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We sat down for an interview with Elona Attard, the Head of Operations at Xace, to gain insights into why she joined Xace, what she enjoys about working with the company and to learn more about her personal experiences living and working in Malta.
Can you walk us through your professional journey and how it led you to your current role in Operations?
My professional journey has been diverse, starting with my early work experience in the casino industry at the age of 21. Seeking growth opportunities, I ventured abroad for two years to gain further experience in the same field, which proved to be a valuable learning experience that helped me better understand my strengths and capabilities. Upon my return to Malta, I pursued studies in leadership and management while working in the gaming and crypto space for four years, eventually taking on leadership and management roles that oversaw teams ranging from 30 to 80 employees. Throughout my career, I have consistently demonstrated a proactive approach to projects, focusing on ensuring their efficient completion. I place a strong emphasis on fostering the growth and development of my team members, ensuring that they feel supported, heard, valued, and integral to the success of our collective goals.
What encouraged you to join Xace?
After conducting thorough research on the company, I recognized its potential and saw an opportunity for me to expand my expertise within the financial industry. While intuition plays a significant role in my decision-making process, meeting the company's managers during the interview only solidified my conviction that joining Xace was the right career move. From the outset, I sensed a strong sense of community and the potential to make a significant impact, and I am immensely grateful for the opportunity and trust that Xace has extended to me since day one. Overall, joining Xace has been the best decision for my career growth and development.
What are your primary responsibilities as the head of operations?
In my role as the Head of Operations, I am primarily responsible for managing the operations of our frontline teams, including support, onboarding, and payments, whilst collaborating with various departments within the company. My main objective is to ensure that our clients receive exceptional support throughout their entire journey with us, from pre-onboarding to post-onboarding. At Xace, we prioritize a personal but professional approach with our clients, which sets us apart in our industry.
How do you foster a culture of continuous improvement within your team?
To cultivate a culture of continuous improvement within my team, I prioritize independent work and trust in my team's abilities to manage their responsibilities effectively while ensuring they know that I am available to provide support whenever needed. My team comprises of mature, diligent individuals who are dedicated to their work and clients, and I consider myself fortunate to work alongside them. To foster sense of team spirit and cohesion, the company organizes various team-building events and social activities. Additionally, with the recent acquisition of an excellent office space, we can now collaborate and work together after being fully remote.
What are your goals for the upcoming months in 2023?
In the coming months of 2023, I aim to achieve several key objectives. Firstly, I plan to continue to expand the Operations Team by hiring new team members who can contribute to our overall success, whilst ensuring that the team has access to the necessary tools and resources to perform their duties effectively and comfortably. Additionally, I will maintain a focus to continue providing a learning and development-oriented work environment to help team members grow both professionally and personally. Finally, working with the other departmental heads, we will continue to strive to expand our business reach in different jurisdictions and offer new and innovative products to our existing and potential clients.
What advice would you give to future female aspiring leaders?
Do not let self-doubt prevent you from accepting new challenges, as personal growth often results from facing discomfort and overcoming obstacles. Embracing a mindset that recognizes the ongoing potential for learning and development is important, as opportunities for growth are always present. Pursue your passions and connect with supportive, like-minded individuals. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, no matter how seemingly insignificant, there’s nothing you cannot achieve or learn if you really put your head and heart into what you do.
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