Her Story
About Delia
I started my career in finance in 2004, working within hedge funds and private equity. In 2007, I was recruited away from private equity to UBS, where I began to understand wealth management as an industry. I took my path within UBS and became a financial advisor in 2013, which is what I am today. In my previous roles, I was helping to deliver financial products and financial solutions to clients in the back, supporting other teams in various roles. Now, I am the chief organizer of a financial plan and of financial solutions for my clients. My day-to-day is squarely upon speaking to end clients and doing ongoing learning and research around financial markets. When you're dealing with ultra-high net worth individuals, complexity of financial markets is important to understand. I've gotten to a place where I understand complexity of how to manage money, and now I'm advising on how ultra-high net worth individuals should manage their own money. Currently, the fact that I can manage a very large book of business and a very large team at an institution that is large and complex is by far my most notable achievement. I've been recognized by Forbes for that, and by other independent organizations for top women in the industry and top advisor in my state.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Delia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I work very well with others. I'm good at creating a team and working well within the construct of a team. I've done it many times. I think that's a necessity for what I'm doing. Not everybody works well in the construct of a team, but for me, it's been key to my success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I wouldn't say anybody told me this directly, but I figured it out through many different things: it's always good to know the details. No one can ever take information from you. Know the details. Don't let somebody else know the detail. You should know every detail ever in front of you. It doesn't matter how impactful or what level you are, but you've got to know the details.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Luckily, there's quite a few opportunities for women these days in this type of business because it is so multidisciplinary. I think that you should just set forth career goals and don't sweat the small stuff in between. Maybe have a five-year plan, start at a good job, do the best you can, know all the details, and then you'll make it, because it isn't like it used to be. Being a woman in business today is not easy, but it's much easier because there's so many of us there to help each other along. Another important thing: don't allow yourself to be the secondary. If you want to be a secretary, then you can be the secretary, but if you don't, don't let yourself fall into that role. It's very simple when you're in a meeting and there's seniors and a few juniors and somebody needs to go get the coffee or somebody needs to take the notes and a woman volunteers, and if it happens more than once, call it out. It's very easy for women to be put into a position. If you notice that you're always the one taking notes, or always the one making copies, or always the one filling out the parking validation, don't just do it. Make sure other people know how to do it, too.
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