Isabel L. M. Fontgalland

I attribute my success to my unwavering belief in the opportunities this country provides and my commitment to serving others. When I came to the United States 17 years ago, I embraced every opportunity with a vibrant belief that I was capable and would be successful, and it happened. I believe this is a land of opportunity where it doesn't matter if you come with $20 or $20 million - you have the same chance to be successful if you want it. I breathe each day believing that what I can do for others is meaningful, and what I can do for the country is meaningful. Even though I was invited here to do my postdoc rather than arriving as an immigrant, the opportunities grew so strong in my heart. My American dream became true because I embraced opportunities with conviction and a focus on how I can serve and help others through my work.

The best thing I could have received when I was a young economist was a strong intellectual foundation together with guidance and opportunities to think independently about economic problems. Developing solid analytical skills in mathematics, statistics, and economic modeling would have helped me move beyond simple descriptions and build clearer explanations of how economies function. Having a mentor who challenged my ideas, encouraged critical thinking, and helped refine my research and writing would also have been extremely valuable. Exposure to the classic ideas of economists such as Adam Smith, John Maynard Keynes, Milton Friedman, and Robert Lucas Jr. would have helped deepen my understanding of markets, institutions, and macroeconomic dynamics, while early research experience working with real data or academic projects would have strengthened the connection between theory and practice. It would also have been important to develop intellectual courage—the willingness to question dominant ideas, follow evidence carefully, and accept debate. In addition, exposure to real-world institutions such as governments, financial markets, and central banks would have helped connect economic theory with policy and practical decision-making. Finally, learning how to communicate economic ideas clearly through writing and teaching would have been essential, since economics is not only about analysis but also about helping others understand complex economic realities.

My advice to future leading women in this wonderful country is that besides the power that science can give to us, there are many ways to be important and recognized, and one of them is to be humble and giving. Whatever your work, field, or message, the number one priority should be to serve others. This is the meaningful importance - how can I help others, whether by teaching, by being influential with books and articles, or through other means. I believe this is our main entrepreneurship: to serve others. Once we do that, life is much more smooth, and we can easily find our way to be meaningful. I would tell my own daughter, who is a strong woman, that the key is understanding that our purpose is in service to others, and that makes everything else fall into place.

The biggest challenge for women in all fields, including economics and academia, is that we are challenged to produce more than men. In fields that involve not only intellectual work but also promotion of your own kind, women face the burden of being much more demanding than it is for men. We need to prove all the time that we are able to bring grants, to be outstanding, to be on the clock. When you are new in a place, field, or company, you must show that you are capable as the others are. While we are convinced that as years pass we are becoming more concerned about social problems, the big problem of women in professional fields gets neglected because it is not so visible. We live in a society based in meritocracy, and sometimes we must be equal, but it is not always with the same fairness. The challenge is cultural and traditional worldwide, and as we focus more on wars, inflation, education, and technology, the struggles of women in the field become less visible.

The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, intellectual curiosity, responsibility, and respect for others. Integrity guides how I approach decisions, ensuring that my work is honest, transparent, and consistent with my principles. Intellectual curiosity motivates me to continuously learn, question ideas, and explore new perspectives, especially when dealing with complex economic or social issues. Responsibility is also essential, as it reflects a commitment to fulfilling my duties with dedication, whether in professional responsibilities, teaching, research, or personal commitments. Finally, respect for others is fundamental in building meaningful relationships, encouraging constructive dialogue, and appreciating diverse viewpoints. Together, these values help shape not only the quality of my work but also the way I interact with people and contribute positively to the communities around me.