CEO Insights India

Evolving along with the ongoing industry trends, the finance sector holds ample prospects for women to excel and all they need is to seize the opportunity to prove their worth. Considered as a business partnering/co-piloting, finance work stream is expected to play a key role in the upper management team to help make decisions that will affect the company's operations, strategic planning, and competitive strength, and this is what drives Khyati Maheshwari (CFO, Wella Company) today. Raised by a strong mother who taught her that no woman should be held back from realizing her dreams just because she is a woman, Khyati is inspiring numerous young women out there to trust their talents and push their limits. Currently positioned as the CFO and Executive Director at Wella Company for India & South Asia, Khyati has managed to set up and head the Finance function, FP& A, Commercial Finance at India level, drove achievement of P&L and other business growth targets, coordinated on global and national levels with internal & external stakeholders, implemented ERP systems, leveraged technology, and financial analytics to improve business plans, developed governance and control frame work, throughout her illustrative career.

Below is an excerpt of Khyati's interview with CEO Insights.

What major challenges did you face while establishing yourself as a woman leader in the finance segment? How did you overcome them to emerge as a successful professional?
Although I was lucky to have not faced any dominant masculine culture in a company, however, as Women, we always have to prove ourselves more than our male colleagues. I was always uncomfortable at the thought of advocating my achievements in my work environment and held myself back for people to notice my achie

vements rather than me ‘bragging’ about it.

Similarly, while pursuing career goals, I had to balance a lot in my palate and I constantly kept questioning my worth and abilities. I wondered if I was doing the right thing for my family because as a woman, we have to do the ‘Lion's share of work' at home. Constant societal pressure and stigma of becoming an ‘ideal' spouse, mother, and professionally successful, abridged my time to socialize with people from the fraternity as I had to manage many hats.

Gradually, I understood that acknowledging the contribution of others is an important facet of leader ship however acknowledging my contribution is equally as important, and embracing my achievements isn't bragging. I had an honest and open discussion with my partner about the support I needed to manage the responsi bilities at home so that I could pursue my career aspirations. Also, I’ve found that changing the terminology from ‘work life balance’ to ‘work life blend’ helped me ease the juggling act of work and family time.

In Your professional journey so far, which are the milestones that bestowed you with utmost satisfaction both as an individual and as a CFO?
Over my professional journey, I have achieved several small & big milestones but I would like a particular scenario here. At Wella India, I was part of the team that played a critical role in transforming the Company and turning around the odds in favour of a more sustainable and profitable operating model. This not only derisked the company but also positively changed the outlook on how and where we want to take the Company further.

Yes, the journey was exhilarating and exhausting while executing this change (which took us 3+years)but when I see the success it has achieved I feel it was all worth it and as an individual and as a CFO I am

extremely proud of it.

Reflect on the changing roles of CFOs and how technology is intervening in finance operations?
The role of CFO has evolved as so many other areas of business have progressed to reflect the emerging technologies like big data analytics, artificial intelligence/ machine learning, ERP, and so on. The CFO's role now requires the ability to transform this data into actionable insights driving strategic planning and decision making for their organizations as a whole. CFOs are expected to be business partners and become a catalyst for, positive trans formation within their organizations.

How do you keep up to date with changes in financial sector trends to steer your organization towards the future?
Apart from following the industry experts and influencers on social media, I regularly attend conferences to develop new ideas, interact with interesting people, and grow my professional network. Networking with people maintains contacts in your industry and keeps you in touch with them. I also join online classes to enhance my learning because education always increases your value, be it directly or indirectly.

Khyati Maheshwari,CFO,Wella Company
A qualified Chartered Accountant with a career span of 14+ years, Khyati gained extensive exposure and expertise in various facets of Finance across FMCG (Mondelez, Proctor & Gamble, Coty, Wella), Pharma (Cipla) and consultancy (Deloitte & PwC) industries both in India and abroad. During her professional journey, she has been part of several challenging situation such as demergers, acquisitions, business transformation and therefore possess a remarkable financial insight along with an analytical, agile and innovative mind that is placing her at an unparalleled position in the finance world.

Hobbies: Driving, listening to music and Traveling
Favorite Cuisine: Italian and Lebanese
Favourite Book: IKIGAI
Favourite Travel Destination: Switzerland

Awards & Recognition: Coty Excellence Award in FY17 for leading successful transition Wella Heroes Award for key contributions in operating model for APAC