Women With Impact #20 - Hedwige Nuyens
Welcome to Women With Impact, a newsletter all about the journeys of ambitious women and how they have a positive impact in our world.
I’m Clara Richter and this is the 20th edition of Women With Impact. If you enjoy this issue, please share it with a friend and like it above.
For this edition, I interviewed Hedwige Nuyens, CEO of the International Banking Federation, who is based in London. In her role, she oversees the global banking industry; with every major financial centre represented and 18k+ bank members. Hedwige chairs the data tech company Fable Data, which provides anonymised and real-time data on how European consumers spend their assets. Moreover, Hedwige chairs the non-profit European Women on Boards, which offers programmes unleashing the potential of women aspiring to reach positions of increased decision-making. Additionally, she has been nominated as Member of the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council for 2023, held under the Japanese Presidency.
Wishing you a pleasant read!
Best,
Clara
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The Journey
Who are you and how do you spend your time?
I am Hedwige Nuyens. I am the CEO of the International Banking Federation, representing the Banking Industry worldwide. I am also the Chair of Fable Data, a data technology firm headquartered in London. My pro-bono work is dedicated to European Women on Boards, an organisation that promotes equality of men and women in decision-making.
I have been married for 37 years with Marc, the love of my life. We have 3 children, all grown up now, Alexandra, Nicolaas and Jonathan.
I am passionate in everything I do. My main drive is to make change happen and contribute to a better world.
What does impact mean to you?
I was born in a family that preferred boys over girls. I could feel the disappointment of my parents; I never received any positive encouragement. I made the promise to myself that - if ever I would be in a position of influence - I would fight for equal rights, making it worth to be a girl, irrespective of expectations from family or society. For more than 25 years I have spent time every single day to help other women: as a mentor, coach, but also by speaking at conferences, giving trainings, and now as Chair of European Women on Boards.
What is a recent success you are proud of?
The adoption of the European Women on Boards Directive end of last year. The proposal had been blocked at the level of the European Council for more than 10 years. We contributed to unblock the situation and get a compromise approved. This was a fabulous achievement, and an incredible team effort. The Directive aims to reach gender balance at the top of stock listed companies. It will have a huge impact.
The Lessons
What's a challenge you have encountered most often and how did you tackle it?
I like to take on challenges. Creating or facilitating change means helping people evolve and move in a new direction. This comes with questions, fear, and resistance, which is completely normal. Being able to listen, take more time, looking at things from different perspectives, building buy-in is important. I still get it wrong sometimes. It is an opportunity to learn and grow. I now make sure to ask more regularly for feedback, listen and adapt.
How do you manage to combine so many roles and responsibilities?
The most important thing is to take good care of yourself, to stay fit and healthy. Then to foster and nurture your family and relatives. They are the most important in your life. Third to choose how you spend your time. I started my career all over 3 times, which came with a lot of risks. I am lucky to have a partner who is really supportive. We have been discussing each career step together, and I also helped realise his objectives and projects. Energy is infinite when it is balanced: if you like to give, be open to receive.
The Inspiration
What resource do you think more people should take use of?
Live every day as if it was your first and your last. Every day is a new day, an opportunity to start again, to let life inspire and surprise you. Every day can be the last one as well. So don’t waste time in things that are not important. And not that many things are important. I am much more detached now than when I was 20 years old. I had a severe car crash, and my husband was terminally ill at some point. We both recovered, so every day is a blessing. I feel privileged to be able to contribute and serve.
What advice would you like to give to women who feel stuck in their career?
Think of a moment or time when you felt valued and happy. What were the circumstances? What made you feel this way? Try to distil your skills and find out how you want to contribute. Then, map who could use your skills and which kind of environments would fit you. It is very difficult to change organisations. The better option is to assess what you are good at, what you have to offer, and which environment will value what you have and want to give.
What is the best advice you received?
Be grateful for what comes, be open for new things. Listen to what people have to say, or perhaps don’t say. Nurture and value little things, a smile, sunlight, a familiar voice but also really big things like freedom of speech, peace, a safe environment, democracy… Everyone can make a difference; you can start now.
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