From Business to Finance – A Journey of Unexpected Turns

Sometimes, the best career paths are the ones we don’t plan. For Monika Stan, the UK Head of Finance at Vetoquinol, a career in finance wasn’t on the agenda. Armed with a degree in Business Administration from Poland, she took a celebratory trip to London and fell in love with the city’s diversity and energy. What was meant to be a short stay turned into a permanent move. However, with her business qualification not fully transferable, she found herself taking various jobs, including a sales role at O2, before finance even crossed her mind.

Her entry into the industry came unexpectedly. A recruitment agency offered her a data entry role, processing invoices, in a small finance team. What seemed like a temporary position became life-changing when her manager – a CIMA qualified Finance Director (female, I’ll add) – saw her potential and took her under her wing. Weekly mentoring sessions introduced her to finance fundamentals, and this mentorship was the catalyst for Monika’s career path, leading her to pursue CIMA qualifications and officially step into the finance world.

A Career Built on Determination and Bold Moves

With the win of just one exam under her belt, and recognising the limitations of working within such a small finance team, she made the bold decision to apply for a bigger role at a multinational company – and landed it (in her own words, “somehow”). The learning curve was steep, and she often felt out of her depth, but she thrived in the challenge, taking on more responsibilities and driving change.

It was in this role where Monika experienced the challenge of micromanagement and the impact that poor people skills can have on confidence and development. Seeking new experiences, she took an unconventional step from cost accounting into accounts payable management. While some saw this as a step backwards, she recognised the opportunity to develop leadership skills. Managing a team of 22, she discovered a passion for mentorship and people development, skills that would shape her future career.

Not every role was a success. There were times where Monika was faced with unsupportive environments and poor leadership, and her confidence and mental well-being suffered. It was a stark reminder that job satisfaction isn’t just about the work itself, and whilst there were people who supported her – the overall culture and leadership of a company matter. She’s made the tough but necessary decisions to move on from roles, prioritising her well-being over a toxic workplace.

The Reality of Being a Woman in Finance

Throughout her career, she has seen first-hand the challenges that women in finance face. She believes women often have to prove themselves before being truly seen, whereas men are more readily assumed to be capable. Interestingly, she found that some of the highest expectations came from female leaders – women who had fought hard to succeed in a male-dominated world and, as a result, demanded nothing less than perfection from those following in their footsteps.

Despite this, she also had male mentors and managers who championed her growth. Her experiences highlight the importance of having a strong support network – the right leaders can make or break your career confidence.

Developing Leadership Through Experience

Now leading a finance team, she applies the lessons learned from her own experiences to shape her leadership style. She prioritises listening, collaboration, and empowering her team members, ensuring that no one feels unheard or undervalued. Inspired by her current
manager, Caitrina Oakes, Country Manager at Vetoquinol UK, who embodies true leadership by being fully present and engaged, she aspires to be the kind of leader that future finance professionals remember for the right reasons.

Advice for Women in Finance: Speak Up and Take the Risk

Reflecting on her journey, she wishes she had found her voice earlier. Early in her career, she hesitated to speak up in meetings, doubting whether her opinions held value. It wasn’t until she was given a leadership role in accounts payable that she realised the importance of confidence – people listened when she spoke, and her ideas mattered.

Her biggest piece of advice? Don’t wait to be given permission to grow – ask for the opportunity. The worst that can happen is a ‘no’, but the best that can happen is a career-defining moment.

She instils this mindset in her daughter, who is pursuing a degree apprenticeship. Her message is clear: take control of your own career, ask for what you deserve, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.

Building a Network for Women in Finance

Recognising the value of mentorship, she strongly supports creating dedicated networking spaces for women in finance. While finance professionals often study in groups, that peer support can fade as careers progress. A structured network would allow women at all levels to connect, learn from each other, and gain the mentorship that is often missing in the corporate world.

Her preference? Face-to-face networking, where real conversations can happen beyond the screen. She believes in creating a space where junior and senior professionals can learn from one another, reinforcing the idea that growth never stops – even at the top.

Celebrating Success, Big and Small

For her, celebration is essential. Whether it’s a job change, passing an exam, or even her daughter receiving an assessment centre invitation, she believes in marking achievements. It’s not always about big promotions – sometimes, it’s the small wins that keep us moving forward.

Her story is one of resilience, ambition, and an unwavering belief in personal growth. It’s a reminder to all women in finance – and beyond – that success isn’t just about technical skills, but about confidence, support, and the willingness to take risks.

For those looking to carve their path in finance, her message is simple: trust in your ability, find the right mentors, and never stop pushing for more. The journey may not be straightforward, but every challenge brings an opportunity to grow.

My take-home

Speaking with Monika about her journey in Finance, I’m in awe of the luck she has had throughout her career. And I say that not in a derogatory way, but having in mind Richard Wiseman’s book, “The Luck Factor” and the notion that ‘luck’ is a lived mindset, of creating and maximising opportunity, trusting in self-ability, expecting positive results and remaining resilient to learn through experiences. Monika’s story resonates so strongly with this – believing that she could achieve more at every step, engaging with the support network she built, and nurturing not only herself, but later her teams with empowered confidence and independence. Though she faced challenges, both personally and professionally, in my eyes, Monika epitomises what it is to be a modern woman in finance - the way she recognises, but isn’t defined by the barriers that still exist, is testament to her, and the growth in this industry to be supportive, inclusive, and human, in order to achieve results.