Leading the Way with Heidi Cruz

 

Leading from Work

 

How did your career develop?

Very organically with a little planning and a few personal choices. I’d always wanted to work at a global investment bank since grade school. I had an influential teacher who had us read Time magazine and take a test on global events every Friday. I gathered from this that New York was at the center of many major current events and exciting things were happening at investment banks. I also admired public service and spent time working in Washington D.C. to learn the ropes.

What’s the most important career advice you’ve received? 

I’ve received a few good pieces of advice. First, pursue a path that excites you, where you think you can have the deepest impact on the world. Find a place where you can be the best in your field. Second, do the toughest jobs first, the analytically most challenging, you can be a generalist later. Finally, never walk into your boss’s office without a pad and pen. Perfection matters. Proof, proof and reproof.

What is your role at Goldman Sachs, and how do you support clients?

I am the national Head of Client Development for Private Wealth Management. My role is to grow our business by identifying and forming new client relationships and deepening existing relationships. I also cover some of the most important clients in the country. My team works closely with the OneGS team to work with clients that can benefit from services and offerings from across the entire firm. We also help to lead several strategic initiatives focused on branding the firm and customizing the client experience.

How do you lead by example?

I outline a clear direction on an annual, quarterly and weekly basis, including goals and actions to support those goals. I love Goldman Sachs, its mission and guiding principles. I try to share this positive energy with colleagues and clients. I also strive to be one step ahead and work hard so that my team and colleagues feel supported and a part of an important forward moving cause.

What are some interesting themes and/or trends that you see in your area of expertise?

I think clients really value the personal relationships they form with our advisors. However, I think they value our superb platform that is consistent, lasting and innovative even more. Goldman Sachs has weathered a number of crises in the past and clients value the stability of our firm.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

The breadth and depth of relationships across the U.S. of which we get to be a part. I truly enjoy building and developing relationships and also the ability to provide and discuss macroeconomic and markets content. Whether it be making calls, Zoom meetings, or in-person huddles, I love the constant learning and high energy environment in which we find ourselves. This environment and the results we are able to achieve together for clients and the firm drives me forward. We constantly extend ourselves to best serve clients and help them achieve their goals and I couldn’t be prouder of our team and the firm.

I also enjoy mentoring new team members and helping them navigate the firm. It is exciting to see advisors building their own business and I love being a part of it.

 

Leading from Home

 

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Being at peace with your work and self comes not from controlling outcomes (because you can’t!) but from having a disciplined process and approach to everything you do. Most things you want to change will be achieved by being a better you and by growing and changing yourself. 

How do you find motivation and inspiration?

Early in the morning, I try to read something spiritual. The concept of gratitude is so important to my motivation and I try to promote gratitude each day to inspire others. We are fortunate in so many ways – family, education, firm,  country. My gratitude inspires me to live each day to the max.

What is one thing you make time for every week?

A 10-mile run every Saturday morning. Long late-night talks with my teenage daughter. Soaking in a spiritual message at our place of worship.

What is your favorite weekend activity?

Being with my family, including our dog, Snowflake, and tabby cat, Topsy. A date night with my husband. A good Monopoly game or movie with our daughters has also become a staple. 

How do you stay healthy – mentally, physically or both?

It is important to find time for yourself so you can be at your best. Much of my mental health is tied to daily cardio or CrossFit and a once a week hot yoga class. There is a lot of pressure when it comes to your career and raising kids. You want to do great at both. The women of Goldman Sachs are a very talented group and inspirational to me, especially on days when I am feeling those outside pressures.

What is your favorite book, movie, podcast or artwork?

My favorite book is The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money & Power, by Daniel Yergin. It talks about the history of energy and its interrelation with geopolitics. My favorite movie is Legally Blonde. When it comes to podcsts, I like to listen to Exchanges at Goldman Sachs!

What is one app on your phone that you can’t live without and why?

Map My Run – it keeps me accountable. What is not measured is not achieved. 

 

Leading for the future

 

How do we provide more leadership opportunities to women in the workforce?

It starts with how we raise our daughters – higher education is key, and it's important to help them find their passion and to be leaders. We need to encourage women to take hard subjects that will maximize outcomes and to pursue higher education. It is important that women focus on their careers early and maximize opportunities so if they do choose to have children in the future, there are resources there to support them. 

What are some of your professional and personal goals?

It is critical to have goals, and particularly when I was younger I had specific goals and times by which I wanted to achieve them. I’ve been at Goldman Sachs for 16 years and my goals have changed to focus on impact rather than title or position. Professionally, I strive to be a driver of growth for our business and to best understand our clients and their needs. I also want to continue to be an ambassador for Goldman Sachs, which is the premier brand in financial services. Personally, my goals center around healthy mind, body and spirit so I can give my best at all times to the firm, my family and my friends.

What suggestions would you give to women who are starting their careers?

Pursue the hardest job first and learn the fundamentals from the bottom up. Once you have those skills under your belt, you will be able to lead later on in your career.

Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

Helping to lead the best-in-class private wealth management business in the world. I enjoy markets, collaboration and partnering with our clients. We are fortunate to have so many resources at our finger tips and I hope to use these to help others. I have always had a strong interest in public service. I am dedicated to maximizing impact in the private sector with a healthy respect for contribution in the public sector.