Markets Media spoke with Theresa Tan, Executive Vice President, Head of Greater China and South Asia Institutional, PIMCO, who won Excellence in Commodities at the 2024 Women in Finance Asia Awards.
Who have been the main influences in your career?
I am fortunate to have a number of great mentors guide me at different points of my career. One taught me to be exacting in my standards, another inspired me to be aspirational, and others emphasized the importance of compassion. A common attribute they all instilled in me is to hold myself to high standards, not to be afraid to try something new, and not fear failures.
What’s something you’re really proud of and why?
Just as I have benefitted from the counsel of many mentors, I have had the opportunities to work with, manage and mentor many colleagues of our next generation. Harnessing the potential of our next generation of talent is an area I am very passionate about, regardless of gender. Seeing them mature and grow within our firm brings me great satisfaction. I am very grateful to be part of their journey.
What are the current asset management trends?
The asset management industry is undergoing significant transformation driven by sustainability, technology, regulatory changes, and evolving investor preferences. In the last decade, we have witnessed substantial developments in sustainable investments and this will continue to evolve rapidly.
Looking ahead, we are in the early stages of embracing technology advancements in investment processes, such as the increasing use of AI and machine learning, and data-driven decision making. Likewise, in client management, I anticipate greater adoption of digital platforms, AI-generated service portals, and democratization. Additionally, we will see increasing adoption of alternative investments amongst asset owners.
Despite the changes, our key priorities remain unchanged: keeping tabs of market developments, staying close to our clients and meeting their needs.
What’s your favorite aspect of working at PIMCO?
PIMCO is a dynamic organization. There is never a dull day at the firm where new strategies, clients, market developments (including challenges) are constantly emerging and evolving. We thrive on the energy that comes from engaging with all these new initiatives.
The culture at PIMCO is highly collaborative, which I experienced first-hand when I joined the firm during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Everyone was very generous with their time, allowing me to seamlessly assimilate into my role.
I am also very thankful for the many opportunities and stretched assignments PIMCO has provided me, from overseeing the Singapore office to building up the Greater China and South Asia team, and moderating keynote sessions with prominent financial luminaries.
What’s your advice to the next generation of women in finance?
(1) Seek passion. Passion not only helps you feel energized and look forward to your work, but it also helps you navigate challenging periods.
(2) Embrace vulnerability and seek help. Don’t hesitate to ask for help, not just from senior colleagues but from peers across all levels. The collective strength of the people around you can support you through tough times.
(3) Don’t be afraid to fail or make mistakes. Each mistake will offer a valuable lesson. In fact, you often learn more from your failures than your successes. When you make a mistake, ask yourself: What went wrong? What can I do differently? How do I avoid repeating the same mistake?
©Markets Media Europe 2024
