Hayley Rosenlund’s career is a masterclass in navigating the high-pressure world of Capital Markets while maintaining personal integrity. From her early days at the LSE to leading sales teams in London and Paris, and eventually transitioning to executive coaching, her journey offers profound lessons on resilience, the "producer" mindset, and the evolving landscape of global finance.

In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we explore the grit required to move from a support role to a top producer, the financial reality of the gender pay gap, and how to redefine success when your values shift.

Navigating the Capital Markets Career Path

Hayley spent over a decade at RBC Capital Markets, specializing in fixed income sales. Her progression highlights the mental toughness required to thrive on a trading floor.

• The Shift to "Producer": Moving from a graduate role to a producer is one of the most significant hurdles in finance. Hayley explains that success in sales isn't just about "pitching hard," it relies on active listening and authenticity. Understanding a client's balance sheet and liquidity needs requires letting them speak first.
• The Impact of Automation & AI: Hayley witnessed the transition from voice-negotiated trades to Electronic and Portfolio Trading. With banks now executing massive blocks of risk (sometimes over €1 billion in a single trade), the role of the salesperson has moved from pure relationship management to complex execution expertise.

The Financial Reality of Gender Parity

As a vocal advocate for gender equality in finance, Hayley provides a candid look at why women often drop out before reaching senior leadership, despite equal hiring at the entry level.

• Structural Changes Needed: To narrow the gender pay gap, Hayley argues for a shift toward Parental Leave (rather than just maternity leave) to level the playing field for hiring managers. She also highlights the need for dedicated mentorship to help women navigate mid-career inflections.

Success Redefined: The "90-Year-Old" Framework

The transition from a high-earning banking role to executive coaching was driven by a realignment of core values. Hayley shares a powerful construct for anyone considering a career pivot: The 90-Year-Old Question. Imagine yourself at 90 looking back at your life. What would make you feel proud? What contribution did you make? This focus on purpose over "self-image" is what allowed her to step away from the corporate ladder to focus on human-centric leadership and narrowing the gender gap.