Evelyne Gomez-Liechti

Tell us a little bit about your career journey to date?

After studying economics in university in Madrid, I pursued a path to become a state economist in Spain. This led to an intensive process of studying and taking exams, which gave me a solid foundation in economic theory and analytical thinking.

However, I realised that my interest lied in more dynamic opportunities and that led me to financial markets. I first did a short apprenticeship in an FX trading firm, focusing on strategy and analysis, and moved on to join the graduate programme at Mizuho in 2020.

I’ve always been drawn to numbers and analysis, but I also had a deep interest in how people and societies interact. The strategist role I am in at Mizuho is the perfect fit for me.

What does a typical day in your role look like?

My day starts early with a daily market note followed by a morning call with the sales and trading teams to align on key developments. If there’s important data or client meetings scheduled, I focus on preparing insights and commentary, like interpreting inflation surprises and assessing how markets might react.

On quieter days, I shift to longer-term projects or tool-building to improve efficiency. It’s a mix of researching, writing, coding and data analysis, all aimed at delivering clear, actionable insights for our clients.

How do you find the culture at Mizuho?

One of the things that stood out to me from day one at Mizuho is the incredible diversity. The mix of backgrounds and perspectives really enhances the quality of our thinking. It’s refreshing to walk into the office and hear a range of different languages. Having been brought up in a multi-culture family, it genuinely makes me feel at home.

Another aspect I really value is how approachable senior leaders are, whether it’s to discuss career paths or help you understand something technical. That openness and willingness to support junior colleagues is a big positive.

What advice do you have for someone starting in finance?

Starting out in financial services can be intense, so my first piece of advice is simple: breathe. The learning curve is steep, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why it’s so important to build good habits early - take care of your health and make time for yourself. Balance is key to performing well at work.

When I joined Mizuho through the graduate programme, I found it to be a great place to grow. I had access to senior leaders from the beginning, and I made the most of it by asking questions and staying humble. That exposure, combined with changes in my team, pushed me to step up and take initiative. It was the perfect environment to learn and take risks.

Tell us something we don’t know about you

I used to be an international ballroom dance athlete and competed in both ballroom and Latin styles, including waltz, tango, quickstep, samba, cha-cha and rumba. I represented both Spain and Switzerland during my competitive career, and it’s an experience I remember fondly. It taught me a lot about resilience, discipline, confidence and standing up for myself.

Read the full interview with Evelyne here.