Rosa Villalobos, managing director and head of the Luxembourg office at Macquarie Asset Management. Library picture: Lala La Photo

Rosa Villalobos, managing director and head of the Luxembourg office at Macquarie Asset Management. Library picture: Lala La Photo

To mark International Women’s Day, Delano asked Luxembourg financial sector professionals about the women who have inspired them. Rosa Villalobos was inspired by Angela Merkel.

“Many women has inspired me, why many and not just a few? And what do they have in common?” , managing director and head of the Luxembourg office at Macquarie Asset Management, told Delano.

“I have always admired the leaders that have tried to be the best of what they do, to do what they love, or what they are passionate about. So what I have taken away with me after looking at all these role models, and what I believe that they all have in common: their persistent, their positive aptitude of you can always improve, self-driven motivation and purpose, continuous learners, their discipline no matter what barriers they found on their way,” she said. “These characteristics have inspired me,” because they have provided “guidance.”

“If I have to mention one person, I will say Angela Merkel,” the former German chancellor.

“Why her? I want to believe that she ‘walks the talk,’ and led by example,” Villalobos said. “I also want to believe that she loved what she did, or it was her purpose for many years and she was passionate about it. I think that she tried to be the best at it, with motivation, perseverance, and discipline.”