Alina vom Bruck will join the Management Board of Gothaer Asset Management (GoAM) on July 1, 2022, where she will take charge of the Middle and Back Offices. At just 35 years of age, she will thus become one of the youngest board members in the asset management industry. Alina vom Bruck succeeds Dr. Paul Verhoeven (64), who will retire on June 30. Vom Bruck is currently Head of Life Innovation at Gothaer Lebensversicherung AG.

She will be missed there: "I thank Alina for four and a half successful years at Gothaer Leben," says Michael Kurtenbach, CEO of Gothaer Leben. "During this time, she helped shape the development of Gothaer Leben both in mathematical product development and subsequently as Head of Life Innovation and provided many important impulses."

Alina vom Bruck began her career at Gothaer in 2009, parallel to her studies, with positions in Group reinsurance and the actuarial department of Gothaer Leben. From 2010 to 2015, she worked in risk management and supported the introduction of Solvency II. After an initial management role at DEVK, she returned to Gothaer Leben in 2017 to take over as Head of Mathematical Product Development. Since 2020, she has been Head of Life Innovation.

Fondsfrau Anke Dembowski talks to Alina vom Bruck about careers and which corporate values are important to her.

Ms. vom Bruck, what does it mean for you as a relatively young woman to be appointed to the Management Board of a very tradition-conscious company like Gothaer Asset Management (GoAM)?
Alina vom Bruck: For me, the appointment is a sign of appreciation and trust. The GoAM may be steeped in tradition, but the values and culture are very modern. And that's what I'm looking forward to. One of these values, which is very important not only for GoAM but for Gothaer as a whole, is community. And I would like to combine this value with a modern management image. For me, this includes open communication, trust in every individual, and a working atmosphere in which everyone can contribute their ideas and drive them forward.

What will you do differently than your predecessor?
Whether I will do anything differently, I can't say yet. I'll have a better view of that by July 1. It is very important to me to strengthen the links with the individual risk carriers - especially, but not only, Gothaer Leben. Since I come from Gothaer Leben, I bring a different view of the tasks and challenges. This dovetailing will become more important in the future, as many topics in the insurance industry also play out in investment. The issue of sustainability, in particular, is currently playing a major role. A sustainable orientation of Gothaer in all dimensions is very important to me and us, and we have a pioneering role that I would like to develop further.

Previously, you were Head of Life Innovation at Gothaer Lebensversicherung AG. That sounds innovative! What innovations will you be introducing at GoAM?
Yes, this is an exciting topic. We are in a state of flux and the speed of change is increasing all the time. This presents us with ever new challenges and questions. Two topics in particular, with which I am currently very much involved, will also accompany me in the future. The first is the topic of data and digitization. Complex issues are increasing and need appropriate support from digital processes.

Beyond that, it will be exciting to see how collaboration evolves after Corona. We will continue to work together in a hybrid fashion and must shape the framework for this together.

It is often said that women follow more women. Will you work to ensure that even more women reach management levels at GoAM in the future?
At GoAM, the proportion of women in management is already very high. A lot has happened here in the past as well. I believe that different views enrich us. But that doesn't just refer to gender, but also to different backgrounds such as origin, education, culture, and other factors. I am happy to support anyone and everyone interested in leadership. It is important to me to take other opinions seriously and to seek discussion and not just confirmation.

You've had a very fast, steep career. What advice do you have for women who want to make a career in the financial sector?
Thank you! I would advise everyone - men and women - to be brave and not give up too quickly when something doesn't go the way you thought it would. It's not easy to take a step out of your comfort zone. But if you don't dare, you can't develop further. For me, every job change has been exciting and thrilling and, of course, also associated with uncertainty about what to expect and whether I will do my job well. Then I try to do my job a little better every day and to learn from mistakes that happen naturally.

In addition, I can advise everyone to get feedback, also and especially from the people from whom you expect criticism. Of course, this is not always pleasant, but it is helpful. I encourage everyone to give me negative feedback as well. Because if I don't know the points of criticism, I can't improve on them.

Thank you for the good inspirations, and good luck in your future work on the board!

Profilbild von Anke Dembowski

Anke Dembowski

Anke Dembowski is a financial journalist and author of various investment fund-related and other financial books. She is also a co-founder of the "Fondsfrauen" network.

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