The Women in Finance series continues! Hear from experts and connect with our financial partners – build your network!
What led you to Finance?
Finance has always captivated my interest due to my natural affinity for numbers and my exceptional skills in mathematics. During my college years, I pursued a major in business administration, and it was during this time that I discovered my true passion for corporate finance through the captivating classes I took in this field.
I further deepened my understanding of finance by serving as a professor assistant at the University of Buenos Aires, where I had the privilege of teaching Finance management to second-year students for a span of two years. This experience solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in finance.
Advice to other women pursuing a career in Finance?
To all the women pursuing a career in finance, I offer the following advice: first and foremost, have confidence in your abilities. Believe in yourself and recognize that you possess the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in corporate finance. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and use them as platforms to showcase your talents.
Seek out mentors and role models who have succeeded in the world of corporate finance. Their experiences and insights can be invaluable in navigating your career path and overcoming obstacles. Additionally, building a strong professional network is crucial. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and connect with colleagues and leaders in your field. Cultivating relationships can open doors to new opportunities and provide support throughout your career.
Continuously develop your skills and knowledge to stay relevant in the dynamic field of corporate finance. Stay updated on industry trends, regulations, and best practices. Pursue relevant certifications, attend training programs, and engage in continuous learning to enhance your expertise and remain competitive. Advocate for yourself and actively seek opportunities to showcase your skills. Don’t be afraid to negotiate for promotions, salary increases, or challenging assignments that can propel your career forward.
Remember to embrace challenges and take calculated risks. Stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to personal and professional growth, demonstrating your willingness to take on new responsibilities. However, it’s crucial to create a healthy work-life balance. Prioritize self-care, manage stress effectively, maintain personal relationships, and pursue hobbies or interests outside of work.
Lastly, support and empower other women in your field. Celebrate their successes and offer support when needed. By fostering a supportive community, we can contribute to creating a more inclusive and diverse corporate finance industry. Together, we can break barriers and achieve remarkable success in finance.
About Victoria Lugli
As a global finance transformation & integration professional, Victoria has a strong background in Cloud & SaaS with over 15 years of experience in finance operations and strategy, ERP, CRM & HCM implementations, and functional & technology expertise in consulting in client-facing environments. Victoria’s experience is in leading enterprise-wide initiatives at a global level, fostering customer relationships, stakeholder management and alignment, and driving overall initiative success by collaborating with all levels of the organization.
Victoria has a strong professional experience in IT and business consulting in the Pacific Northwest. Victoria, then, worked in finance transformation and integration at UKG and managed M&A finance integration efforts at Salesforce.
Currently, Victoria leads Cisco’s FP&A Automation driving efficiencies around multiple financial processes and reports. She also drives the FP&A long-range planning process collaborating with Finance and Business stakeholders.
Victoria is originally from Buenos Aires (Argentina) and moved to the USA twenty years ago. She currently resides in Miami (Florida). She holds an MBA from the University of Portland (2006-2008) and has completed post-graduate work at MIT (2020-2021) with a focus on Digital Transformation. Her hobbies include snorkeling, paddle boarding, and traveling.
Fun fact: Victoria worked as an adjunct professor at University of Portland Undergrad Business School for a year post UP Pamplin MBA graduation.