Speaker Highlight - Christelle Ramen

We had a conversation with our returning speaker Christelle RAMEN , CFO North America at Club Med ahead of her appearance at World Finance Forum Miami on April 25.

'Finance isn't just about counting dollars; it's about enabling (action), and making sure everything runs smoothly.' - Christelle Ramen

Tell us a bit about yourself, and how you found yourself where you are today

My journey with Club Med started 23 years ago, immediately following the completion of my studies in France. After a year spent undertaking internships and academic pursuits in South Africa, my appetite for international exposure led me to assume the role of Finance Manager at Club Med Resorts, with Mauritius as a first destination.

Initially, my intention was to garner a few years of professional experience before exploring more conventional career paths. However, my trajectory took an unexpected turn.

I became deeply aligned with Club Med values and culture, finding resonance with my personal values and professional aspirations. Progressing through various roles within the organization, I evolved from a Business Controller position to overseeing an entire division comprising 20 resorts. This journey culminated in assuming responsibility for accounting and business control operations across Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian Ocean. For the past four years, I have been situated in Miami, as the Chief Financial Officer for North America.

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in finance over the past decade?

I'm realizing that storytelling is becoming increasingly important in finance. It's not just about crunching numbers and showing financial data anymore. Storytelling actually helps us get everyone on board and motivated to reach our goals, especially when those goals seem complex or disconnected from our daily tasks. It's a great way to inspire action, especially in teams like Sales and Operations who turn big plans into actual results.

Looking ahead, I think the next big thing on the horizon is AI in the workplace

- especially in areas like Accounting and Business Controlling. It's already starting to change how we do things, and I believe it's going to shake up the finance world even more in the future.

What are you doing to attract and retain talent in today’s unprecedented and unpredictable job market?

We've implemented a proactive strategy through the utilization of "Stay Interviews" to identify any potential concerns that may lead individuals to consider leaving our organization. This approach allows us to address any issues and ensure a positive working environment for all. Currently, we're in the process of refining our onboarding procedures and documenting our operational protocols. This initiative is geared towards facilitating a seamless integration process for new hires, ensuring they feel welcomed and supported.

Furthermore, we've implemented the concept of remote work, offering our team members the flexibility to work remotely for up to two days a week. This policy aims to enhance work-life balance and accommodate the diverse needs of our workforce. In addition, we've introduced the concept of "workcations," enabling our employees to work from our resorts while their families can enjoy quality vacation time.

Christelle will be appearing at World Finance Forum Miami on April 25 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Register now to secure your place!

Check out the event page