Taking time for children a career high for Principal executive
Working mothers are increasingly being accommodated in the finance sector in Asia, with Principal’s Andrea Muller leading by example
While many women choose to stop working when their children are young, investment professional Andrea Muller felt her two children needed to see more of her in their teenage years.
Muller, now Asia chief executive of US investment firm Principal Global Investors, took a break from the corporate world in mid-2008 – before the onset of the global financial crisis – to establish stronger bonds with her high school age daughter and son and help guide them through an important period.
When the elder of the two, daughter Natalie, gained acceptance into Georgetown University in Washington, Muller decided to return to work. In 2010 the American took up the top Asia post at Principal.
Companies with good diversity policies reflect good corporate governance practices
Muller, 54, says she has no regrets about the decision to take time out for her children and is a keen advocate of workplace policies to support working mothers.
While Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said he encourages more women to return to the workforce after childbirth, not all Hong Kong companies have supportive policies.
Muller says Principal’s progressive policies for mothers were an important factor for her in deciding to take the control of its Asia operation in Singapore.
She says the company also has a strong diversity policy that helps minorities.