Head of Capital Financing, Latin America, HSBC
"You get what you get and you don't get upset."
That's a lesson many children are taught in the classroom, to maintain order and avoid hurt feelings. But when her 4-year-old daughter brought it home from school one day, it struck Katia Bouazza as controversial advice.
Though she said it's fair to advise against getting upset, she hopes children grow out of the other aspect of that lesson. In banking, especially as a woman, no one should settle for what they get if they feel deserving and capable of more, said Bouazza, who also has a 19-year-old daughter.
"In the face of disappointment, we don't necessarily settle or want to compromise," Bouazza said. "There is often a plan B or another solution that we can explore to reach our goal. This instinct has been critical to my success as a businesswoman."
The volume of debt and equity deals fell 50% in 2015 as a result of a market slowdown related to Brazil and to commodities, but Bouazza, who manages HSBC's global financing businesses for Latin America, is nevertheless increasing market share. Further, this year she led the bank through the largest emerging market bond offering to date, a $16.5 billion four-tranche transaction with Argentina across three, five, 10 and 30-year tenors. That was the first time Argentina has had access to the international capital market since its 2001 default.
Bouazza also has been actively engaged in helping women succeed at HSBC. Most recently she spearheaded the company's Senior Women's Initiative, which focuses on visibility, networking and career progression to help women thrive at a senior level.
"To help teach, mentor and sponsor women to realize their full potential and contribute to our business and society inspires me, and keeps me motivated for both my colleagues and for my two daughters," Bouazza said.
