Navigating My Oracle Journey: A Story of Resilience, Growth, and Unexpected Twists

After 13 years at Oracle, I’ve accumulated countless experiences—some challenging, some rewarding, all transformative. I realized I needed to put them into words, to reflect on the lessons learned and share a story that might resonate with others navigating their own professional journeys.

What I learnt is a career isn’t just a series of job titles—it’s a journey full of moments that shape you, test you, and push you beyond what you thought possible. My journey at Oracle has been one of resilience, challenges and deep transformation. It’s a story of ambition, of roadblocks, and of learning that sometimes the hardest moments teach you the most.

A Role That Felt Like Home: My Time as a Financial Controller

When I moved into Oracle as a Financial Controller, I wasn’t stepping into the unknown—I was building on a foundation of experience. Having spent six years at Boston Scientific in a similar role, I knew the technical aspects. But what I didn’t anticipate was how the people I worked with would shape my experience.

?? What I loved: The energy of a strong, collaborative team. The feeling of walking into work every day knowing I had people who had my back, where hard work was valued and contributions truly recognized.

?? The struggle: Hard work alone wasn’t enough; I had to learn to navigate the system and it was not easy sometimes.

?? A proud moment: Spearheading initiatives to streamline country accounts, introduce digital efficiencies, and standardize financial frameworks. Seeing the impact of those changes reinforced that my work mattered.

?? A super good day: Standing in front of senior leaders, delivering a presentation as the only lower-level professional in the room. It was validation—proof that I had earned my place.

?? A bad day: Opening my inbox to a storming email to my name and cc’d across management, blaming my region for issues beyond my control.

?? Lesson learned? Resilience isn’t just about working hard—it’s about knowing when to push and when to be patient.

A Detour That Tested Me: The Role That Never Happened

Ambition led me to apply for a sales role within Oracle, and after a smooth interview process, I got the job. But months of negotiations later, the move didn't go through.

For 1.5 years, I lived in limbo. I had already resigned from my previous role, my replacement had been hired, and I had handed over my responsibilities. But with no new position to transition into, I found myself in an uncomfortable in-between—detached from my old work but not integrated into a new one. I had to create my own opportunities, reaching out to corporate teams for projects, mentoring my successor, and waiting.

It was frustrating. It felt like lost time. But looking back, it was a lesson in adaptability, patience, and making the best out of a situation beyond my control.

Thrown Into the Deep End: Becoming a Lead Business Finance Partner

When I finally transitioned into the Business Finance Partner role, I had expected a structured handover. Instead, just as I started, the world shut down. The pandemic hit, and suddenly, there was almost no transition at all.

Working remotely meant there was no one to turn to when I had questions. No casual desk-side conversations. No guidance on daily tasks. Just me, alone with my laptop, trying to figure things out. However, I came to realize that this was simply the nature of my new role. Over time, I adapted, developed a proactive approach, and learned to navigate the challenges independently, ultimately growing more confident in my abilities.

? What I loved: A newfound work-life balance. No month-end closings and no audit deadlines creeping into my weekends :) I had time for myself in a way I never had before.

? The challenge: I struggled to find my place. Without face-to-face interactions, trust-building became a mountain to climb. At times, I felt like an outsider in my own organization.

?? A key win: Despite the challenges, I built financial reports that streamlined analysis, making life easier for teams who relied on those insights.

?? A super good day: Running a forecast call where everything clicked—when the numbers made sense, the discussion flowed, and I saw confidence towards me with the team. Those moments reminded me why I do what I do.

?? A bad day: Pouring hours into a report, only to have it nitpicked, while inconsistencies in other reports went unnoticed. Being unable to communicate to key stakeholders directly for so long, always having to go through another step, made it harder to build trust and carve out my own space.

?? Lesson learned? Being vocal, building strong relationships, and sometimes challenging the system are key to finding your place.

Reflections on Growth and Change

Every career move teaches you something—but sometimes, the biggest lessons come from the moments of uncertainty, frustration, and waiting.

?? Expectation vs. Reality: I thought that moving into a Business Finance Partner role would bring me more exposure and influence. Instead, it taught me that success isn’t just about knowledge and hard work; it’s about trust, relationships, and visibility.

?? Biggest takeaway: The greatest realization? A career should inspire, not consume. Work is important, but so is living. The moments of struggle, success, and transition have all taught me that balance, purpose, and resilience define true professional fulfillment.

The Next Chapter: Stepping into Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

Now, I’ve embarked on a new challenge as a Principal FP&A Analyst. I don’t know yet if this will be the defining role of my career, but what I do know is this: every experience—good or bad—shapes the next step.

It’s a journey, and I’m ready for what’s next. Thank you to Misty W. and @stevepollard for believing in me and selecting me for this exciting work.

Advice for Anyone Navigating Their Own Career Journey

?? Financial Controllers: Be proactive, be agile, but don’t burn yourself out. Work at the team’s pace, stay adaptable, and build strong relationships—they will be your greatest asset.

?? Business Finance Partners: Be yourself, speak up, build trust, and don’t be afraid to challenge the norm. Sometimes, pushing boundaries leads to better solutions.

?? For everyone: Work is a part of life, but it shouldn’t be your whole life. Find a balance that allows you to grow—professionally and personally.

Finally, I would like to thank my managers throughout the years who supported and helped me to grow: Lorenzo Pardo , @MichaelMichael @MarkNolan Billy Mulcahy , Paul Doyle , Iain Mathews , ?zkan Tezdiker Emre Kural , @AlexanderVigne.

I hope that our roads will cross again in the future.

Would love to hear from others—how have your roles shaped your professional mindset? ??

P.S. A big Thanks to ChatGpt to help me to write this article.