Beyond the Glass Ceiling

In this issue, we feature Zuleika Lasten, the first woman appointed as partner at PwC Dutch Caribbean. She was also just recently appointed as the PwC Diversity and Inclusion Leader. She is a woman of vision and conviction, and “her passion, commitment to excellence and ability to empathize in the position of others” are the qualities that inspired PwC to promote her to this high-level position. Ms. Lasten took time from her busy schedule to talk to Curaçao Business magazine about how she achieved her success.

Text Heather De Paulo     

I think sometimes it’s more difficult when a woman reaches the top because you are a mom as well — you have your family so you have to juggle everything.

Curaçao Business Magazine (CBM): What drove you to study tax law?
Zuleika Lasten (ZL): At 17 years old, I wanted to study something from which I can make a good living. I thought that the way our communities are organized, we will always have to deal with taxes, so I figured I would definitely have a future in that area of expertise. Having made my decision, I went to Holland to study fiscal law and I have never regretted my choice. I have always had an affinity for studying tax law, not only while studying, but while working as well. It’s so dynamic — each client, individual and multi-national has different tax needs, so you can never get bored. I’m very passionate about it and I love to find creative solutions within the fiscal framework to provide for and add value to my clients.

CBM: Discuss your road to making partner in PWC — the idea of starting from the ground floor and working your way up.
ZL: My first and only employer has been PwC. After I finished studying fiscal law, I started my career at PwC in the Netherlands in the year 2000. Even when I first started working as a tax assistant, the ultimate goal of becoming tax partner was always at the back of my mind. It starts with being committed, dedicated and passionate about the work, continuously delivering good quality and learning – investing in learning. In 2003, I moved back to Curaçao and continued working with PwC. In total, I’ve been with PwC for over 13 years. I always knew that in order to move ahead, I had to deliver and invest more than what was expected and that I would have to make some sacrifices. I also knew that I had to take personal responsibility and action for implementing envisioned changes and ideas. I gave everything in my power to ensure a valuable contribution to the team, PwC and our clients.

CBM: How do you balance your personal and professional life?
ZL: I think it all boils down to good planning, as well as mutual understanding, love and support from family members. You have to plan everything efficiently and have good communication. That’s the key.

CBM: Did you have a mentor?
ZL: My mother and my family are very strong driving forces to whom I’m grateful for all my achievements. I’m totally drilled by my mother. She’s my inspiration to be very disciplined and ambitious, to try to excel and not settle for less; those are the core principles on which I was raised. When you try to excel, your clients will be loyal to you because they see you will go the extra mile for them.

CBM: What is your perspective on a woman working her way up in a ‘man’s world?’
ZL: I think sometimes it’s more difficult when a woman reaches the top because you are a mom as well — you have your family so you have to juggle everything. Especially with someone like me who strives for excellence, sometimes you have to make sacrifices; however, I think it’s quite an achievement when you can reach the top. I believe for every woman there is equal opportunity. It depends on the priorities that each woman would like to set. I’m a mother, a wife, a career woman, a professional and a tax partner, and until now, I am able to combine everything perfectly. I think that if you want to achieve something, the possibility is there. It’s a matter of setting your priorities and goals and working hard to achieve them.

I always knew that in order to move ahead, I had to deliver and invest more than what was expected and that I would have to make some sacrifices.

CBM: Sheryl Sandberg, CEO of Facebook, is quoted from her book as saying that feminine characteristics are not rewarded or valued at work, however, women exhibiting traits that are supposedly masculine are scorned. What do you think about this and how you do you think you have overcome this paradigm?
ZL: It’s a difficult question, but I think from the very beginning I didn’t want to be labeled as a woman who had to prove herself, so at work, I never wanted to behave like a feminist. I think every individual has his or her strengths; you have to have a vision about what you think is important and you have to take steps and work hard to achieve those visions. You have to have confidence and conviction and be focused on what you want to achieve — be result-oriented. I think when you achieve the goals you set, others around you start believing in you; this makes you a leader. Others start following you because they realize that she doesn’t just say something – it happens. I think in every aspect of your life, private or business, your focus becomes your reality. A good example is the great inventors of the world. People initially thought their ideas were crazy or impossible, but it has been proven time and again that even what seems impossible is possible.

CBM: If a young girl walked up to asking for your advice, what would it be?
ZL: Set your goals, believe in yourself and work hard to achieve those goals. Be creative, do not think in problems — think in opportunities. Always look for the solution.

CBM: What is your next goal?
ZL: For PwC Dutch Caribbean to grow further, to increase the number of talented people already working for us and to increase our presence, not only in the local markets we are already servicing: Aruba, Bonaire, St. Maarten, and Curaçao, but also in the Latin American market. I want PwC Dutch Caribbean to be recognized for its talents and the added value we can bring to our clients.

CBM: Have you ever thought about going on your own?
ZL: Along the way those opportunities have presented themselves. Sometimes you think about it, but I’m a very social person and I think it’s more fun to create something together with people than to create it by myself. I love to motivate people, invest in their knowledge and watch them grow. The good part is that in the end, you can celebrate the achievements, not by yourself, but together with others. To me, that has much greater value than being on my own.

CBM: Do you have anything else to add?
ZL: As we all strive to accomplish our dreams, it is important to keep an attitude of gratitude for the people in our lives and to appreciate even the smallest things.