Fortune News | Feb 18,2026
Fortune: The financial sector remains a male-dominated space. How does it feel to be among those recalibrating that balance as you climb?
Lealem Getachew: I see it as both a responsibility and an opportunity. There have been moments of doubt along the way, times when the path felt steeper, but those difficult periods helped build the resilience I needed to keep moving forward.
Q: Beyond the statistics, why do you think this industry has remained so stubbornly monochromatic for so long?
Legacy systems, male dominance and long-standing networks have all played a role. Change has been slow and, at times, discouraging, especially because networking has not traditionally been something many women were encouraged to pursue. Now, that is beginning to change.
Q: What are the unwritten constraints you have had to overcome as a woman to secure your seat at the executive table?
My path has not been easy. There were moments when I had to work harder to be heard or recognised, but that strengthened my confidence and reinforced the importance of consistency and self-belief.
Q: Was there a sliding-doors moment, a specific turning point, that steered you towards the C-suite?
Yes, taking on a role that pushed me beyond my comfort zone. It came at a time when things were uncertain and even a little overwhelming, but it became a turning point that shaped my leadership journey.
Q: There is a persistent myth that a career in finance requires exceptional mathematical skill. How much of that is reality, and how much is just branding?
Numbers and financial knowledge are important, but so are judgment and strategy. During challenging periods, it is not technical skills alone but decision-making under pressure that truly defines success.
Q: If you could sit down with your 20-year-old self, what is the one piece of non-career advice you would give her to make the journey easier?
Life is full of challenges; do not fear difficult moments. Expect them, because they will come, but they also shape you. The journey may be tougher or slower than you hoped, but that, too, is part of life.
Q: Whom do you credit most for the architecture of your success?
Mentors, teams and family.
Q: When was the last time you saw another woman in action and thought, "I want to be like her?" Who was this person?
Not only recently. I have always been inspired by my mother.
Q: Did you ever truly visualise yourself in this position, or was it a destination you discovered along the way?
Not exactly. There were times when I questioned the path, especially during setbacks.
Q: Beyond your balance sheets and professional accolades, what would you secretly love to be famous for?
I do not want to be famous. I prefer to remain low-profile.
Q: How do you unplug and find your centre after a very busy day at the office?
I take a break and go swimming.
Q: Which fashion trend from your youth do you look back on with the most regret? Would you let your children revive it?
I was very fashionable in my twenties and dared to wear clothes I would not wear now. When I see young girls today, they remind me of my younger self, and I smile.
Q: If you could host a dinner party for any one person, past or present, who would you want sitting across from you?
Someone who has faced adversity and still succeeded. I would value learning how they navigated their most difficult moments.
Q: What is your signature dish, the one you are genuinely known for in the kitchen?
I prefer simple dishes.
Q: Is there a traditional holiday food you secretly dislike but still eat?
There are always traditions we keep, even if they are not our favourite. I believe that to be part of a team or a family, one should value the connection over personal preference.
Q: What is your armour, the one thing that makes you feel invincible in a boardroom?
I try to prepare myself and remain resilient.
Q: What holiday tradition have you kept since childhood that might surprise your colleagues?
Gathering with family, sitting together, talking and enjoying familiar food.
Q: Which book or film has most accurately captured the reality of your world?
I tend to choose suspense films that show both success and struggle.
PUBLISHED ON
Apr 10,2026 [ VOL
27 , NO
1354]
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