Speaker highlight: Elisa Delgado

It's hard to believe that we're only 2 weeks away from our first ever edition of World Finance Forum Madrid! ????

Joining us on an expert panel about empowered leadership is Elisa Delgado , Chief Financial and Operations Officer for cosmetics company Yanbal . In this in-depth interview, Elisa shares her perspective on how finance has evolved over the years and emphasises the importance of guiding diverse teams through change with empathy and leadership.

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you’ve ended up where you are today.

In 2005, after finishing my degree, I moved to Madrid to join Deloitte. From the moment I started studying, I knew I wanted to begin my career at a Big 4 firm and spend my first few years there. Despite the long hours and tight deadlines, I still believe it was a tremendous booster for my professional growth. It felt like a paid master's program that not only gave me a solid foundation in technical knowledge but also helped me develop skills that have been invaluable throughout my career.

When it was time to move to the client side, I started in Accounting, but I was already deeply drawn to Finance Leadership. I focused my education in that direction, completing an Executive Master’s in Corporate Finance at ESADE. From that point on, with the support of the companies I’ve worked for and great mentors along the way, I took on various roles within finance, eventually leading to my current position as CFO and Director of Operations for Yanbal in Europe.

What’s the biggest challenge finance leaders are facing today?

One of the main challenges finance leaders face today is the rapid pace of technological advancements and how these are completely transforming the way financial departments operate, as well as the skills required.

Automation and artificial intelligence are tools that have undoubtedly come to stay, but the real challenge for finance leaders is getting their teams to see it that way as well. This involves helping them adapt to these changes, reinvent themselves, and ensure they continue to add value to the company.

The challenge is even greater since today’s finance departments consist of multiple generations, each with different goals and interests. Therefore, this transformation process cannot be achieved without empathetic leadership. Finance leaders must guide their teams not only in technical terms but also with a human understanding, supporting each member in their professional and emotional development during this period of change.

"The finance leader must create an environment where individuals feel they have the space to learn, experiment, and evolve, allowing the team to embrace technology as a tool that complements their value rather than replaces it."

Furthermore, all of this must be done while we continue to ensure the finance department's position as a strategic partner and business partner for the commercial areas.

How are you developing yourself as a leader, and how important do you think it is to spend time doing that?

Listening, observing, and unlearning to relearn are crucial aspects of my leadership development. It's important to work on understanding your biases and to maintain an open mind and flexibility to adapt to changes, situations, and people. This approach not only helps me identify my areas for improvement but also allows me to recognise what I need to strengthen in order to be the leader my company and team require at any given moment.

Moreover, I believe that continuous self-reflection is vital in this process. Taking the time to assess my experiences and decisions helps me learn from both successes and failures. I actively seek feedback from my team and peers, as this provides valuable insights into my leadership style and effectiveness.

Additionally, investing time in professional development, such as attending workshops and pursuing courses, is essential to keep my skills relevant in today's fast-changing environment. I also prioritise networking with other leaders to exchange ideas and best practices, which enriches my perspective and enhances my ability to lead with empathy and strategic vision.

"Ultimately, dedicating time to my growth as a leader is not just beneficial for my personal development; it directly impacts my team's performance and the overall success of the organisation."

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

"The change over the past decade has been profound. Until recently, we were part of the company but not an active part of the business. We provided the necessary information for decision-making but weren’t involved in the process itself. "

The current BANI and competitive environment, along with the need for companies to adapt quickly to maintain their competitiveness, has pulled finance out of obscurity and transformed us into strategic partners for other areas. This shift has compelled us to develop new skills that weren’t required of finance leaders ten years ago, complementing the technical skills we already had: the ability to influence, openness, adaptability to change, storytelling, and strategic vision.

If you liked Elisa's insights in this interview, you'll love the panel she'll be speaking on at World Finance Forum Madrid alongside other leading Finance experts.

Make sure to register for your pass today while availability still remains! ??https://events.futureforums.com/world-finance-forum-madrid#/tickets?lang=en