Andréa Sekularac
Sustainable Investment project manager
Andrea Sekularac, Project Manager, Sustainable Investment at Asset Management Europe, has been ranked 27th in the top 35 Young Positive Leaders under 35, published by Positive Planet in partnership with the French media Les Echos.
For the second year in the row, Positive Planet, an NGO whose mission is to promote economic inclusion through positive entrepreneurship, is organising a ranking of 35 young positive Leaders under 35 in partnership with the French media Les Echos. This ranking brings together entrepreneurs, founders of associations, influencers, activists and corporate executives under 35 years old, whose common goal is to act and propose solutions with a strong social, environmental or societal impact, and to inspire future generations
Tell us about your career at Rothschild & Co?
I joined Asset Management Europe in 2016, in the Product Management team. I then joined the Investment Solutions team and, since 2020, work as Project Manager Sustainable Investment in the ESG and Financial Analysis team.
Why did you decide to apply for this ranking?
My answer might sound like that of a talent show contestant, but in fact, it was a colleague who nominated me. She asked me if she could nominate me and I thought, “why not”, without really thinking that there would be a follow-up. I was already aware of the initiative and had seen last year’s ranking. I wouldn’t have dared to nominate myself, so I am very grateful to her.
What do your daily tasks include?
Within the ESG and financial analysis team, I participate in defining the investment process and, in particular, the identification of tools to limit our negative impacts. I supervise the operational deployment of the solutions we develop, contributing to the dialogue that this generates with the companies in our realm of investment. At the same time, I seek to build a selection process that allow us to identify the companies with the best sustainable potential on critical themes, such as Net Zero or diversity and professional inclusion. The Asset Management business has been transformed by the consideration of these issues and largely relies on the ability of all teams to integrate this evolution. One of the aspects of my job that I particularly enjoy is getting the teams on board with sustainability. Changing the way we operate, and the way we think about each of our activities is, in my opinion, the most sustainable positive impact.
What are your main motivations in this line of work?
Although Finance is sometimes viewed as a relatively rigid industry, deeply rooted in their certainties, I find you can always shake things up. It doesn’t happen overnight, but once the momentum is there, many opportunities open up. The profession has changed tremendously in the last few years. What some people saw as additional constraints, is now seen as a logical evolution linked to major societal issues. Personally, I am quite proud of the “Net Zero” expertise we launched three years ago. Its innovative and differentiating approach is proving successful thanks to the total involvement of each contributor.
What are your next challenges?
Over the last decade, the Finance sector has been heavily involved in climate change issues through various initiatives. Social issues have suffered from a certain “prioritisation of emergency”. My main challenge over the next few years will be to ensure that social factors are taken into account in the company analysis so that this risk factor can be integrated into market prices as best as can be, as is now the case with climate risks.
What was your reaction when you heard about your nomination?
I was very pleasantly surprised. It took me a little while to realise what it meant. This recognition gives even more meaning to what I do. On the other hand, I almost feel an extra pressure, I have the feeling that I have more responsibility now, even though it will not fundamentally change the way I work. Above all, it is extremely gratifying because it enhances our commitment to developing solutions for sustainable finance. Even if I am the one mentioned, it is a very appreciable recognition of the work of a team but also of the involvement of the whole company and especially of our top management.
Beyond your role in the company, are you involved in any engagement initiatives?
Through R&Co4Generations, I participated in a mentorship program with the Fondation Marcel-Bleustein-Blanchet pour la vocation with a young woman who wants to make her career in the world of banking and financial regulation. I also participated in several initiatives (Sport en Ville and Moi dans 10 ans) and met with Masters students to introduce them to my work and to raise their awareness of the challenges of sustainable development so that these issues can be part of their professional and daily reflections. Youth education is a theme close to my heart because youth are particularly prone to inequalities and, in a world of work challenged by the quest for meaning and fulfilment, becoming a professionally accomplished adult is a pressure that is sometimes heavy to bear. Through my work, I want to show that anything is possible, especially having a positive impact in the financial sphere, as long as you get involved and propose new solutions.
Find the complete ranking on Les Echos website. [French only]
