The #BOFaces series introduces you to the people making up BlueOrchard’s dedicated team, which is spread across our offices around the world. This week, we had the pleasure of speaking with Lidia Richter, Financial Accounting and Reporting Specialist, based in the Zurich office. Continue reading if you want to know why Lidia joined BlueOrchard and what she does to make an impact in her own private life.

Why did you join BlueOrchard?

I was inspired by the company´s mission to generate positive, measurable social, and environmental impact alongside with the financial return for its investors. I was getting ready for the job interview at BlueOrchard, when I came across a video of Peter Fanconi traveling to Kyrgyzstan, my home country, to meet a woman whose business was financed by a microfinance organisation supported by BlueOrchard.

It was a children’s day care, which enabled many parents to go to work and provide for their families. From that moment it was clear to me, that I wanted to be part of these successful stories and BlueOrchard.

What do you enjoy most about working at BlueOrchard?

It is definitely interactions with my colleagues. BlueOrchard has a very dynamic team, where diversity is the key to success. I enjoy the management style of my department in particular, which I would describe as transformational. The working environment supports innovation, room for implementing new ideas to improve our processes, and provides opportunity to take responsibility.

And lastly, how do you make an impact in your private life? 

For me, it starts with the basics, like recycling and sorting waste such as paper, glass, and plastic. Also when I go shopping I ask myself, if I really need a new blouse or if the ones I have at home are enough. The consumption of resources is what matters to me.

In my family life we often take the bus instead of the car, if we are doing something close to home. I also teach my kids to turn off the water while soaping their hands during hand washing to not waste clean water. A little goes a long way.

Thank you, Lidia.