Welcome to the Forty Over 40 blog. Every week we spotlight one of our honorees and their thoughts on reinvention, mentorship and momentum…plus a peek into what makes them tick.
This Q & A is with Tina Fordham. Tina is the Managing Director, Chief Global Political Analyst at Citi Research Citigroup. As the first and only chief political analyst to work for a major financial institution, Tina is a trailblazer in the field of political analysis for companies and investors. Named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Finance, Tina is also one of the top-read research analysts on Wall Street.
1. What was a pivotal moment of reinvention for you?
The onset of the financial crisis from 2007 saw an almost perfect storm of challenges: giving birth to my second child, my promotion to MD at Citi, and being the sole breadwinner for my family at a time when my industry was under once-in-a-generation pressure. It forced me to become more entrepreneurial, be highly disciplined, and use the crisis as an opportunity to transform my work. I was able to connect with a whole new audience and became a high-profile public speaker in the process. It was sink or swim.
2. Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?
I have 3: Jennifer Scardino, now at Santander, who sponsored me for MD and helped me navigate the financial crisis; Rosemarie Forsythe, recently retired from her role as head of International Political Strategy at Exxon Mobil and a former chief negotiator on arms control at the US State Department who helped me think about how to define my role at Citi, and Anne Richards, CIO at Aberdeen Asset Management and a nuclear engineer by training who is a tireless promoter and connector of women. All are wonderful friends, mentors and supporters.
3. What is your biggest goal right now?
To redefine banking research. I’d like to continue to find new ways to help senior decision-makers make sense of global complexity, bring together experts from across disciplines to solve problems and form new networks — and have fun doing it. Also, sleep more. These goals contradict one another, I realize.
4. How did you get your first job? How did you jump to your second job?
I got my first job at the age of 14 by walking into what I thought was the coolest shop in San Jose, California, Streetlight Records, and asking for it. I cleaned records for $2.85 per hour, or more if I wanted records instead of cash, and I was on top of the world. I am not sure I ever formally applied for a job thereafter; I’ve always tried to spot opportunities and creatively pitch how I can contribute, from teaching English in a small town in then-Czechoslovakia to convincing Citi that they needed a Chief Political Analyst.
5. What time do you typically wake up? What do you do every morning?
I wake up at 6 every day for the market open, have two cups of coffee while reading the overnight headlines to see what might move markets that day, and either head to my office in London’s Canary Wharf, catch a plane to see clients somewhere on the Continent or the US, or take my daughters to school.
6. How do you unplug? How often do you unplug?
I don’t do much unplugging, as my role analyzing the impact of political developments for financial markets is more or less 24-7. I do decompress though, by running in the parks of Northwest London 4 or 5 times per week. That clears the cobwebs. Music also helps: I’m a proud supporter of the Academy of Ancient Music in London, a baroque orchestra which performs using period instruments.
7. What challenge / achievement are you most proud of?
My two daughters think girls can do anything. They take karate, play with dolls, and insist on playing Helen Reddy’s, “I Am Woman” while getting dressed in the morning. I swear I didn’t put them up to it.
8. What was the last business book you read?
I never read business books, though I do like business school case studies. I think you can learn more about human nature from fiction, and the writing is much better.
9. What cause do you most want to advance?
Improving conflict resolution, which is leading to unprecedented flows of refugees (2/3 of whom are women and children) and furthering the economic prospects of women and girls by reducing gender inequality, a topic we took on in a recent paper, Women in the Global Economy: Global Growth Generators, available here: “Women in the Economy: Global Growth Generators”.
10. What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
Madeleine Albright said there is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women. I feel extraordinarily lucky that I’m part of a community of women — friends and colleagues — who really support each other, professionally and personally. They’re indispensable. And a few good men, too.
11. What is your “keep me going” quote?
Virgil: Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat– Fortune favors the brave.
12. What is your secret indulgence?
Sourdough toast with a lot of melted butter. Reading in bed. And dancing.
Check out Tina Fordham’s full 40 Over 40 profile here!
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