By: Amal Patir

Debora Martin, a Latina whose influential career has spanned over a decade in Global Capital Markets, epitomizes the blend of acumen and ambition that defines leading figures in finance. A graduate of the prestigious Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania MBA program with a major in quantitative finance, Martin’s deep expertise in fixed income, rates, foreign exchange (FX), and derivatives has propelled innovation and growth within her sector. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she navigates complex financial negotiations and strategic discussions with ease, leveraging her linguistic skills to foster broader connections and understanding.

Martin’s entry into the financial realm was serendipitous. An economics class in high school captivated her analytical mind, steering her away from engineering—a path influenced by her father’s career—toward the intricate world of economics. She pursued a dual degree in Economics and Finance at the Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas in Peru, drawn by its vibrant academic atmosphere and progressive curriculum.

Her career trajectory began with an internship at Banco de Crédito del Perú, the nation’s largest bank, where she gained exposure to treasury market risk. Her proximity to the capital markets team ignited her interest in trading and treasury operations. ” Watching the market dynamics and the immediacy of trading decisions influenced me profoundly. It was not just about numbers; it was about understanding and anticipating market behaviors,” Martin explains. 

By 2017, Martin was making her mark as a Fixed Income Trader at Scotiabank Peru, in the Global Capital Markets division. There, she managed the bank’s market making portfolio, consistently outperforming market benchmarks. “The first year was particularly challenging, yet we managed to achieve 70% of our annual budget within five months,” she recalls, a testament to our team’s adaptability and strategic prowess.

Her exceptional performance led to her appointment to launch and manage a new offshore portfolio, after successfully sorting out and streaming the processes behind an existing portfolio utilizing innovative risk management strategies. Recognized as a top-talent, Martin was selected for the iLead “Program for Emerging Leaders,” although she turned down the program and ultimately chose to attend Wharton, fulfilling a long-held aspiration.

Now at Scotia Capital in New York, as an Associate Director in Global Capital Markets for the Emerging Markets team, Martin has revolutionized institutional sales strategies for U.S. and Canadian accounts, mastering complex deals involving bonds, FX, and derivatives. Notably, she was the first to negotiate and execute an asset swap trade in Mexican rates, pioneering new deal opportunities.

Martin’s approach combines deep market knowledge with innovative trading strategies, which has led to a 100% increase in transaction activity with her assigned accounts in two years. “Our success is rooted in our ability to adapt and innovate continuously,” she adds. Each client interaction presents a learning opportunity, further refining our techniques.

Mentorship and Future Directions

Mentorship has been a cornerstone of Martin’s career. She cites Fernando Suito, head of GCM at Scotiabank Peru, as a major influence, teaching her to view portfolios comprehensively and support trade ideas with robust data. “Fernando taught me to view portfolios comprehensively and back our trade ideas with robust data. These principles have been invaluable, especially during my time at Wharton, where I deepened my focus on data-driven decision-making,” she reflects.

Looking forward, Martin is dedicated to advancing progress in global financial markets. Rehired by Scotiabank with a fast-track career path in sight, she is now focused on enhancing her managerial skills towards a promotion to Director. She co-chairs the Uplifted Development Program at Scotia Capital, a bank initiative aimed to empower female students to pursue careers in finance, and serves on the Career Development committee of Amig@s ERG, a Latin American affinity group at Scotia Capital with over 200 members

Debora Martin’s role as a Latina woman in the finance industry underscores her remarkable leadership and inspires diversity and inclusion in a field often dominated by a lack of both. She champions diversity and inclusivity within her sector, leading initiatives to enhance representation. “As a Latina in finance, I am deeply aware of the barriers we face, but I also see the tremendous potential we bring to the table,” Martin asserts. Her leadership, marked by empathy, inclusiveness, and determination, not only contributes to her personal success but also fosters a more diverse and dynamic professional environment, challenging the status quo and driving meaningful change.

Published by: Martin De Juan