Guelay Mese

Director, Head of Asset-Based Lending, BNP Paribas

Biography:

Guelay Mese serves as Director, Head of Asset Based Lending at BNP Paribas. She is responsible for developing and executing the business strategy of the ABL platform and the origination, structuring and underwriting of ABL facilities to both corporate and sponsor clients across various industries. Prior to joining BNPP in 2011, Guelay was with Deutsche Bank’s Structured

Debt Products team where she originated and syndicated ABL loans in North America and Europe. Throughout her 25-year career, she has continuously expanded her financial knowledge working in the US and Germany in various business areas and capacities including global and middle-market corporate finance, SME, credit risk management, global relationship management, financial institutions and retail banking.

Guelay acts as career advisor in BNPP’s Career Facilitation Program, supports bank-sponsored corporate social responsibility and philanthropy initiatives, and is a member of BNPP’s Women’s Business Networking Group MixCity and SFNET’s Women in Commercial Finance Committee. She has an MBA from Columbia Business School and is fluent in English, German and Turkish. Guelay enjoys travel and currently resides in Westport, CT with her husband and three daughters.

What advice would you offer to women just starting out in the industry?

My advice is three-fold: network, be proactive, and be yourself.

It is important to network early in your career, both within your organization and externally. The value of the time you invest in building and maintaining a good network will become more evident later on as you leverage resources to help achieve success. Some of my most trusted relationships today were developed in the first years of my career.

Proactively take ownership of your professional development. Expand your knowledge and broaden your horizon. Career paths are no longer rigid. Flexibility and mobility help increase opportunities to stretch out of your comfort zone and challenge you to continue to grow and reach your goals. Embrace change and have the courage to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.

Lastly, be true to yourself. Women offer a unique perspective and approach to how they contribute to an organization’s success. Heidi Voelker’s message to Mikaela Shiffrin, both US Olympics Ski Team racers, once was: “Dream big…and always be faster than the boys”. My twist on this great advice, which I hope to pass on to my daughters, is to “…always be better…” and demonstrate it through working hard and smart, showing competency and delivering results. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, you already stand out. Leverage this to your advantage and make a strong impression.

What do you know now that you wish you knew in the beginning of your career?

I wish I knew just how much was possible. Throughout my career, I have consistently taken risks and pushed the limits of my comfort zone. For example, I moved countries and became the first in my family to obtain an MBA. Do not be afraid to make bold moves and always be your own biggest advocate.

Additionally, I wish I had more confidence in what I had to offer. Sharing your ideas and perspectives openly and with conviction affects how you are perceived. I learned to trust my instincts.

What kind of role has mentoring and/or sponsorship played in your career?

Many of the mentor relationships throughout my career were formed organically, both within the workplace as well as personally. I was fortunate to learn from some incredible people: managers, peers, family and friends. Their perspectives and advice are immensely valuable to me. Trust is essential in any successful mentor relation- ship. Open up and ask for honest feedback and advice that will make a difference to you. I now mentor others, which I find very rewarding and is my way of giving back.

What do you think the industry could do to attract and retain the best and the brightest today?

Attracting and retaining top talent is very challenging in our industry today. Many young professionals are drawn to businesses where they feel they can make a difference, that offer dynamic and exciting roles, a realistic career path, and where diversity and inclusion is a top priority.

We need to offer meaningful professional development and career advancement opportunities to foster a sense of continued growth. I am a strong proponent of rotational training, particularly for professionals who are starting out, providing them with a well-rounded experience. To attract female talent specifically, the industry needs to increase and enhance its support of diversity, provide top leadership opportunities and pay equity. We have to create an environment that is flexible and accepting of women who seek better work-life balance.

Tell us something about yourself that may surprise people.

I enjoy designing and creating special- occasion cakes.