The fight for gender equality is not just a women's issue but also an important business issue that requires much effort to pursue, according to Angela Mentis, Chief Digital, Data & Analytics Officer at National Australia Bank (NAB).

Angela said it puzzles her that despite multiple studies showing repeatedly how businesses that foster gender equality perform better, a recent review by the NZX shows only five out of 135 companies are headed by women. 

“We’ve got a lot of work to do, but the rewards of more equal companies and a more equal world are worth it. Progress comes about when we all work together,” she said.

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Angela has been a consistent voice of women empowerment on digital platforms such as LinkedIn, regularly publishing interviews with other women who are leading in various industries in Australia and New Zealand. 

When Angela speaks about the need for gender equality in business, she speaks from experience as someone who had to assume different positions in different companies throughout her extensive 35-year career.

While working hard to pave the way for gender equality in the business world, Mentis has also been making huge leaps in her career. With extensive experience in retail, banking, and wealth management, she was appointed Chief Digital, Data & Analytics Officer of NAB in 2021.

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Prior to this, she wore different leadership hats within NAB, assuming roles such as General Manager for Specialised Investments, General Manager for NAB Private Wealth, Executive General Manager, Group Executive, and Chief Customer Officer for Business and Private Banking.

She was also once the Managing Director & CEO of the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ), Global Head of Structure Investments of Westpac Institutional Bank, Head of Premium Wealth Services, and even Vice President, Syndications, Agency and Capital Markets of Citibank Limited.