For this month’s professional spotlight we are featuring Pedros Asgedom. Pedros is Executive Director with JPMorgan Chase, Division of Consumer and Community Banking. Learn more about Pedros, his work, and how he achieves work-life balance.

Could you briefly explain some of your responsibilities in your current career role.

I am an Executive Director with JPMorgan Chase Division of Consumer and Community Banking. I manage an analytics team, responsible for Credit Loss Forecasting. I am also responsible for the coordination and development of statistical models and quantitative frameworks, to assist with credit capital assessments resulting from the banks’ commercial loan portfolio. Other responsibilities include, assessment and measurement of the banks’ risk appetite, and ensuring the bank’s on-going growth strategy is within the bounds of defined risk levels.

What does work-life balance mean to you?

Work-life balance means being active, effective, and consistent with what matters to you. I am a father. I see fatherhood and family as the engine that fuels everything in my life. Balancing a demanding profession and family can be tricky. I try to achieve work-life balance by taking extended vacations to our favorite destinations, participating in kids activities, and keeping an active and healthy lifestyle.

What is one piece of advice you would give a young professional building their career and trying to balance their personal and professional life?

You can achieve career advancement and maintain personal growth. Your professional growth will come from mastery of your chosen field, building an effective professional network, and time management. Your balance in life will come from understanding yourself. Having a healthy home life, reducing stress points, keeping active, and being connected to your larger community will help achieve balance.

Do you have suggestions on steps people could take right now to develop a better work/life balance?

• List out the 5 most important things to you
• Grade yourself on each one
• Develop a simple goal for a defined period and how to improve on each one. Example: for a person working long hours, this could be- I will leave work by 6 and I will work out three days a week

Do you have a personal philosophy that drives your life and career?

I have two:

• Believe, conceive, achieve!
• Planning and preparation prevents poor performance