Banking on my dreams

Sonam Reel, 24, is the product manager for investment at Standard Chartered Bank in Nairobi. She tells Shirley Genga what drives her success

How was your childhood and what did you want to be?

I am the lastborn in a loving family and I was and I’m still pampered. I also had a good education. Growing up, I had many career dreams including being a pilot or cardiologist. My dad thought I would do well in banking because of my strengths. Looking back, I can say it’s one of the best decisions he ever made for me.

Which schools did you go to?

I was at Arya Vedic for primary and secondary school and then I did bachelors in Business Administration (Finance) at the Swiss Management Academy.

What is your work history?

I have been in the banking industry for four years. I started my career with an international bank after which I moved to Standard Chartered Bank as a relationship manager for investment services. I later moved into products for current and savings accounts.

What position do you hold now and what does your job entail?

I am currently the Product Manager for Investment Services and my key responsibilities include product structuring, investment portfolio management, business planning and marketing management.

Sonam Reel

What are the challenges of your work?

The key challenge is to bridge the gap between the educated and the developing market. The skills and knowledge are there, but the market to conduct the business is still adapting to investments. I, however, believe this challenge will be a key opportunity with time.

What do you love about your job?

I like tracking markets and seeing the global performance on a day-to-day basis. I also get to enhance my networking skills within my workplace and externally. I have also had the opportunity to travel, which has not only expanded my knowledge, but it has also made me appreciate diversity.

How is a day in your life?

I am currently focused on my career and most of my days are about carrying out my day-to-day responsibilities, performing to my best and learning something new. I am a morning person and I prefer to go to work early to plan. I start my day by reading market reports and tracking portfolios followed by a discussion with my boss on key strategies and execution. I also track the business from the sales team and follow up on pipelines and leads. Looking for new areas of business is also my key focus.

Advice to anyone who wants to do what you do?

I’d like to address anyone who has a dream. Work hard and be focused and there is nothing you can’t achieve. I had a dream to be successful and I am still striving to achieve it. The investment sector requires constant learning and it is a process that needs to be taken one step at a time.

Why did you decide to grow your hair so long?

When I was 14, I saw an episode on Oprah called the Rampunzel Show. It was about young girls who had cancer and wore wigs because they lost their hair during treatment. All they wanted were wigs made of real hair not synthetic. In the show, some women decided to grow their hair and cut it in order to give it to an organisation called ‘Locks of Love’ in Florida, which makes natural wigs for girls who have lost their hair during cancer treatment. That episode really touched my heart and I decided to grow my hair. I have done so for ten years now and I hope to donate it some day to ‘Locks of Love’.

Who is your role model?

My mother. She is a strong and independent woman and a good example to my sister and I. She is also my best friend. I also look up to my sister who is currently in South Africa doing her masters in Science and Technology. She is not only a visionary, but also hardworking.

Future plans?

I plan a lot, but I also like to remain flexible in case I need to make changes. I see myself leading an international bank in the investment-banking sector, as that’s the area of my focus and, most importantly, where my passion lies.