We had the privilege of talking to Stella Machel, a young Mozambican woman on the rise in the financial sector. Her story, marked by more than 14 years of experience, is an inspiring tale of determination, innovation and extraordinary vision.
Stella shared with us the factors that attracted her to the financial sector, highlighting the influence of her Mozambican roots that led her to the offices of Amazon Web Services.
Join us for this inspiring interview, where we explore the journey of a dynamic leader on the global stage.
What attracted you to a career in finance and how did your Mozambican roots shape your choice?
I was born in Maputo, near the Machava stadium. I lived there until I was five and then moved to Bairro do Jardim. My mother was my biggest influence, being an example of resilience, inspiration and determination, but I was also influenced by a friend who was exposed to a university environment, and that friendship opened up possibilities for me and got me thinking about choosing my course. So I decided to study Economics and Management at the Catholic University in Beira, where I fell in love with the subjects related to the financial sector, which was decisive in my career choice. After finishing my studies in Beira, I had a clear idea of what I wanted and one of my goals was to improve my skills through an international career. I did my MBA at the MIT Sloan School of Management, which was a key point in my professional rise.
What were your first steps in the financial sector?
My early career was undoubtedly challenging and somewhat difficult. In the second year of college, I faced a critical moment when my mother could no longer afford to pay for my studies, at which point I decided to send letters to banks and organizations so that they would finance my studies and after finishing the course I could work there. My determination opened doors at Banco ABC, marking the beginning of my professional journey.
After completing my studies, I had the opportunity to do an internship at ABC Bank, where I got involved in a small project that surprisingly grew into something bigger. When the project ended, the bank decided to hire me permanently. There I immersed myself in practically every department of the bank, experiencing a bit of everything. This experience proved fundamental to my professional growth and gave me a comprehensive understanding of the financial landscape. I then joined Standard Bank, which contributed significantly to the business banking area and expanded my skills. At Standard Bank, I worked in the business management area, where I was involved in designing efficient decision-making strategies.
In 2019, you moved to the USA. What motivated this move and what impact did it have on your career?
I had a dream: I wanted to be an inspiration and experience working abroad.
This was the aspiration that drove my decision to pursue a global education through the Fulbright-Humphrey Fellowship in the United States, which gave me international visibility and the opportunity to be called by Amazon. The experience at Amazon Web Services represents a significant chapter in my professional journey, aligning perfectly with my quest for growth and global impact. Amazon has diverse sectors, from communications to finance, and I have my heart set on acquiring more knowledge and achieving my goal of being a globally influential financial leader.
What advice do you have for other young Mozambicans looking for an international career?
It’s all about daring and a willingness to learn. I often feel that I can’t keep a good balance between my professional and personal life. The search for balance is constant, even if it’s not perfect, I’m always trying to improve this harmony between the personal and the professional.
First educate yourself, seek knowledge, and don’t underestimate the power of education to open doors to a bright future. Finally, dream. I was born in a small house, and today I get to be in the same room as the CEO of the second largest company in the world. I would never have imagined that this would be possible, so be wild dreamers, be honest with your dreams and with yourself.
Follow Stella Machel’s career through the social network below….
LinkedIn: Stella Machel
