On International Women’s Day we often talk about workplace issues like representation and equal pay. These matter, but they are (in part) a downstream issue. In a male dominated industry, Operis’s modelling team has an unusually high proportion of women at all levels of seniority. When they talk about the path that brought them into finance, it’s clear that a key piece of their success story is the strong role models they had in childhood and the support that was given to their dreams and ambitions.
Veselina Aldred, CEO at Operis, grew up watching both her parents in positions of leadership. Her mother ran an infant school as Headteacher, and her father was a senior engineer in a large company. “I can see now how that reduced my concerns about working in a male-dominated environment,” she reflects, “and increased my confidence in the workplace in general. Having a mum and dad who both held senior roles made it feel normal that I could do the same.”
Growing up in Bulgaria, Ves was never told that mathematics, economics, or finance “weren’t for girls”. At school, she studied a broad range of subjects. By the time she moved to the UK and realised that some subjects were still seen as more “for boys” or “for girls”, her view of what was possible for her had already been formed by what she had seen at home.
Hilary Smart, Associate Director at Operis, had an upbringing that conveyed a similar message. Her parents met while studying mathematics at university, and dinner table conversations about logic puzzles were considered very normal. She has three sisters, and all four of them went on to study STEM subjects. “We grew up without a television,” she says. “I suspect that meant we were less constantly exposed to stereotypes than some children.” Maths became her favourite subject early on – partly, she jokes, because it required less handwriting and hers was terrible – and she later went on to study it at Cambridge.
Looking back, she credits her parents not only for their encouragement in maths but also for the way they took her seriously. “My parents always treated me as though I had important things to say, and I think that helped. I don’t feel nervous about speaking up in meetings if I have something to add to the conversation.”
Support from peers can be just as influential as support from mentors. Beth Taylor, one of our Consultants, found inspiration in the people sat right next to her in the classroom. “My role models have always been the women in STEM around me, especially my female friends. In science lessons, I’d sit with Phoebe and Kate (who are now in veterinary science and medicine). We were competitive in the best way, and we never once thought we should be worse at it because we were girls. Having that comfort blanket played a huge part in keeping me in STEM; it was what I was good at, so I never really considered giving it up.”
We recognise the progress that has been made over time. Beth notes that she is very aware that her experience wasn’t the experience of every generation. “I know this was very different when my mum chose to study further maths, and later medicine, so it is something I definitely don’t take for granted.”
Ariun Amgalan, one of our Analysts, had a mother who was no stranger to breaking down barriers. “My mum is a civil engineer and has spent her career in a field that is traditionally very male-dominated. When I was younger, I sometimes went to work with her because there wasn’t anyone else to look after me, so I grew up seeing her in that environment.”
Ari watched her mother occupy spaces that didn’t always welcome women and saw how she balanced both work and family life. “Watching her manage both a demanding career and our family made a big impression on me. It shaped my belief that women should pursue education, build careers, and feel confident working in any field they choose.” Given her mother’s technical and infrastructure-focused role, it wasn’t a huge leap for Ari to consider financial modelling as a career.
Both men and women have a part to play in supporting and encouraging girls. Ankita Mangal, Director at Operis, reflects on the impact of her grandfather in building her confidence. “My maternal grandfather was one of my biggest role models, and what I remember most is how he supported and encouraged the women around him, at a time when that wasn’t always the norm. He believed in equal opportunities and independence for women, and constantly reminded us that our voices mattered. He took my aspirations seriously, listened without judgment, and quietly reassured me that I was capable even when I doubted myself. His belief became one of the foundations of my confidence.”
Across all these stories, a common thread emerges – having someone who treats your ambitions as valid and your voice as worth hearing is critical for success. At Operis, we want to offer that to all our employees. We support mentoring and peer networks that make the next step feel attainable, and strive to create a culture where questions, curiosity, and ambition are welcomed from everyone.
We want to make sure that our people can see themselves at every level of the organisation. We know that role models don’t need to be perfect, and they don’t need to have every answer. Often, they just need to make it a little easier for the next person to think, “If she can do it, maybe I can too.”
As we mark International Women’s Day this year, we’re grateful to the women at Operis who are role models in their own right – for each other, for the wider industry, and for the young women who might one day follow in their footsteps.
