International Women’s Day role models: Access to opportunities for women
Chrisanthi Michaelides, Access Bank SA’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), is tasked with overseeing all financial and tax matters, while monitoring and and mitigating financial, liquidity and capital risk.
Having been with Access Bank for a decade, Chrisanthi has always held positions that demand rigorous focus and attention to detail. She is passionate about the opportunities the bank offers women, noting “It’s not about women being equal to their male colleagues,” Chrisanthi says. “It’s about us being equal to the task with our organisation.
“Importantly, Access Bank sees women as important to the family and the broader community and provides opportunities to women who want to start or grow their businesses by backing them with financial and educational support.”
Young women in finance
Promoting this support, she notes, is the true message of International Women’s Day. So, what advice would she give young women wanting to go into banking or financial services?
“Be open to new challenges and learn from all experiences. No experience is a waste of time. Work hard and be mindful of what you want to achieve and not what others think you can achieve.” No surprise, then, that Chrisanthi’s personal and business motto is, “Be true to yourself. Life is short and life is what you make of it.”
As businesses around the globe recognise the importance of International Women’s Day, Chrisanthi has a final reminder: “Women have much to offer. We are all different and unique and must embrace every opportunity and challenge – because each of us is so much more than what others perceive us to be.”
