Name: Anne Dyrberg Rommer
Title: Head of Macroeconomic Analysis
Company: Danmarks Nationalbank
Please introduce yourself
My name is Anne Dyrberg Rommer, I am 48 years old and I have a PhD in Economics from the University of Copenhagen and a MSc in Economics from London School of Economics. A fun fact about me is that I started winter bathing in January 2021. I committed myself to it on New Years Eve – and then the first Sunday in January I was in the water… Normally you would not start at the coldest point in time, I would guess.
How did you imagine your career when you were around 20 years old?
I was very interested in Social Sciences and Maths when I went to High School, and I imagined a role where I could impact society. In the “3.G. yearbook” my classmates wrote that I would be working in an interesting position in the EU. I have been drawn to international roles, but have never worked for the EU, i.e. the Commission. However, I have taken up positions at the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, the World Bank in Washington DC, Novo Nordisk in the US, and I have worked at the Danish Embassy in Washington DC.
What does a day in your life look like in your current role and what motivates and excites you the most?
No day is the same. Leading and coordinating takes up a lot of my time. I truly enjoy the interactions with colleagues in my own section, across the department that I am part of and with the rest of the Bank.
Keeping abreast of the developments in the Danish economy from both a cyclical as well as a structural point of view is fascinating. We have various outlets for our analyses – reports, speeches, memos etc. The highlight is our semi-annual report with our latest forecast, which is presented by our Governor at a press briefing. These days are always special. They are full of excitement, as his speech concludes a long process making our forecast.
I feel so lucky that I – through my role – get to network with a wide range of interesting people in Denmark, i.e. with colleagues working in the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Statistics Denmark and the Danish Economic Council. So, there is a national dimension to my job, that I truly enjoy.
There is also an international dimension to it, as we discuss the state of the Danish economy with international organizations such as the OECD and the IMF. Going abroad or getting visitors from the outside is always very inspiring.
As I said – no day is the same. Most of all I like all the interactions, be it in the Bank, at the domestic level or the international level. I also like the depth and breadth of the content that we work on. And the fact that I am learning all the time.
Share with us the biggest lessons you learned on your journey to where you are today.
Authenticity is key. It is important to stick to who you are and be true to that.
Tell us about a role model who inspired you to become the leader you are today.
It is difficult to point out one single role model.
I am inspired by people who are passionate about what they do, obtain strong results and at the same time are empathetic and authentic.
If I am to name one it would be Madeleine Albright, former US Secretary of State – and the first female US Secretary of State.
Madeleine was a notable and influential figure in American politics. Her autobiography describes how she made a significant difference to the world. She had a strong educational background and was full of determination and commitment to be successful in her role. In addition to being a very skilled diplomat, she was a family person. She describes in her autobiography how her experiences as a wife and mother gave her a deeper understanding of people and empathy, which she could draw on in her professional life.
Madeleine Albright is well-known for various quotes. One famous quote is related to how women treat women: “There is a special place in hell for women who do not help other women”. Another is about her personal development: “It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent”
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, or students today, what would it be?
You must enjoy the process (life as it is!), no matter what you are striving for. You might try things and hope for a certain path in life, but if it does not materialize, because another path does, you should look back at your life and think – wow I had fun and I was lucky to try and do all of this.
And patience. Some things take time.
How do you see STEM education shaping the future?
Education in STEM is very important as education in these areas enables future scientists and engineers to find innovation solutions to many of the world’s biggest challenges, in areas such as climate change, energy supply, and healthcare.
Why is it important for you to promote diversity and inclusion within STEM?
It is important as diverse teams brings a variety of perspectives, experiences, and problem-solving approaches. I believe that diversity and inclusion within STEM can lead to more innovative and creative solutions to complex problems.