EP 5 – Banking on Inclusion: Daniela Klasen on Culture, Sponsorship & The Next Generation

In Episode 5 of The Gender Finance Podcast, we speak with Daniela Klasen, Luxembourg Country Head and Head of Institutional Banking at RBS International, about how banking culture in Luxembourg has evolved toward greater diversity and inclusion over nearly three decades.

Daniela shares how inclusivity is woven into everyday decision-making at RBS - from fair hiring practices and diverse talent pipelines to leadership accountability. She reflects on her own career journey and explains why sponsorship, rather than mentorship, proved the more powerful force in her progression, through direct advocacy and allyship from those around her.

The conversation also explores what leaders must do to build environments where talent can genuinely thrive - ones that are both fair and flexible. And looking ahead, Daniela offers her perspective on the next generation: a cohort that prioritises purpose, flexibility, and growth, and that increasingly takes ownership of its own career trajectory.

Whether you are early in your career or leading an organisation, this episode offers honest, grounded insights on what inclusive leadership looks like in practice.