Where Are They Now? Catching Up with Numerix’s 2019 Women in Finance Scholarship Winner, Danjela Guxha
At Numerix, we take pride in supporting the next generation of women shaping the future of finance. One shining example is Danjela Guxha, recipient of the 2019 Women in Finance Scholarship (previously awarded by FINCAD). Today, Danjela is a Portfolio Manager at Allianz Global Investors, where she applies her extensive academic training and real-world experience to manage global investment portfolios.
Back in 2019, when Danjela received the scholarship award, she had just begun her PhD in Finance at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland. Her goal was to deepen her research in asset and risk management by conducting research at a top U.S. university. The scholarship allowed her to pursue a visiting scholar position at Cornell University during the spring term of 2021, an opportunity that she says was inspiring for her development.
“Receiving the Women in Finance scholarship was an endorsement that gave me the courage to pursue what at the time of the application was more of a dream than a plan,” she reflects. “It enabled me to engage in meaningful research exchanges and refine the structure of my own work.”
Despite challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Danjela made the most of her time at Cornell, attending seminars and collaborating with fellow researchers. One experience that particularly resonated with her was a distinguished lecture by Professor Raj Chetty on the theme of equality of opportunity. “This mind-opening discourse made me even more grateful for the opportunity I was given,” she notes.
Danjela’s path to her current role has been marked by both academic excellence and practical experience. She began her education in her home country of Albania, earning a BS in Finance and Accounting from the University of Tirana. She went on to complete a master’s degree in economics and finance at Albert Ludwig’s University of Freiburg in Germany, prior to pursuing her PhD. Along the way, she gained valuable industry experience with major asset management firms such as Deutsche Asset and Wealth Management.
Now working at Allianz Global Investors, Danjela continues to build on the strong foundation laid during her academic journey. In her role, she draws on both theoretical and applied finance to manage portfolios and make data-informed investment decisions.
While she is proud of how far she’s come, Danjela also understands the challenges that women face in this industry. Her message to these women is clear: "Finance is a very fascinating and impactful field. I would encourage more women to pursue careers in this space and apply for the Numerix Women in Finance scholarship to help enable their next step."
She adds that perseverance and self-belief are essential. “Stay focused on your goals. If you want to pursue a career in finance, be bold, work hard and carve out your own path for growth and advancement.”
Celebrating the Impact
We’re proud to see how Danjela has grown her career and grateful to have played a small part in her journey. Her story reminds us why programs like the Women in Finance Scholarship are so important—to open doors for passionate, talented individuals who will go on to lead and inspire others.
About the Scholarship
Numerix’s US$20,000 Women in Finance scholarship opportunity is open to women of any citizenship who have less than ten years’ work experience and less than five years of professional experience in the financial field. Eligible candidates must be studying finance in a graduate-level program at an accredited institution and must be pursuing or planning to pursue a career in financial asset management, market risk management, structured finance, fixed-income, and derivatives within the capital markets.
Check out our Women in Finance webpage for more information, including eligibility guidelines and a link to the official application form.
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely Danjela Guxha’s own and do not express the views or opinions of her employer.
