What made you apply for the Mountbatten program?

I attended the Guardian Jobs Fair and was actively looking for a reason not to apply—some kind of disqualifying criteria. I couldn’t find one. It felt like the right kind of challenge at exactly the right time.

Describe your sponsor company and your role within it.

I worked at UBS in Stamford—one of Mountbatten’s largest corporate sponsors at the time. I was part of the Credit Operations team, starting with a crash course in “what credit actually is” and why it was at the centre of the global financial crisis.

My work included automating the issuance of Credit Event notices and managing the novation of Bear Stearns credit trades to another counterparty. This meant coordinating with multiple stakeholders across the industry to hit key project milestones.

The daily tri-state commute—complete with ferry rides over a frozen Hudson—was tough, but it also created an incredible space for connection with fellow Mountbattens. UBS covered our ferry tickets, which added a little magic to the journey. That year sparked a lasting passion for financial services, process improvement, and automation—threads that have run through my career ever since.

What was the highlight/most memorable moment of your working experience during this year?

Working side-by-side with traders and operations teams during one of the most intense macroeconomic periods in recent history was unforgettable. Each morning began with scanning headlines of yet another company entering administration—news that would immediately ripple into our day’s work.

These weren’t distant headlines—they directly impacted our team’s priorities, volumes, and the pace at which we had to respond. It was a crash course in resilience, real-time learning, and foundational industry knowledge, all under immense pressure. That kind of frontline exposure to financial market dynamics shaped my professional mindset in ways I’m still grateful for today.

What was the social highlight/most memorable moment during this year?

So many! But the standouts include Lollapalooza in Chicago, weekends at the Jersey Shore, and autumn camping in Savoy Mountain State Forest. Unforgettable moments with lifelong friends.

Please share a little wisdom/philosophy that you acquired during your internship

 Say “yes” to as many opportunities that come your way, you never know where you will end up, but there is usually a good story at the end of it.

Upon reflection, what do you consider has been the biggest impact of your Mountbatten year?

Meeting my future husband on a commuter train to Stamford. It all clicked on a road trip to Niagara Falls—proof that your career isn’t the only life-changing part of a Mountbatten internship.

What happened after completing the year – what did you do next?

I spent six weeks traveling through Central America, with a month in my favourite country—Guatemala, drinking fresh coffee that had been drying on the side of the road, on roofs and on any open surface by lake Atitlan is something I will never forget . Then it was back to the UK to weather out the financial crisis. By 2010, I had moved to London to begin my short stint on the BAML trading floor.

Where are you now in your working life and what do you do?

After a few years abroad, including time in Singapore, I’ve now been back in London for eight years. I lead an exceptional team of global Client Managers at StoneX Financial Ltd, supporting charities and institutional clients with cross-boarder payments.

My work centres on building a best-in-class Client Success model—leveraging tech and resourcing strategies to scale sustainably. I’m passionate about workplace equity and have launched Women’s Initiatives at both my current and previous companies, focused on mentorship, networking, and empowerment for junior women.

Beyond StoneX, I’m exploring non-executive roles with startups and charities, where I help strengthen their operating models and investor communications.

Do you have any future plans that you would like to realise & what are they (career & social)?

I aim to continue supporting female-led startups and scale-ups in an advisory role, eventually transitioning into fractional leadership to drive long-term impact.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I’ve completed several ultramarathons. Running long distances has taught me the same things my career has—grit, mindset, and the power of community.