Michèle Berger, Director Pictet Funds, Luxembourg

My experience
At first I was surprised to learn that, in Switzerland, employers often feared that women were not able to manage both a private and professional life at the same time. This is a subject that you would never broach with a man, even if he is a husband or father. Fortunately, I have really been able to enjoy an interesting career at Pictet, as the Bank has changed a lot in recent years, opening up interesting opportunities to women who have proved their worth. Now that this hurdle has been overcome, we are respected without any feelings of discrimination against us. Even though women are still under-represented at senior-management level, we definitely have our place and the fact of being a woman may even prove to be an asset!

My advice
Believe in yourself and your professional vocation, don’t let others discourage you, always give of your best and don’t pay any attention to other people’s comments.

Our qualities
The ability to stand back from situations through our multiple profile of mother, businesswoman, etc. and to multitask!

My credo
Your professional life is like your private life… you’ve got to like what you’re doing and find pleasure in doing it.