Every week, interesting personalities from the world of finance and beyond share their personal preferences in our section Backstage.

What do you do first in the morning?

The first thing I do in the morning is get the children ready for school. Some days I manage to do some exercise before the morning rush – it doesn’t happen as often as I would like, but I try to make time for it.

What is the best thing about your job?

Without question: the people. I work with great colleagues, clients, hopefully new clients, and market participants from all over the world. I really enjoy what we do. And the opportunity to exchange ideas and insights with so many different people is incredibly enriching.

A moment that changed your life ?

Leaving my home country to explore a new one was both exciting and scary – especially as a teenager. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp how profound this experience would be. It was a time of real personal growth, even if you often only realize that later. It shapes you quietly and in a way that only becomes clear in retrospect.

What does leadership mean to you as a woman in an often male-dominated industry?

Form e, leadership means bringing in different perspectives and approaches. I believe that diversity of thought leads to better decisions and greater innovation. At ist core, leadership is about listening and clearly communicating a shared vision – providing clarity on where we are headed and why – while empowering others to make meaningful contributions along the way. Our success depends on one another. Leadership also requires the courage to make decisions, sometimes difficult ones, while remaining open to feedback and willing to adjust course when necessary.

What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self ?

Life rarely unfolds exactly as expected – and that is often a good thing. Stay open to unexpected opportunities, as they can lead to the most rewarding experiences.

What are you particularly proud of ?

At the moment, I am especially proud that our company is making its first investment in Switzerland. Weh ave long investet globally on behalf of our clients, and now we can also count Switzerland among the countries in which we invest, as we are about to acquire Green Group AG and ist subsidiaries («Green»). Green’s expertise in operating and implementing data centers, combined with its leadership in sustainability, makes the company an ideal fit for us.

What has changed for women in the financial sector in recent years?

Over the course of my career, I have witnessed a significant increase in the number of women entering the industry and thriving within it. I hope more and more women feel inspired to pursue a career in finance. The industry benefits enormously from diverse perspectives. That is why it remains essential to continue creating opportunities, mentorship, and visibility at every stage of the career ladder.

What projects are you currently working on ?

There are several very exciting developments within the company at present, and I feel privileged to be part of them. My daily work is highly diverse, ranging from developing market entry strategies in Europe for our investment capabilities to planning and implementing client projects. On a personal level, of course, there are always ongoing projects involving the children.

What would be the biggest surprise for someone who had to take over your job for a day?

How much tangible investment expertise a firm like IFM holds in the infrastructure sector – and how directly one can access it.

What is your personal drive ?

Making things happen, guided by curiosity and conversations.

What do your employees value most about you ?

You would have to ask my colleagues. What I strive for, however, is to consistently demonstrate integrity and provide reliable guidance.

Your best investment?

Without a doubt, my best investment are my children – both in terms of time and money. If I can help them grow into kind, generous, and curious individuals, I believe they will be well prepared to face whatever life brings their way. Beyond that, i want them to write their own story.

Anna Demarmels is Head of IFM Switzerland AG and Head of Continental Europe within Global Client Solutions at IFM Investors. She brings more than 20 years of experience in the financial services and asset management industry, with a focus on investor relations and fundrasing for private markets and infrastructure investments across Europe.