Andrea Gibbons, Managing Director, Human Resources, DTCC won Excellence in Human Resources at Markets Media Group’s 2022 Women in Finance (U.S.) Awards.
What have been the main drivers of your success?
I believe HR exists to enable and support the overall success of the business. It’s really about developing and implementing strategies to attract, retain and motivate talent so we can collectively achieve our business objectives. I’ve been fortunate to work with many talented colleagues and mentors who’ve helped me to not only gain deep understanding around business drivers and objectives, but also the strategic role HR can play in helping an organization to achieve those goals. These mentoring relationships have been key to my success in HR.
What keeps you motivated?
Many aspects of my job keep me motivated. However, being able to make a difference stands at the top of the list. DTCC sits at the center of the financial markets, and I am motivated by my focus on bringing out the best in our people to deliver upon our mission each day. I am also passionate about creating a culture where people want to be. The reality is that we spend a significant amount of our lives at work, and I want to help make sure that people find enjoyment and fulfillment in the workplace. I also love learning new things, and at DTCC, I’ve been able to play an important role in many industry-leading initiatives, working alongside collaborative, innovative teams.
If you could trade places with any other person for a week (famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional) with whom would you trade?
Adele! I would love to be able to sing like Adele and travel around the world, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures.
What’s something you’re really proud of and why?
I’m very proud of the way DTCC supported employees globally during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially amid so many unknowns. Whether it was helping to empower employees and stay connected in a remote work setting, purchasing vaccines for our staff, or helping our colleagues to better understand our wellness benefits, DTCC teams truly stepped up to support each other. I’m also proud of our sharp focus on DEI and all of the ways we drive and create community across the organization. We are deeply focused on creating a culture of belonging which I think is key to our success.
How would you describe your work/management ‘style’?
Leadership is about collaboration and creating an environment where everyone can do their best work. My goal is to always be direct and collaborate with my team by delegating work, leading by example and making sure they know I care. As a leader in the organization, my focus is to create an environment where my team can reach their objectives and thrive. To achieve this, I work to create an environment where people can actively debate issues, listen to each other, and foster trust and respect. The goal is to create a community where everyone contributes.
What’s your advice to the next generation of women in finance?
My biggest piece of advice is to surround yourself with good people. For women in finance in particular, I think that the importance of having supportive peers and mentors and working at a mission-driven, DEI-focused organization are incredibly important.
