Alumna Jennifer Nason never predicted she'd end up working as a global leader in investment banking, but that's where life lead her.
When Jennifer Nason (BCom (Hons) 1983, BA 1980) first graduated from the University of Melbourne majoring in economics, she was firmly committed to pursuing a career in the Australian public sector.
More than 30 years later, she is now Global Chairman of Investment Banking at J.P. Morgan and based in New York City.
A dual-citizen and Chairman of the American Australian Association, Nason reflects on how a dedication to constant learning and risk taking has led her half way across the world.
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How do you balance the various aspects of your life?
Being a working mother of four children, people have often asked me, "How do you manage all of that?"
And I say, "I think having my four children has made me the most efficient operator on the planet."
Decision-making and triaging are absolutely critical skills in business. You’ve got to assess information, read the situation, and make a call so people can move forward. I think mothers are really good at doing that.
I don't waste any time. I make informed decisions and good judgements. I've had to build those skills of quickly making decisions because I didn't want to spend 24 hours a day, seven days a week grinding away on a financial model – I wanted to be there for my children and to have a full life.
I feel like that working mother label has given me an advantage career-wise, not the other way around.