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Paralympian Skier Balances Alpine Slopes and Trading Floors
21 Mar
Summary
- A visually impaired skier competed in the Paralympics while working in finance.
- She trained by traveling between London and a Spanish ski resort.
- Her employer allowed remote work for several weeks to support her training.
Alejandra Requesens, a 23-year-old employee at Jefferies Financial Group Inc., recently competed in the Paralympic Games as part of the Spanish national ski team. Despite significant visual impairment, seeing only 8-10% due to a childhood illness and treatment, Requesens participated in the giant slalom and slalom events.
Her dual commitment required extensive travel between London, where she works on the prime brokerage desk, and the Sierra Nevada ski resort in Spain for training. Jefferies notably supported her ambition by allowing her to work remotely from Austria for several weeks earlier in the season.
Requesens, who joined Jefferies full-time in 2023 after an internship, finds parallels between her professional career and her athletic endeavors. She believes her ambition and the skills developed through skiing, such as managing nerves and persistence, have significantly benefited her work.
Working with her guide Victoria Ibanez for five years, Requesens relies on an intercom system for communication during races. Though they finished 11th in giant slalom and 12th in slalom, Requesens described the experience as incredible, highlighting the trust and understanding crucial for skiing with a guide.
