Her Story
About Laura
I have been working in economic development for about 7 years. I started with Invest Puerto Rico, then spent 4 years with the government of Victoria Australia, and recently joined the Financial Times 3 months ago. My role involves providing data solutions on foreign direct investment to economic development organizations in the United States. I hold a Master's in Global Affairs from NYU with a specialization in Global Risk. I came to the US from Colombia 13 years ago and am grateful for the opportunities that hard work and some luck have brought me.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Laura
01What do you attribute your success to?
A combination of luck and hard work. I realize that you need luck, but you also need hard work. School was not an easy path but I paid for it myself and pursued opportunities.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Networking is a must. You have to go out, you have to meet people. And that's how great opportunities will come to life.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The field is hardcore dominated by men. There is a lack of women representation in meetings, especially when millions of dollars are on the line. As a Latina with an accent, it can be harder to be taken seriously, requiring extra effort to prove expertise.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.