After 20 years in more traditional finance positions, I find my current role in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) incredibly rewarding. In addition to building key relationships within Cisco, the role affords me the privilege of collaborating with other Fortune 100 companies who are tackling the same new reporting requirements as Cisco. My external peer network has been instrumental in helping me to define boundaries, interpret regulation nuances and embed best practices within our company. This has been a phenomenal journey and I have developed close working relationships worldwide.
Cisco Systems operates in over 115 countries and employs more than 90,000 people. We specialise in networking, AI, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, collaboration tools and cloud solutions. The Dublin office serves as a key hub for EMEA operations. The most exciting part of this role so far, without doubt, is guiding strategy, influencing new outcomes and building our team from scratch. I enjoy the autonomy of innovating and creating new norms, while driving change across the organisation.
The biggest challenge has been keeping on top of the dynamic regulatory environment
Along with my team, I am responsible for ensuring Cisco’s readiness to comply with the various ESG regulations across the globe. These include the European Corporate Reporting Sustainability Directive (CSRD), the International Sustainability Standards Board and various US state bills, including the California climate bills. In addition, I provide overall finance support to our Chief Sustainability Office, which includes advising on investments in renewable energy and supporting our transition plan underpinning our public goals. Even more broadly, I work across our entire organisation to align on strategy and streamline efficiencies across processes and related non-financial data.
As a finance person in this area, I have learnt so much about climate scenarios, the importance of energy efficiency, artificial intelligence, innovative thinking, and the importance of people and our impact on the communities in which we work. By far the biggest challenge has been keeping on top of the dynamic regulatory environment – from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) climate rule that is now paused to the EU omnibus proposal, which is proposing a two-year delay to the effective date for EU CSRD reporting. This has meant that my team’s priorities and ultimate objectives continually change and we have had to pivot and re-scope our work on several occasions. This work is not for the fainthearted and agility is key to our continuing success.
Be ready for change and in order to communicate with impact, say less
Being an FCCA has served me so well throughout my career because of the global and translatable nature of the qualification. Now being part of ACCA Ireland’s Large Enterprises Panel, I have the opportunity to be an advocate for ACCA and to share the benefit of being affiliated with one of the most recognisable accountancy organisations in the world. Before joining the panel, my personal network was largely with US-based companies. ACCA has enabled me to grow my network within Ireland, which I love, and has opened up a range of new opportunities.
Away from work, my first priority is always spending time with my husband and four children (aged from 19 down to 11). I enjoy cooking long, lazy lunches for friends and extended family. I spend a lot of my free time making endless lists in an effort to keep all the balls in the air. Of course, I like to travel when possible and I try to squeeze in a visit to the gym a couple of times a week.
I once heard that ‘a great career is usually built on a series of uncomfortable decisions’. I would add that that includes, inspiring people who are smarter than you, while asking for what you want. I have found that it is always a good idea to find a sponsor whose endorsement of you may mean more than anything you can say about yourself. Finally, as I progress in my career, my daily mantra has become: ‘Be ready for change and in order to communicate with impact, say less.’
