When Laura relocated from Singapore to Madrid last year, she was coming home. After seven years strengthening Julius Baer’s compliance capabilities – particularly in anti-money laundering (AML) – across Switzerland and Asia, she returned to Spain to build up and lead the new Monitoring Hub for Compliance. 

Around the same time, Lidia was embarking on a different journey. Having built her expertise in the telecommunications sector, Lidia joined Julius Baer in Madrid as a Support Engineer and now, just over a year later, she has progressed into a leadership role overseeing IT Service Operations.

Turning ideas into reality

On paper, compliance and technology are different worlds, but Laura and Lidia share much the same motivation: a desire to learn and make a meaningful difference. Their stories reflect our investment in the future. As Julius Baer expands its capabilities in the Spanish capital, we’re creating opportunities for people to help shape the future of wealth management. 

Laura relishes the opportunity to help build something new while benefiting from our stability as an established international wealth manager with strong Swiss roots. “It’s rewarding to see how ideas evolve into reality,” she says. “When you’re involved in building something over many years, you develop a greater sense of ownership and pride in the outcome.”

Lidia has experienced that same entrepreneurial energy from a different perspective. Joining our growing organisation brought opportunities to contribute immediately and make an impact. “Things move quickly here,” she says. “You can see the results of your work, and people’s contributions are recognised. The combination of agility and opportunity creates an environment where our people are empowered to take initiative and grow.”

The value of saying yes

Neither Laura nor Lidia originally set out with a clear vision of where their careers would take them. Laura studied law alongside translation and interpreting before discovering compliance through a junior position at another bank. The role immediately appealed to her because it combined legal and regulatory expertise with the fast-moving world of financial services. 

“I realised it brought together the things I enjoyed most,” she explains. “It was analytical and technical, but it was also about understanding people, working with different stakeholders, and solving problems.”

Lidia developed her expertise through eight years in telecommunications, building technical skills and earning certifications along the way. She came across the vacancy at Julius Baer on LinkedIn. “I wasn’t specifically looking for banking,” she says. “But I liked what I saw and thought, ‘Why not?’ Sometimes the opportunities that change your career are the ones you weren’t expecting.”

Curiosity and openness have been defining characteristics of both women’s careers. “Not every step needs to be planned,” says Laura. “Every experience teaches you something and helps prepare you for what comes next.”

Growing beyond your comfort zone

A theme running through the conversation with Laura and Lidia is the importance of taking ownership of your development. Laura’s international career path highlights the opportunities available within our organisation for those willing to step outside their comfort zone.

“Julius Baer offers mentoring, training, and leadership opportunities, but you also need to be proactive and think about where you want to go,” points out Laura. For colleagues considering an internal move, her advice is simple: don’t be afraid to try something new. 

Lidia’s promotion to Team Head IT Service Operations reinforced her belief that hard work and initiative are recognised. The transition also brought new challenges, particularly when presenting to senior stakeholders and leading a growing team. “But the more I do it, the more confident I become,” she says with a smile.

Life beyond the job titles

Outside work, both lead busy lives that help keep them grounded. Having relocated back to Spain, Laura enjoys exploring new places in her homeland together with her two young children. Parenthood, she says, has also made her a better leader. “It teaches you how to prioritise and focus on what really matters.”

Lidia’s outlook has been shaped in different ways by her Spanish-Finnish background. She recently enrolled in a business school programme through the University of Helsinki while continuing to lead her team in Madrid. “I’ve always believed it’s important to keep learning,” she says.

Working as one team

As their teams work closely with colleagues across Switzerland, Spain, Singapore, and other locations, collaboration is a defining part of daily life. Success depends on communication, trust, and an appreciation for different perspectives. “We all come from different backgrounds and cultures,” says Laura. “The key is staying open-minded and remembering that everyone is working towards the same objective.”

Laura and Lidia are also aware of the responsibility that comes with their roles. For Laura, the challenge lies in keeping pace with an increasingly complex regulatory environment. “Regulations continue to evolve, so you need to stay ahead,” she observes. “It’s important to remember that what we do ultimately supports the bank’s long-term success.”

Lidia shares a similar perspective. While technology may often operate behind the scenes, she recognises the impact her team has on colleagues across the organisation. “When everything is working well, people don’t think about what’s happening in the background,” she says. “But every day we’re helping others do their jobs effectively.”

Part of something bigger

Whether helping build a new organisation in Madrid, supporting colleagues across the globe or navigating complex challenges, Laura and Lidia see themselves as part of something bigger than their individual roles. That sense of shared ownership makes them proud to be part of Julius Baer. 

Madrid is becoming an increasingly important part of how our bank continues to grow and transform – and for people who are curious, ambitious, and eager to contribute, there has rarely been a more exciting time to be part of it.