Dates: 1995-2000, 2002-2004
The Story
Throughout my career at EY, I developed and mastered a unique combination of financial skill sets that have helped me profusely in my career. After four successful years in the Assurance and Audit practice in Washington, D.C., I took the risk and followed my passion for international business. All EY foreign exchange programs were on hold so I ventured to Spain on vacation, borrowed a suit from my previous exchange host-mom in Seville, knocked on EY’s door, introduced myself and asked boldly to speak to the Managing Director. After being shocked at the proactiveness, he and I had an engaging conversation and he offered me a job as a local in Spain. This was very uncommon for a young woman at the time, let alone a foreigner!
For over a year I managed audits for several US and International clients, including McDonalds, American Express and Warner Music. After one year, I was promoted to join the Corporate Finance practice in Madrid, a distinct transition and milestone that would pivot my career toward global Mergers & Acquisitions. In this role I helped lead successful capital acquisitions and valuations for a variety of international companies and private equity firms.
The Impact
After progressive promotions and leadership in Spain and Europe, including managing international teams and projects in Spanish, I was asked to return to EY and form part of the Transaction Advisory Services team for Latin America. The risk I took in going to Spain and learning new skill sets had paid off! I spent the next two years leading and delivering multiple M&A and private equity transactions throughout Latin America, including complex deals in Mexico, Chile and Nicaragua. While I was a trailblazer on the road almost full-time, I followed my passion for anything international and took every risk I could to learn and assimilate knowledge, culture and language.