For Ancila Desai, music was her first calling — mastering the violin and guitar long before she ever stepped into a boardroom. But the discipline, precision, and creativity she honed as a musician proved to be the perfect foundation for a career in finance.
From retail and logistics to pharmaceuticals and now digital health, she has built an impressive track record of leading complex transformations across diverse industries.
Today, as CFO and Company Secretary of MedAdvisor, Ancila oversees finance, legal, people and culture, and compliance across Australia and the US.
In this conversation with Liam, she reflects on her journey from concert halls to the C-suite, the power of mentorship and sponsorship, and why she believes owning your narrative is the key to unlocking opportunity.
____
A journey through the corridors of success with ‘Pathways’, a series that delves deep into the career trajectories of executives, leaders and high performers within the accounting and financial services industry. Hosted by Atlas Partners, each episode invites you to explore the stories behind the triumphs and challenges faced by our guests on the journey to where they are now. From navigating the complexities of business to leading teams through turbulent times, each guest offer invaluable insights gleaned from years of experience at the forefront of their field. Through candid conversations, they share pivotal moments, lessons learned and the strategies that propelled them forward.