Season 4 Episode 19: Beyond the Comfort Zone | Building a Career in Finance

Your career doesn’t have to follow a straight line to be successful.

In this episode of Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Elaine Vasquez, Finance Director, MENA at Checkout.com, to discuss what can happen when you stay open to opportunities, embrace change and step outside your comfort zone.

Elaine is an ACCA Fellow with almost 20 years of experience in finance. After graduating from Warwick University with a degree in Accounting & Finance, she began her career at Deloitte before going on to build an international career spanning Financial Services, Hospitality, Insurance and Fintech across London, Gibraltar and the UAE.

But Elaine’s career hasn’t always followed the traditional finance route.

From moving between industries to taking on commercial and operational responsibilities, including a role as Head of Claims in Insurance, Elaine has consistently embraced opportunities that have taken her beyond the boundaries of a typical finance career.

And each experience has shaped the finance leader she is today.

This conversation explores what it takes to build a career without being restricted by one industry, one location or one idea of what your next role should look like.

What you will hear in this episode:

📌 How taking opportunities beyond finance can shape your leadership journey

📌 Why changing industries doesn’t have to mean starting again

📌 The personal and professional impact of working internationally

📌 How to create opportunities for yourself rather than waiting for them

📌 The role resilience has played throughout Elaine’s career

📌 Why stepping outside your comfort zone can accelerate your development

📌 Advice for professionals who feel stuck or hesitant about their next move

📌 Elaine’s perspective on success, leadership and the advice she hopes people remember

This episode is proudly supported by Alaan, the Middle East’s leading corporate card and expense management platform.

Alaan helps companies eliminate petty cash, reimbursements, and manual reconciliations by automating expense tracking, approvals, and accounting, giving finance teams greater control and visibility without the manual work.

A big thank you to Alaan for supporting this season and helping us bring these conversations to life.

Whether you’re considering a new industry, an international move, a role outside your usual remit, or simply wondering what the next stage of your career could look like, this episode is a reminder that some of the best opportunities can come from being willing to take a different path.

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