MY CAREER IN SIX SPOTLIGHT
LIBA SAIOVICI
Head of Global Payments Solutions for Global Commercial Bank LATAM
Bank of America
Sharing her career journey by answering the six questions below.
Who or what has been your biggest source of inspiration throughout your career?
My family has been the biggest source of inspiration for me. My parents instilled in me the importance of having a college degree and of making decisions from a point of view of knowledge and not ignorance. My career path was also shaped by my family’s adversities due to the holocaust and communism in Cuba and my emigration from my country of origin, Venezuela, where there weren’t a lot of opportunities for young women and where insecurity was very high. This prompted my move to the U.S. to study an MBA and join banking as a career, which became a platform for me to develop and grow professionally and personally.
Would you say your success is primarily due to luck or hard work?
I would say my success is primarily due to hard work. Luck may have played a small role, but the foundation has been consistent effort, dedication, and perseverance—as well as a commitment to continually develop my skills and network.
What is the driving force behind your career aspirations?
There are a few driving forces for me. Personal growth and learning make me not only a better professional but a better person. Being a role model for my daughters and providing for my family is a big motivator. Lastly, creating an impact in society inspires me.
If given the chance to do one thing differently in your career, what would it be and why?
If I could do one thing differently, I would have taken more risks earlier in my career. Sometimes playing it safe limited my opportunities for growth, and I now realize that when you’re young and starting out, it’s the best time to embrace challenges and take advantage of the flexibility you have.
What was your most favourite job/role and why?
I recently transitioned to a Sales Exec role managing a very talented group of individuals, and I’m enjoying it very much. Over the years, my career at Bank of America has evolved across FI Sales, Product Management, Strategy, and now most recently, GCB Sales — each step building upon the last in a deliberate and growth-oriented trajectory. My current role allows me to bring together the insights and experience I’ve gained from my previous roles, as I’m able to apply both the strategic mindset and the deep product knowledge to advise clients, build trusted relationships, and drive commercial results. I believe that each phase of my journey has equipped me with a more comprehensive perspective of the business. I’ve learned to connect the dots across functions, adapt to changing priorities, and lead with both empathy and impact, skills that continue to shape my approach to client engagement and business growth.
Do you have a favourite motto or quote that guides your professional life?
“Be brave not perfect”. This is the title of a book by Reshma Saujani that I read and inspires me every single day. As women, we tend to always try to be perfect, meet 100% of requirements and feel very anxious about taking risks. This book taught me to trust myself, start before I’m ready, and accept failure as an opportunity to learn and be wiser.