Tannia Munroe, the Director of Emerging Markets Product Management at Tradeweb, has recently earned recognition at the inaugural Women in Finance Latin America Awards. Hosted by Markets Media Group in Mexico City on March 6, the event celebrated outstanding achievements by women in finance across Latin America. Tannia’s award in the category of Excellence in Trading Platforms highlights her leadership and impact on the financial technology landscape, particularly in the realm of emerging markets.
Markets Media Group took the opportunity to sit down with Tannia to discuss her career journey, professional achievements, and perspectives on success, as well as the challenges she has faced and the advice she has for future generations of women in finance.
Proudest Professional Achievement
Reflecting on her career, Tannia notes that one of her proudest professional achievements was her involvement in the transition to the new OIS (Overnight Indexed Swap) rate in Mexico. This was a significant milestone for the financial market and marked a pivotal moment for Tradeweb as well.
“It was a major success, and it was a collaborative effort involving numerous stakeholders. It wasn’t just my success, it was Tradeweb’s success,” she says. “Seeing it come to fruition, after many years of groundwork, was incredibly rewarding. At the start, there were times when people were dismissive of the idea, saying it was still years away. But when the day finally came, and we saw the transition take place, it was a monumental moment for the market.”
Tannia’s role in this initiative was not just as a participant but as a leader. Her contribution to the project encompassed every phase of the process, from planning and education to execution and testing. “It wasn’t something that happened overnight,” she explains. “There was a lot of planning and collaboration involved, and that’s what makes it so satisfying when it finally works.”
Overcoming Career Challenges
Throughout her career, Tannia has faced various challenges, particularly in navigating changes in her professional path. She started her career in a very different role within the finance industry—accounting. As she advanced in her career, she realized that her skills and passions aligned better with the fintech side of the business.
“One of the biggest challenges for me was learning to embrace change. There’s no real progress without it,” she admits. “If I had stayed in accounting just because it was familiar and part of the track I had set for myself, I probably wouldn’t have achieved what I have today. It wasn’t the right fit for my personality, so I had to take a risk and make a pivot.”
Her transition to a fintech role at Tradeweb was a significant change, but it was one that paid off. “Being able to take that step was crucial for my growth,” she reflects. “It was uncomfortable at first, but I took the risk, and I’m proud of the success we’ve achieved as a team.”
However, the challenges Tannia has faced have not only been professional. As a mother, balancing the demands of a high-powered career with family life has been an ongoing challenge. She openly acknowledges that being a working mother is difficult, and the support she received from her family has been essential.
“Being a mom and working in a demanding field is no easy feat. But I’m fortunate to work for a company like Tradeweb that offers a supportive environment,” Tannia says. “I also rely heavily on my personal support system—my husband, my parents, and my extended family. It’s always been a group effort. You can’t do it alone.”
Influences and Mentorship
Tannia acknowledges the influence of others in her career, both as mentors and sponsors. She points out that some of the most impactful professional relationships have been those that developed organically.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with some amazing people throughout my career,” Tannia explains. “I have one person in particular whom I consider both a mentor and a sponsor. I don’t think he even realizes it, but that’s the beauty of it. It wasn’t part of an official mentorship program. It just happened naturally. We recognized that we could help each other and bring different strengths to the table.”
This kind of mentorship has played a significant role in Tannia’s professional development. It underscores the importance of authentic relationships in the workplace—those that are not based on formal structures but on mutual respect, support, and the willingness to help one another succeed.
Advice for Women in Finance
When asked about advice for young women considering a career in finance, Tannia encourages them to embrace change and step outside their comfort zones. “It’s important to be open to new opportunities,” she says. “Oftentimes, we hold ourselves back, thinking we aren’t qualified enough or that we haven’t done something before, so we shouldn’t even try. But the truth is, no one starts a job fully qualified. If you wait until you’re 100% ready, you’re not challenging yourself. Growth comes from pushing your boundaries.”
Tannia’s advice is grounded in her own experiences. “It’s not about knowing everything right away. It’s about being willing to learn, grow, and adapt. But you also need to work hard to improve your skills, to become qualified, and to reach the level of expertise that’s expected of you. It’s a continuous process.”
Future Goals and Vision
Looking ahead, Tannia is focused on the future of emerging markets at Tradeweb. “There is still so much untapped potential in emerging markets,” she notes. “Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, holistic solution for clients in this space. We’ve made great progress already, supporting interest rate derivatives, cash bonds, EM ETFs, and EM repo. But we’re not done yet.”
Tradeweb’s expansion into emerging market repo products is a key focus for the company’s future development. Tannia sees this as an opportunity to further strengthen the platform’s offerings, particularly for clients looking for more comprehensive funding solutions. “The growth of our EM repo product is exciting, and it will open up new opportunities for us to add even more value for our clients in the future,” she explains.
As Tannia looks to the future, she remains committed to supporting Tradeweb’s expansion into emerging markets and providing clients with the best tools and solutions available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tannia Munroe’s current role at Tradeweb?
Tannia Munroe serves as the Director of Emerging Markets Product Management at Tradeweb. She is responsible for leading the development of products designed to cater to the needs of clients in the emerging markets space.
What award did Tannia Munroe receive at the Women in Finance Latin America Awards?
Tannia Munroe won the Excellence in Trading Platforms award at the inaugural Women in Finance Latin America Awards, hosted by Markets Media Group. This award recognized her significant contributions to the trading platforms in the financial sector.
What was Tannia Munroe’s proudest professional achievement?
Tannia’s proudest achievement was her involvement in the successful transition to the new OIS (Overnight Indexed Swap) rate in Mexico. It required extensive collaboration across different teams and was a milestone for both Tradeweb and the market.
How did Tannia Munroe transition from accounting to fintech?
Tannia initially worked in accounting before pivoting to the fintech sector, a decision that she believes was crucial for her career. Embracing change allowed her to align her skills and passions with her role at Tradeweb, leading to greater career satisfaction and success.
What challenges has Tannia Munroe faced in her career?
Tannia has faced challenges in embracing career changes and navigating a demanding work-life balance as a working mother. Despite these challenges, she has thrived by leveraging support from her family and colleagues.
How did Tannia Munroe manage work-life balance as a working mother?
Tannia credits her success in balancing her professional and personal life to the strong support system she has, both at work and in her family. She emphasizes that no one can do it all alone, and the support of her team and family has been essential.
Conclusion
Tannia Munroe’s journey in the finance and fintech industries exemplifies the power of resilience, adaptability, and collaboration. From her early days in accounting to her current role as Director of Emerging Markets Product Management at Tradeweb, she has demonstrated a willingness to embrace change and take risks—qualities that have been key to her success.
