Almudena Cansado Parrondo: Journey into Fund Selection

An interview with Almudena Cansado Parrondo Fund Selector at Santander Private Banking

In the dynamic world of finance, women are making significant strides, reshaping the landscape of investment industries traditionally dominated by men. Almudena, a fund selector at the global team of Santander Private Banking based in Madrid, shares her inspiring journey into fund selection and the investment industry.

A Passion for Finance

"Literally, the world of investments knocked on my door when I was finishing high school, and finances quickly attracted my interest," says Almudena. Her journey began at Banco Popular (Allianz Popular), where she spent a decade honing her skills in business development before transitioning to the investment team, where she was in charge of the selection and management of funds of funds.

Evolving Roles and Achievements

"Since April 2021, I've been responsible for equity fund selection in Santander Private Banking's Global Fund Selection Team," Almudena shares. She takes pride in her ability to adapt and innovate, expanding her focus to include sustainability aspects in the global product offering. "I've been able to reinvent myself and change my role as a fund manager for Spanish retail clients to offer a competitive product offering for private banking clients, covering the different needs of each country where we have a presence."

Breaking Barriers

Despite the male-dominated nature of the field, Almudena hasn't faced gender-related challenges. "Today, finance is not just a man's business," she asserts. "I have been part of women-led teams where diversity thrives."

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

Almudena emphasizes the importance of diverse and inclusive teams for industry success. "As a reflection of the society in which we live, we should encourage the formation of diverse and inclusive teams," she states. "In this respect, Santander has a Strategic Plan for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, from which various programs are derived that seek to promote work-life balance, hiring, professional development, equal pay, and raise awareness among professionals." Almudena highlights the benefits of diverse teams, stating, "Far from being the result of political correctness, diverse teams have advantages such as improved performance, greater flexibility and efficiency, participatory decision making, or greater job stability."

Advice for Aspiring Women

To aspiring fund selectors, Almudena offers valuable advice. "Training is essential," she stresses, highlighting the need for technical knowledge and continuous learning. She encourages aspiring professionals to cultivate qualities like constancy, temperance, and flexibility, urging them to set goals and persevere. "But good initial training is not enough," she adds. "This is a job that requires constant training to be well informed and have a global vision. Therefore, I would recommend them to read as much as possible."