Kerstin Braun

President, Stenn Group

Biography:

Kerstin Braun is president of Stenn Group, a non-bank trade finance provider. She’s a focused, hands-on sales executive with 20 years of experience in the accounts receivable insurance and financial risk industry, and she’s on a single-minded mission: make Stenn the frontrunner of cross-border trade finance.

Kerstin joined Stenn in 2017 as global head of sales, becoming president in 2018. She directs all areas of the company’s growth and development, including building Stenn’s global brand, charting the company’s continued expansion in terms of portfolio and footprint, and implementing technology to optimize operational performance.

Prior to Stenn, Kerstin held positions of increasing responsibility at global credit insurer Coface in Germany and the United States, most recently as executive vice president of sales and marketing.

In these roles, Kerstin has achieved consistent success in establishing and managing high performing passionate teams in multinational environments. Her experience extends to strategic planning and business development, CRM systems and process excellence programs, sales leadership, and building sustainable partnerships.

Kerstin holds a Doctor of Law degree from University of Tübingen and a PhD in Law from Universität Salzburg. She is a professor and guest lecturer in international sales management at ESB Business School, Reutlingen University.

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

This may sound simple, but my advice is to do a great job. Often, women are discouraged from becoming “the boss”, thanks to the negative connotations of women in power. Though the path may seem more convoluted for us, it will definitely be more rewarding.

Be the best you can be. Don’t overthink. Channel your ambition. Be competitive. Rumors may fly about you and your work style – people tend to jump to conclusions about driven women and their success – but I encourage you to keep your focus on doing a great job, ignoring these kinds of situations, and you will prosper. Sometimes, the only thing you can do is simply a great job.   

However, commercial finance is undergoing change – the old-fashioned way of doing business (for example, “boy’s club” networks) is giving way to new ideas and new processes. I encourage all high-performing women to stake ground in this change and lead by example.

Women already understand that they bring a different perspective to the office: We tend to look for more amicable solutions to problems and make company-focused decisions. These behaviors are often categorized as soft skills or non-strategic. I would want women just starting out to know that strategy is a learned skill, for both men and women. We bring much-needed balance to the workplace, and our ideas can be the driving force for organizations.

Along my professional journey, I built a strong personal network that supported me in both positive and negative situations. I encourage women to make sure they have people – in the industry and in other parts of their lives – who can be there for them as steady anchors. They will help create a life balance that will be steady as jobs come and go. This is absolutely necessary for success!

Studies have shown women are more reluctant to tout their accomplishments in the workplace. What advice would you give to help women be more comfortable with speaking up?

Speaking up is difficult for us because we typically make it far by emulating men. We have to ignore a lot of biases in order to keep pace. This is why we need more awareness about the benefits of corporations when they have gender equality in management positions, so women feel empowered to tout accomplishments without worrying about stepping on the toes of their male peers.

My advice for women is to find support in each other. We usually are lone warriors to prove to “the boys” that we don’t represent the female stereotype. Unfortunately, we have not learned to strengthen each other. If we stand together, we can empower each other to speak up and celebrate one another.

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

Success is about drive and determination, less about swallowing pride in order to climb the ladder. Of course, there’s still a bit of “mind over matter” involved, but sometimes this lends to young women underestimating themselves. Think big! Confidence goes a long way in the field, not complacency.

What do you enjoy most about your role? Least?

I love being involved in global trade. I’ve always been fascinated with it, especially in how it can improve individual lives. Despite the debates in our country for and against it, international trade has bettered our society as whole. I appreciate being involved with it and making a difference in people’s lives. My job is exciting and always evolving, and it also gives purpose to my life.