“It was a very uplifting experience to be surrounded by women who understand the unique challenges we face.” - Andrea Larraya, People Business Partners Director at Commercetools

Andrea Larraya is the People Business Partners Director at Commercetools in Germany. After years of working closely with teams at high-profile organisations like Heineken, Airbus, and Glovo, Andrea recently transitioned to the startup environment. Today, she’s honing her people skills in her role at Commercetools, with a focus on human resources.

Over the course of her career, she has had to navigate a handful of ongoing challenges, many of which intersect with her personal life. For example, Andrea is often on the road due to the international nature of her work, posing challenges for her relationships and overall well-being. On top of that, she has often been the youngest professional in the room, and the only woman at the table. 

However, she believes that stepping out of her comfort zone allows her to learn from different cultures and perspectives. This is why Andrea’s strong sense of curiosity has always led her to seek out opportunities for continuous learning. For this reason, when she came across the SW50 program in a LinkedIn post, she suddenly knew she had to participate.

Hosted by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and created to empower female leaders across the globe, the Santander’s W50 course brings together fifty management-level professionals in distinct fields to work in tandem to improve their leadership skills. Andrea, in order to dedicate some time to herself, to connect with other remarkable and high-level businesswomen, and to contribute to her personal growth, felt the urge to take part in this experience. 

In this interview, Andrea shares with us the transformative experience in SW50, where she cultivated self-belief, and gained a stronger understanding of her positive attributes and accomplishments.

Given your career, how did you know you had the need to keep learning?

I’m a naturally curious person committed to continuous learning and growth, so my goal in joining the course was to dedicate time to refocus on my well-being. I wanted to embrace the experience fully, learn, and connect with other remarkable women. It had been a long time since I took a step back to focus on myself. 

Alongside this personal investment, I saw the course as an opportunity for professional development. Often inclined to focus on my shortcomings, I felt that by investing time and energy in myself, I could enhance my leadership skills and build a more resilient foundation for growth.

And were you able to achieve your goal in this course?

Yes, but in unexpected ways. The course helped me realise that I often felt nervous when my managers challenged me to take on new roles and I had neglected myself in terms of cultivating self-belief and prioritising my well-being. 

However, during the course, I was prompted to think about the qualities and experiences that have shaped me into the woman that I am. With some reflection, I realised that I tend to overlook my positive attributes and all of my accomplishments. I feel that the program developed my self-awareness and self-confidence.

How could you come to this conclusion?

I’m a married mother with a young child — and my family is a top priority for me. It was encouraging to be amongst other women during the program, because we could support one another as businesswomen and mothers. I was deeply touched by the support offered by the more experienced moms, those with older children, who had a lot of advice and wisdom to share about balancing family life and business. 

We quickly created a safe space to discuss our personal experiences and concerns, but I hadn’t expected that going into the course. In fact, as I spent more time with remarkable women from unique backgrounds, I was deeply inspired to open up without fear of judgment.

To what extent did women leaders in the Sw50 community help you become the leader you are today?

During our week-long gathering in London, I felt like I had known the other participants for years already. The atmosphere was vibrant and that enabled us to open up and connect on a deep level. I left the course with a strong community of professional women who have unique backgrounds and remarkable personal narratives, and are ready to lend a helping hand when I need it.

In fact, even though the program ended a few months back, a group of us still hold monthly check-ins. We’re also planning to meet up in-person next year. These meetings give us the space to open up about challenges we’re facing and share our personal experiences.

What is Andrea like as a woman leader today?

I have a stronger understanding of the type of legacy that I’d like to create as a leader for my team and those around me, along with how I can improve my strengths to actively lead a team. In addition, now I know how I can grow and improve as a leader in the human resources field and, more specifically, in my position at Commercetools.

How do you face your next professional steps now?

I began my role at Commercetools in January 2024, just as my family and I undertook a major move from Spain to Germany. I’m grateful to be part of a strong team, surrounded by remarkable colleagues and leaders, and guided by an inspiring manager who motivates me daily. 

At this moment, I am fully committed to embracing this journey, as I genuinely feel fulfilled and empowered at Commercetools. In this supportive environment, I feel motivated and confident to continue learning and growing.

Looking back now, Andrea sees the challenges she struggled to complete. However, they taught her invaluable lessons and contributed to her growth. Despite her fears, she always seized new opportunities. For this reason, Andrea encourages other women in business in her situation to do the same: not to be scared and just go for it!

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