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Yulia Chekunaeva

MSc Economics and Finance, 2006

'Believe in yourself and don’t think you need to compromise anything'

Director, Capital Markets En+ Group and Chair of Warwick Women’s Professional Network Committee


What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

It’s a day recognising the role of women in a global society. To me personally, it is a day to celebrate what we have done and reflect on what we will be doing. From my Soviet childhood, it is a day when men, with their sweet gestures and mimosa flowers and tulips, gave respect and showed appreciation to important women in their life.

What do you think is the biggest challenge women are facing today?

The biggest challenge we are facing today is still in the workplace - be it a glass ceiling, pay gap or representation of women. We still have a long way to go. Yet society is increasingly more receptive, recognising those challenges and helping women achieve more. A great example of this is the recent Finnish elections where Sanna Marin became the youngest Prime Minister in the world.

What advice would you give to female students and alumnae?

Believe in yourself and don’t think you need to compromise anything between family or professional life, health and success at work.

Is there a woman you look to for inspiration?

There are a few to mention and not one to single out. I get inspired by someone's character, ambition, values, and genuine attitude towards life.

What did you love about studying at Warwick?

I absolutely loved the atmosphere - it's something I carry with me in life. It felt like home. As an environment it was very engaging and it had a great diversity in its faculty, administrative workers and students, It has great ambition as a young university and a truly unique institutional ethos.