Name: Signe Marie Degn
Title: Head of Risk Management
Company: Danmarks Nationalbank
Please introduce yourself
My name is Signe Marie Degn, and I am 31 years old. I hold a master’s degree in economics from the University of Copenhagen.
A fun fact about me is that I danced hip-hop and disco dance for nearly 20 years and won the Danish championship with my team.
How did you imagine your career when you were around 20 years old?
I have never worked with career planning. After completing high school, I wanted to pursue my interest in mathematics and economics, so I continued to study economics at university. During my studies, I found an interest in macroeconomics and econometrics. However, after this, I was ready to try something else. I decided to apply for a job that involved macroeconomics but in a different capacity – specifically, an IT-project role in the central bank. This led to a job in risk management and since then, one opportunity has led to another.
What does a day in your life look like in your current role?
I prefer to arrive at work early while my partner takes our children to kindergarten. Being a morning person, I am productive in the early hours when I can complete different tasks before the office day really begins. Some days, I work through the afternoon, while on others, I leave early to pick up my children – and at home, a whole different kind of work awaits me.
I work in risk management and support various departments of the central bank in managing several types of risk – from cyber- and IT-related risks to ensuring data protection. My role involves engaging with the entire organisation on a wide range of topics and tasks. My role requires that I am available to exchange ideas and provide support to my team along with setting the direction for the team and the services that we deliver.
What motivates and excites you the most about your career path and the leadership position you hold?
I am motivated by making a positive impact. Whether it is solving complex risk issues or optimizing risk reporting processes, it is rewarding to contribute and change something for the better. I also find it motivating to witness how a collective effort leads to significant outcomes.
Share with us the biggest lessons you learned on your journey to where you are today.
Just after I started in my first job in the central bank, I had to do a presentation on a complex topic in front of a lot of people. I was nervous before and especially during the presentation. It went well, and I was proud of myself. Since then, every time I am facing a difficult task at work, I look back at that presentation and remind myself: “I’m learning from this, and it will be okay”.
Tell us about a role model who inspired you to become the leader you are today.
I am always looking for role models in women who balance having a career and children. It is inspiring to hear other women’s experiences on balancing both – it encourages me to believe that I can also do both. On the personal side, I found that having a partner who is willing to take on chores at home is key. Balancing our personal and professional lives requires cooperation. Some days, I will stay at work and some days, I am home early. But it is still new to me, and I am still learning to be okay with not being able to do both at 100 percent all the time.
I also have a specific role model in mind: a good friend from university. She is ambitious, passionate, and confident. She is always my biggest cheerleader and believes more in me than I sometimes do in myself. Her encouragement is much needed in times there my own self-belief is lacking.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, or to students today, what would it be?
Do not be overly concerned with what other people think. It is beyond your control anyway. Your opinion is valuable so do not be afraid to speak up. I also found that having mentors who can provide guidance and encouragement is crucial.
How do you see STEM education shaping the future?
STEM education plays a significant role in shaping the future. We are looking into a future of AI, cyber threats, climate change, changing political dynamics, and so on. This requires new skills. STEM educations foster innovative thinking and problem-solving skills and are crucial in a changing world.
Why is it important for you to promote diversity and inclusion within STEM?
I believe that bringing together people from various backgrounds leads to a wider range of perspectives and ideas. A more inclusive workforce leads to greater innovation. This is also the case within STEM.