MY CAREER IN SIX SPOTLIGHT

Teresita Meza Quintanilla

Regional Head of Client Service in Global Payment Solutions

HSBC

Sharing her career journey by answering the six questions below.

Who or what has been your biggest source of inspiration throughout your career?

My greatest source of inspiration throughout my career has been the people we serve our clients and the teams I’ve had the privilege to work with. I’m inspired by seeing how, through payments and liquidity management solutions, as well as process improvement and re-engineering, we can deliver real, tangible impact on businesses and on the everyday lives of those who depend on them.

I’m also deeply passionate about everything I do that commitment to pursuing my work with excellence and purpose has been a constant driver throughout my journey. On a personal level, my 13-year-old son is an important part of my inspiration—he motivates me to give my best, keep learning, and set an example of discipline, integrity, and commitment.

Would you say your success is primarily due to luck or hard work?

My success has been driven primarily by hard work. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with focus and determination, but above all with heart always thinking about our clients and what they need from us. I believe meaningful results come from consistency, resilience, and taking responsibility for the outcomes we deliver. Of course, opportunities do arise, but turning them into impact takes preparation and sustained effort. For me, it has been strong work far more than luck.

What is the driving force behind your career aspirations?

The driving force behind my career aspirations is the desire to transcend and leave a meaningful mark—contributing to a better world through the work I do and the way I lead.

With 29 years in the financial sector and a career built around product development, process re-engineering, and client management in Global Payments Solutions, what motivates me most is creating solutions that genuinely improve how our customers operate and grow. At the same time, I see my career as a continuous journey to become a better person—learning, serving with heart, and building teams that deliver with purpose and integrity.

If given the chance to do one thing differently in your career, what would it be and why?

I would have explored becoming a preschool teacher. I’ve always loved working with children. I learn a great deal from their energy and enthusiasm, and above all from the wonderful way they see life with curiosity, openness, and optimism. That said, this perspective has also influenced how I work today: it reminds me to keep learning, stay human in the way I lead, and bring patience and creativity to solving problems for our customers and teams.

What was your most favourite job/role and why?

My favourite role has been the one where I’ve been closest to our customers. Being near the client keeps the work grounded in what truly matters understanding their priorities, anticipating challenges, and turning those insights into solutions that make their day-to-day operations easier and more efficient.

I also value how customer-facing roles bring together multiple disciplines: product, operations, technology, and relationship management. Working across teams to deliver the right outcomes often under time pressure has been both demanding and deeply rewarding, because you can see the impact directly in the customer experience.

Do you have a favourite motto or quote that guides your professional life?

Put the customer at the centre then simplify, improve, and deliver.”