- Senior Director, Financial Reporting
Company: Ciena Corporation
Length of time you’ve been a FEI member: 2 years
Q: Tell us a little bit about your career, educational/professional background and how you got to where you are today.
A: I attended the University of Maryland Baltimore County and earned a B.A. in Economics with a minor in Accounting and Finance. I passed the CPA exam shortly after graduation. Most of my 25+ years of experience has been with Ciena Corporation, where I have held a few positions in accounting working up to where I am today as Senior Director.
Q: What is one piece of information you wish someone had told you when you first started your finance career?
Work for a Big 4 accounting firm for at least a couple of years. That would have been a fantastic way to learn and experience many different accounting topics.
Q: What do you love most about working as a financial executive?
My role makes a difference, and the information we provide is relied upon in making company decisions. I also enjoy mentoring my staff and seeing them move up in their careers.
Q: Do you think it takes a certain kind of personality to thrive in finance? What traits are most important?
The Type A personality works best in finance - someone who is attuned to details and balanced with looking at the bigger picture. And someone asks the right questions and visualizes “outside the box.”
Q: What is your best networking tip?
Accept as many social invites as possible, you never know who you will meet! Also, use the video on Zoom meetings so people can see you!