Every week, interesting personalities from the world of finance and beyond share their personal preferences in our section Backstage.

What do you do first in the morning?

Six months ago, I adopted my dog Giotto, a stray from Sicily. Now I love our morning walks, even when it's raining. I have made it a habit to leave my smartphone at home so that I can think undisturbed – usually accompanied by a cup of hot coffee.

What is the best thing about your job?

First and foremost, it’s my team. We’ve found the perfect blend of fun and professionalism, which makes every workday enjoyable. In a broader sense, I enjoy sitting between some of the world’s most sophisticated clients and Wellington’s talented investment experts. The fact that Wellington has a boutique investment model covering all asset classes, including alternative investments such as hedge funds, means that I have access to top experts for every market segment.

A moment that changed your life?

I would have to go back to my adoption of Giotto, which definitely changed my life for the better. Then, my entry into the financial industry may not have been life-changing, but it was certainly a pivotal moment in my life. I started my career as an intern at Citi in Switzerland in August 2008. That definitely shaped my view of the industry.

What cars do you own? Which is your favorite?

Ha – funny that the question is asked in the plural. I own an unassuming 2012 Seat Ibiza, which I hardly ever use. I spend much more time on my Vespa LX125.

What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?

Luck is one of the most important factors for success. You can increase your «luck radius» by constantly expanding your network and knowledge. Read books, educate yourself, get to know lots of people – the rest will follow.

What are you particularly proud of?

I am proud of what my parents have achieved. They were children of southern Italian immigrants, with very little money and little support. With care and hard work, they managed to put all three children through university. Today, my two siblings and I all work in finance and lead comfortable lives.

What do you do when you have doubts?

When it comes to work, I am very fortunate to work for a company like Wellington, where senior partners and investors are always willing to listen and advise others. I have always been able to share my doubts with experienced leaders who have gone through similar phases in their lives.

What is your favorite wine?

I don’t consider myself a wine connoisseur, but I like Tuscan wines. Il Pino di Biserno is a good choice.

What projects are you currently working on?

At the moment, I devote myself entirely to my work at Wellington during the week and use my free time to see more of the world. My job is to expand Wellington’s presence in the wealth management sector in Switzerland – that’s my big project and my main focus.

What do you admire in other people?

It’s fascinating to get to know people who have learned to show their true selves, even among strangers.

What would be the biggest surprise for someone who had to take over your job for a day?

My role as Business Development Manager at Wellington requires a lot of creativity and initiative. It’s about constantly trying to understand what is important to clients and seeing if we can offer  them something of value.

What is your personal drive?

Given my background and upbringing, I want to know how far I can go in life. My parents had us children at a young age and gave up a lot to raise us. Because of their sacrifices, I feel an obligation to honor them by pushing my own limits and discovering what I'm capable of.

What are you afraid of?

That's obvious. I'm afraid of heights.

Your favorite watch brand?

I like the fact that a watch can outlive its owner and pass on their story. My favorite watch brand is Zenith. A few years ago, I inherited a Zenith Defy from the 1970s from my grandfather. It was in very poor condition. But the mechanical movement still worked, so I had it completely restored.

Is there an unfulfilled dream that you would still like to realize?

I have a long-term idea of perhaps one day starting a business with my siblings. My brother Fabio recently started working in private credit in New York, while my sister Ilena works for family offices in Switzerland. So there is potential for synergy. Another idea ist o one day pursue a career where I can be more involved in helping disadvantaged people.

Your best investment?

Definitely my education. Apart from acquiring knowledge, I have found that my degrees and certificates have provided me with invaluable contacts with like-minded people, either directly in class or, as in the case of CFA and CAIA, as door openers.

Luca Michienzi is Co-Head and Business Development Manager Wealth Management SwitzerlandWellington Management. Previously, he held various positions at Citibank and UBS. He holds a bachelor’s degree from ZHAW and is CFA and CAIA certified.