Allianz SE : Women in leadership at Allianz

Lorella Sdrigotti tells young people starting out on their career how important it is to be courageous and to state their point of view, "even when there are more experienced senior male bosses in the room".

Lorella was previously team leader of the "Sustainability P&C Small and Medium Enterprises" project in Munich and is now Head of Technical Area Non Motor Retail, SME and Modular Architecture at Allianz Italy. Lorella is currently also a Board member at Allianz Telematics and Executive Location Manager in Trieste.

Read the interview with Lorella Sdrigotti

Barbara's advice to young talent in our challenging environment: "Show intellectual curiosity when it comes to career development, do your homework, and don't lose your sense of humor".

Barbara Karuth-Zelle started her career at Allianz with a trainee program back in 2000. Twelve years later she was appointed a Member of the Board of Management of AMOS SE, responsible for Business Transformation. In her role she is supporting Allianz companies all over the world to become more digital by providing them with the necessary solutions and knowledge.

Read the interview with Barbara Karuth-Zelle

Gabriele Tischler thinks it's important to invest in your own career development. But she also knows: "Often things don't turn out the way you would have planned them."

Gabriele started her career at Allianz in Munich in 1998. Various marketing, sales and project management roles at Allianz Seguros in São Paulo followed, before she joined Allianz UK in 2009. Since 2011 she has been Head of Market Management Commercial and member of the Commercial Executive team.

Read the interview with Gabriele Tischler

When describing her job to her children, Anamika Rashtrawar used to compare it to their favorite toys: "When you build a house with your lego blocks, you put a wall around it to protect it. At work, we do the same."

Anamika Rashtrawar is the Chief Marketing Officer for Bajaj Allianz General Insurance in India and is responsible for Bancassurance, Corporate Direct, Broking, Renewals and the geographies of East and North of India. She joined the company back in 2003.

Read the interview with Anamika Rashtrawar

Susanne Kanngiesser tells young people to express their goals in an open and self-confident way and discuss them with their manager. Other than that, she knows "you also need a healthy dose of luck".

Susanne started her career at Allianz in 1993 as an employee in the Accounting Department. Since 2002, she is Head of Group Accounting & Reporting at Allianz SE and directly reports the CFO.

Susanne holds a PhD in Business Administration from the University of Munich (LMU).

Read the interview with Susanne Kanngiesser

Cristina del Ama Redondo thinks it's important that you have a strong bond with your company and work closely with your team: "Surround yourself with a good team of people and rely on them."

Cristina joined Allianz in 1992. Currently she is Deputy Managing Director and Member of the Board of Allianz Seguros responsible for Life & Health Business. She is also Managing Director of Allianz Popular.

Read the interview with Cristina del Ama Redondo

"Don't become a man, you don't need to."

Ida thinks it is important to stay true to yourself: "You have to take your decisions, and you have to sometimes take some risks. You don't have to know 100 percent of what you will do in the next opportunity."

Ida Luka-Lognoné is Member of the Board of Allianz Worldwide Partners responsible for Strategy, Innovation & Market Management. From April 1st, 2015, Ida will become CEO of Allianz Worldwide Care and Head of International Health within AWP Board. Prior to her current role, Ida was Board Member and CEO for Allianz Global Assistance's Europe Middle East Africa region.

Read the interview with Ida Luka-Lognoné

"Like a soccer team coach or an orchestra director"

Fabiana Castiñeira is the CEO Of Allianz Argentina. She joined Allianz in 2000 as Manager of the Auditing Department, Planning & Controlling, and finally Director of Finance and IT (CFO, CIO and CRO) before becoming CEO in 2012.

Prior to her job at Allianz, Fabiana Castiñeira has successfully worked in companies such as Price Waterhouse Coopers, Citibank and MassMutual Life.

Fabiana advises all women "to value themselves, trust themselves, be determined and hard-working" and to not let gender prejudices get in the way of their career aspirations.

Read the interview with Fabiana Castiñeira

"Get your hands dirty!"

The Norwegian-born Line Hestvik has been Head of Global P&C at Allianz SE since 2013. Before she moved to Munich to work for Allianz, she held several top management positions at a Nordic insurance firm. She also completed a degree in Business at a Norwegian business university with an internship at an American Business university.

For Line Hestvik it is important to gain experience in different business areas. Getting one's hands dirty to Line means: "Be out in the business, learn a craftsmanship. You will make mistakes but learn from your mistakes. That makes you a mature leader that can then deal with a bigger setup later."

Read the interview with Line Hestvik

"Don't try to please everyone all of the time"

Anh Tran was born in Vietnam and grew up in the USA, where she completed an MBA. She joined Fireman's Fund in 2000, and transferred to Allianz SE in Munich in 2004. She has been Head of Internal Audit there since 2010, and reports directly to the Chairman of the Board of Management, Michael Diekmann.

Anh Tran thinks it is important to know your own boundaries. "We have to prioritize, choose what we can do and what we can't do. We shouldn't try to please everyone all of the time. And sometimes we also have to be selfish and ask for what we want."

Read the interview with Anh Tran

"Get out of your comfort zone"

In 2013 Aylin Somersan-Coqui became CFO of Allianz Turkey. Her career at Allianz began in 2003 at Allianz Global Investors in Munich. She went on to work for PIMCO in Munich, Newport Beach and London. Before she took on her current position, she managed the office of the Chairman of the Board of Management, Michael Diekmann.

Aylin Somersan-Coqui thinks it is important to learn from mistakes and not shy away from challenges. "That is the best way to prepare for tough business situations where you need to make some critical decisions. It's also a great way to develop your skill set in a well-rounded manner."

Read the interview with Aylin Somersan-Coqui

"Take up opportunities when they present themselves."

Helen Silver is the Chief General Manager of the Workers Compensation Division at Allianz Australia, with responsibility for supervision and delivery of Workers Compensation services across Australia.

Prior to this role, Helen held senior positions in both the Victorian and Commonwealth public services.

Helen advises young people to seize opportunities: "Don't wait till you think you're 100% ready to take up a job opportunity, just go for it."

Read the interview with Helen Silver

Astrid Kaltenegger joined Allianz in 1991 in Group Legal Services. She is currently Head of Allianz4Good and H3 Business Management. Prior to this, Kaltenegger was COO of the Allianz Alternative Assets Holding GmbH.

Read the interview with Astrid Kaltenegger

Sylvie Ouziel joined Allianz in February 2012 as Chairwoman of AMOS SE. She has more than 20 years of experience working with international consulting firms. Prior to her new role, she was Global COO for Accenture in Paris, where she was responsible for operational business performance, internal transformation programs and assisting with communication to industry and financial analysts. In her consulting capacities, Ouziel supported various global companies in shaping and developing business and IT global shared services.

Read the interview with Sylvie Ouziel

Elisabetta Petrucci is currently Head of Strategies Development at Allianz Italy. Before being appointed to this position in October 2010, she was Head of Strategic Planning (2005 - February 2007) and Head of Life Business (February 2007 - September 2010). Elisabetta Petrucci graduated in Business Administration at Bocconi University. She joined Allianz in 2005.

Read the interview with Elisabetta Perucci

Brigit König, CEO of Allianz Private Krankenversicherungs-AG, recommends women who aspire to be top managers to stay true to themselves. "And stay away from management literature you can buy at the airport."

Read the interview with Birgit König

Silke Grimm is Chief Financial and Administration Officer and Member of the Board of Euler Hermes Kreditversicherungs-AG. She likes meeting new challenges in her job every day. "It is good to look for mentors who will give you feedback."

Read the interview with Silke Grimm

Sinéad Browne is Chief Personnel and Risk Services Officer of Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty. She would like to tell women, who aspire to be top managers, that the way up is often not reached best directly. Her own CV is characterized by side steps.

Read the interview with Sinéad Browne

Teresa Godinho, CEO of Allianz Portugal, places great importance on trusting yourself. "They should give their best every day and not think about the future," Teresa Godinho recommends. Then the next step will come naturally.

Read the interview with Teresa Godinho

Elizabeth Corley is CEO of Allianz Global Investors. What she likes most about her job is people, whether clients, employees or other industry contacts. But she also enjoys the challenge and the thrill of success. "It is great when you win", she says. Her advice to women aiming to become top managers is to have real confidence in themselves. They should be sure of what they can do and be certain that they will make a difference, she explains.

Read the interview with Elizabeth Corley

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Flavia Genillard
Allianz SE
Tel.: +49.89.3800-3142
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Petra Krüll
Allianz SE
Phone +49.89.3800-2628
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Allianz is committed to diversity and career development for women. The company has set itself the target to increase the percentage of women in its global talent pools for top management positions to 30 percent until year-end 2015. In the following interviews female top managers of Allianz Group share their personal insights.

E-bikes are often too heavy for normal bike racks. This means that they can turn into dangerous missiles in the event of an accident, as shown by a recent crash test from the Allianz Center for Technology.

Total revenues of 37.8 billion euros / Operating profit of 2.86 billion euros / Net income attributable to shareholders of 1.82 billion euros / Allianz confirms operating profit outlook for 2015 of 10.4 billion euros, plus/minus 400 million euros