Leticia's international journey began in Brazil, where she worked for a São Paulo-based company that later became a part of Julius Baer. When the Zurich office team needed a Portuguese-speaking employee for their Brazilian clients, she immediately expressed interest. Although the role wasn’t a match for her, she continued to share her career aspirations, staying visible, and nurturing connections with the team in Switzerland.
Her persistence paid off. When an Assistant Relationship Manager role on the Brazilian desk in Zurich became available, she was offered the position. While it might not have been the position she originally envisioned, it laid the foundation for her career progression to Account Manager and later Investment Advisor. Today, she works closely with clients, reviews portfolios, prepares investment proposals, and supports informed decision-making. What she enjoys most is staying close to the ever-changing markets and helping clients navigate financial choices.
Relocating from São Paolo to Switzerland accelerated Leticia's professional development. While her Swiss family roots helped her adapt quickly to the country and culture, not speaking Swiss German fluently remains an ongoing challenge. Professionally, however, the biggest adjustment was moving from Account Manager to Investment Advisor. Although she often worked with the same clients, she now had to establish herself in a new role, proving her expertise and earning their trust as an investment specialist rather than an administrative partner. “Doing something more technical, a deeper dive into investments, that's something that I really love,” she says.
Dennis' career journey started quite differently. Joining Julius Baer in Luxembourg ten years ago from an academic and management consulting background, he did not follow a traditional private banking path. Throughout his career, he built on transferable skills and remained open to opportunities that expanded his experience across functions and locations.
Today, as Chief of Staff to the Group CFO, Dennis supports strategic priorities across Finance, connects stakeholders, and helps drive key initiatives forward. The role offers broad exposure to finance, operations, and Group strategy, along with constant opportunities to learn and grow. “No two days are the same, and there is always a steep learning curve, and that’s exactly what makes the role exciting,” he says.
A major milestone came when he relocated to Singapore, combining his professional ambitions with a long-standing desire to experience life in Southeast Asia. The move represented more than a change in geography. While his role in Luxembourg was largely project-based, focusing on pricing initiatives and transformation projects in COO, Singapore gave him the opportunity to step into team leadership, taking responsibility for the Strategic Pricing function across Asia and leading change on a regional scale as part of CFO.
Working closely with Front Office, Finance, and IT teams, he helped modernise processes and implement new tools. This experience allowed him to expand his global network, preparing him well for his move to Zurich and his transition into a Chief of Staff role.
Mentorship and career development
After progressing from Assistant Relationship Manager to Account Manager, Leticia was twice nominated as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) talent, granting her access to mentoring, 360-degree feedback, and greater visibility across the organisaton. While her first nomination did not lead to a role change due to the lack of a suitable opening, her second coincided with an opportunity to move into Investment Advisory. Shortly afterwards, she became an Investment Advisor, and she later paid that support forward by becoming a mentor herself.
Dennis also credits both formal and informal mentors with helping shape his career. For him, mentoring provides an opportunity for reflection, learning, and personal growth. At the same time, he believes the exchange goes both ways, with junior colleagues often bringing fresh perspectives that help leaders continue learning.
Both highlight the support they have received at Julius Baer. Leticia believes the organisation encourages employees to make their ambitions known, while Dennis values managers who look beyond existing skills and focus on future potential.
Their advice to colleagues reflects these experiences. “Deliver excellence, be resilient, and go the extra mile. Do not be afraid to pursue opportunities that may seem out of reach,” says Leticia. Dennis adds: “Be brave and be patient with yourself. Don't regret the decisions you made. Every decision I took brought me where I am today, and each experience has helped shape both my career and my perspective.”
Both career paths show that progression doesn’t always happen in a straight line. Through new roles, new locations, and unfamiliar challenges, Leticia and Dennis have continued to expand their skills and perspectives. While support and opportunities matter, employees themselves are in the driver's seat. By remaining open, visible, and willing to step outside their comfort zones, they turned opportunity into growth.