“I have two lives,” says Anne Catherine Grave, country head of Crestbridge. As we stand in her spacious office, which via a massive window overlooks avenue John F. Kennedy and the greenery beyond, only one of these lives is apparent: that of financial services, revenues, business, dress codes, etc.

As Grave introduces the various objects on her desk (and within the office), however, the second life comes more into focus. And it starts with the most conspicuous thing in the room.

A painting by Frank Jons

Walking into the office, your first view is the view--but after that comes an explosion of colour in your periphery: a painting by Luxembourgish artist Frank Jons. When you turn to face it, it punches you in the eye.

As Grave launches into description of the painting, her several thoughts overlap on their way out: “All these colours, it’s really dynamic, it’s peppy, it gives you---you come in the morning and you already have--I love it.”

For her, she says, the piece represents positivity and energy, translating into an upbeat attitude towards life. “It really fits with my mindset,” she says.

She also draws a parallel between herself and the artist, who began his career in finance. “We have a little bit of a similar story… I’m a student in theatre,” she explains.

Photos and posters

Which brings us to the next object in Grave’s office: a collage of posters and photos, several of which pertain to her second life, in which she is a drama student. She’s two years into a degree, and goes to Belgium three times a week for her studies.

Asked whether and how this world filters into her role as country head of Crestbridge, Grave remarks that it has helped a lot with public speaking.

More generally, she says: “It’s really my oxygen. I need this to balance all the stress that finance work can bring.” It goes deeper than stress relief, however. “It’s a lot about humanity when you do drama or theatre. It’s giving emotions to people for free, it’s not a question of revenue. It’s just giving.” This is what she brings to her office, she says. “People always say that, in finance, you need to be strict… but I think you can also approach finance with, really, a lot of humanity and empathy towards people.”

Regarding the cartoon (“J’overthink beaucoup trop…”), Grave explains that this was a gift from former colleagues. “They always said I think too much,” she says with a laugh. “I know I’m thinking--I’m trying to find the bottom, to shut down my mind, and I never find it!”

Flowers

Still within Grave’s second world of colours and art comes a potted orchid. Flowers are a staple in her life, says the country head, who goes through three vases of them per week at home. “I need to be surrounded by beautiful things,” she suggests, linking the flowers to the painting and then to the view outside, where a blanket of green trees stretches out into the distance. (One can forget how leafy Kirchberg actually is.)

“Whatever happens, we are surrounded by beautiful things,” she says, emphasising the importance of getting perspective on hard work and business goals.

“I need to have plants, I need to have flowers.”

Family photo

“Family… the foundation of everything,” says Grave. “Whatever happens in your life, you go back to that fundamental.”

Grave talks about her parents and how they instilled work as a value in her. “If you work hard, you succeed. That was always the story of my family. And I really believe in it.”

She also recognises the role of facilitators in success, however, noting that her husband takes care of a lot of organisational things at home, and particularly now during her drama studies in Belgium. “I really got the chance to have a wonderful husband,” she adds.