Laura Rockefeller
By Pauline Coutts
Sometimes it’s the simplest memories which make you smile when you think back to the time before 9/11.
This is true of my memories of Laura Rockefeller, who worked at many of the conferences and events the company ran. I did not know Laura well, but she made a lasting impression which has remained with me.
I first met Laura when I was on a trip to New York and was asked to help first thing at a conference at the Roosevelt Hotel next to Grand Central Station. Laura was there early as usual to help with the setup and registrations. The first speaker hadn’t yet arrived and as it turned out had gone to the wrong hotel – and then promptly refused to come to the Roosevelt.
Some of the attendees were rather annoyed, as they had arrived early specifically to hear this speaker, some having travelled from London for the event. While the producer frantically tried to make alternative arrangements, Laura dealt with the situation very calmly and competently. When I returned later that day she was still there, making sure everything ran smoothly until the last delegate had left.
We ended up sitting outside the empty conference room chatting about her life in New York, enjoying a glass of wine together as she wound down after a tiring day.
On another occasion she joined a few of us for dinner at a downtown apartment where one of the founding Risk directors was staying. Laura noticed a piano in the corner of the room and promptly sat down to play. She was note-perfect. It was a fun evening, full of laughter.
And that was what our colleagues were doing on September 11: working hard, building their careers, but also having fun and enjoying each other’s company.
At this time of year, we will always remember them, and reflect on our individual experiences on that day and the days and months which followed.
Anyone who worked for Risk Waters at the time will have lots of good memories of the people who tragically died on that day. It was a relatively small company, so the staff all knew each other well and spent a lot of time together, both at work and socially.
Laura was a true professional, someone who could be counted on to do a great job, was wonderful company and I am sure would have been a fantastic friend.
Pauline Coutts, HR director at Risk Waters, 1995–2005
If you would like to view all the articles in our 9/11 commemoration, click here
Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.
To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@risk.net or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.risk.net/subscribe
You are currently unable to print this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.
You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (point 2.4), printing is limited to a single copy.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@risk.net
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (clause 2.4), an Authorised User may only make one copy of the materials for their own personal use. You must also comply with the restrictions in clause 2.5.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@risk.net
More on Comment
Op risk data: Shady loans robbing Reliance of $1.1bn
Also: H20’s less-than-liquid holdings, Ripple ripped for $125m, and more WhatsApp slaps expected. Data by ORX News
FX algo users change tack to navigate market doldrums
BestX data finds traders ditching TWAP in favour of more opportunistic execution styles
Op risk data: Payday lender Skytrail sees $1.4bn disappear
Also: Cartel claims cost European bond dealers dearly, plus oil price gouging and crypto cover-ups. Data by ORX News
For US Treasury troubles, treat the cause not the symptom
Regulatory alarm about hidden risk in the Treasury futures market misses the point, fund association execs write
Corporate ‘greenium’ reveals effect of ESG rules on returns
Analysis of sustainable products shows how SFDR has caused a shift in investor behaviour, writes economist
Honey, I shrunk the Fed. (Not a sci-fi fantasy)
Promoting the discount window may be the Fed’s key to shrinking its $7trn balance sheet, says Bill Nelson
For the Fed discount window, destigmatisation starts at home
US supervisors must change tack to encourage central bank liquidity utilisation, writes Bill Nelson
Op risk data: UBS takes a giant Greensill pill
Also: Nasdaq insider trading rap; Trafigura travesty; further Citi fat-finger fail. Data by ORX News