Starting out as a graduate
Emily joined Third Bridge straight out of university, drawn to the variety and real-world relevance of the work. With a degree in Economics, she wanted a role that kept her connected to the business world and exposed her to different industries. She found exactly that in Client Services.
Her first few months were intense but energizing. “I was working on at least five projects in a single day, and learning from all of them.” One moment she would be speaking with experts in Consumer Goods, the next exploring developments in Healthcare. Training programs, supportive managers, and direct conversations with experts helped her build confidence quickly. “That’s how I learned about the industry,” she says.
Emily spent three years at Third Bridge before leaving briefly to explore opportunities in Market Research. The pull of a leadership opportunity brought her back in 2017, this time as a Manager. “Coming back to lead a team of ten people was a great opportunity to develop my leadership skills and explore more potential in my career,” she says.
Returning as a leader
Coming back was both exciting and humbling. Emily was entering a new environment with new people who didn’t know her, and she had to build trust from the ground up. “It was not easy,” she says. “But I overcame the initial challenges, got to know my team, and gained their trust.”
What helped was her commitment to leading through example. “You need to show your team how you can lead them toward what the company wants to achieve, and how you can help them grow and progress.” As her team strengthened and progressed, so did Emily’s career.
Her growth from Manager to AVP meant evolving her leadership style, too. “When you are leading managers, you need to provide guidance and be more strategic. If you focus too much on the details, that becomes micromanagement.”
Today, what she enjoys most about her job is seeing both her clients and her team succeed. “I enjoy working closely with my clients and leading my team to progress,” she says.
A culture that lifts people up
More than ten years on from that first graduate role at Third Bridge, Emily says the reason she has stayed is the culture: “I feel a strong sense of support. People are always willing to help.”
That support flows from her managers, senior leaders, cross-functional teams, HR, IT, and colleagues who consistently share feedback or step in when needed. She also values how the company creates space for open conversations about new initiatives and personal development.
“Third Bridge is a place where people are always growing,” she explains. “The company provides leadership opportunities for the young generation, values differences, and helps all of us keep learning.”
Her own journey is a reflection of that environment: one where personal development is encouraged and growth happens through both opportunity and support.
Championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
One of the most meaningful chapters of Emily’s time at Third Bridge has been her work in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In 2019, she established the Shanghai office’s D&I Committee, which now runs regular initiatives such as Pride Month celebrations and Pink Friday for mental health awareness.
She volunteered for the role because the mission resonated deeply with her. “I’m proud to be championing DEI at Third Bridge. One of the topics I feel most strongly about is valuing women’s rights in the workplace, and that’s an important initiative for us on the D&I committee.”
She describes a chance encounter that helped her see how much value her work on the D&I Committee was bringing to her colleagues: “One day I heard someone talking about the rainbow flags and other decorations in recognition of Pride Month around the Shanghai office. She said she could tell that Third Bridge really cares about people and values their differences. She didn’t know I was the one who had put them up. That was my aha moment when I could feel the positive impact.”
Growing through mentorship
Emily has been both a mentor and a mentee through Third Bridge’s global mentorship program, originally launched by the New York office. As a mentor, she supported a junior colleague in Shanghai, discussing both professional growth and personal plans. As a mentee, she was matched with two senior leaders, including one of Third Bridge’s founders.
Emily made the most of this access to leaders she looks up to. “Before every session, I would reflect deeply and think about the questions I wanted to ask. My mentor shared experiences and opinions that were very helpful for me.” Those conversations continue to shape how she leads and develops her own team.
Life beyond work
Outside of work, Emily believes in living with energy and intention. She’s a competitive tennis player, a keen cyclist, and an enthusiastic hiker. Her next adventure is a week-long hiking trip through Nepal, covering around 15 kilometres a day in cold mountain weather.
Advice for future joiners
To graduates or early-career professionals considering a role at Third Bridge, Emily offers simple but thoughtful advice: “Stay open to new opportunities and never stop learning.”
From graduate hire to AVP, Emily’s journey shows what can happen when you lead with curiosity, commit to growth, and use your voice to create positive change for others.
