — to create real progress for women, and how can you (or have you) contributed to making it happen?
ONE key change I believe is essential for creating real progress for women in the workplace is fostering an inclusive culture where diverse voices are valued and encouraged. Too often, leaders find favour with synchronisation of voices that mimic their own. Some leaders crave validation and often solicit feedback from team members who are likely to follow. However, fostering an inclusive culture is vital for the life blood of any organisation. It creates a more dynamic, innovative, and collaborative environment where team members feel valued and respected.
This is where, as women, we can make our mark, starting by marking atomic changes to decision making by being intellectually curious and exploring an alternate perspective. Having experienced ‘group think’ while navigating my career in the financial services industry, I understand first-hand how being open and creating an inclusive culture can be impactful: building self-confidence and strong leadership skills.
As the Senior Vice President, Investment Banking at Barita Investments Limited, I’ve made it my personal priority to create a culture of inclusion, especially when there is a lone voice with an alternate view. Whenever I get the opportunity to share my journey and the lessons I’ve learned along the way, I often wonder how much more I could have accomplished if more inclusivity was embraced. I want all women to know that it is ‘OK’ to have different point of view or perspective and be confident to voice it; more importantly, it is also ‘OK’ for others have a different viewpoint from you and for you to embrace it.
I often reflect on my own experiences, starting as an external auditor at PwC to now helping local, regional and international companies achieve their strategic imperatives, helping them to raise in excess of $130 billion. This was achieved through being confident enough to consistently challenge the status quo and embracing alternate views. I want all women to know that their aspirations are achievable, and particularly those in the financial services industry, that they have the potential to achieve greatness.
While women have made significant strides in the financial services industry, it is still male dominated. Whenever I get the opportunity to speak to future leaders, I focus on enhancing their skills and helping them navigate the complexities of our industry and encourage them to think broad and wide, but always to be open to other ideas. I encourage them to embrace all challenges and foster a growth mindset, ensuring they feel supported every step of the way. Additionally, I advocate for mentorship initiatives within my team, emphasising their importance in creating a workplace culture that champions women’s professional development.
This endeavour is not solely about career advancement; it’s also about sharing life lessons and helping to make the journey easier and inspiring the next generation of female leaders. I take great pride in knowing that I can play a role in shaping the future by helping women to become more confident and realise their true potential. Together, we can cultivate an environment where women not only thrive but also lead, benefiting not just our organisations, but the global society.
