In today's People Behind the Brand, the series where you get to know the Orbis team, we sat down with Gintare Stasiunaityte, Finance Director.
We chatted all about her recent promotion to director, the importance of having a mentor, being a woman in leadership and teleportation!
Let’s jump in.
You’ve had an exciting journey throughout your career, going from Office Management to Head of Finance. Tell us a bit more about this and how it has moulded you into the person you are today.
I always wanted to get into Finance and the Office Manager / Operation Management role that I had was a bit different from the standard role, as it involved budget management, payroll process and looking for ways to reduce cost and work closely with the company’s accountants.
I think having experience working in Ops alongside the Finance part of the role helped a lot during my career growth as it gave me a better understanding of various stakeholder management and their points of view.
Congratulations on your promotion to Director! When you began your career a few years back, did you ever imagine that you would have a leadership role in this profession?
Thank you!
From the start of my career, I had big ambitions for my career. I didn't know exactly what it would look like but I knew that I wanted to have a successful career and help businesses navigate and achieve their goals.
Who or what inspired you to be a leader and why?
During my career, I have worked with a few very inspirational leaders who always lead with purpose and create positive change. I think their guidance and approachability inspired me to be a leader and always aim to be better.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced as a woman in leadership?
In the Finance world, there are definitely fewer females in leadership roles. Perhaps unconscious bias is one of the challenges that I had to face earlier in my career.
How do you balance career, personal life and passions? Is there such a thing as balance?
I think it’s a work in progress 🙂
My career is my passion so this kind of ticks the box, but I am trying to ensure that I set time aside for family and outdoor activities.
How important is it to have a mentor?
Very important.
I don't think it has to be one person but it is important to build your network of people who you look up to in your career. It has helped to navigate my career, some of the challenges and to get a different perspective.
How would you suggest going about getting a mentor?
It depends on the industry your role is in but in my experience, I have joined FD chats and took the initiative to ask questions and approach people who I feel share my point of view and have inspirational careers.
What advice would you give your 25-year-old self?
Stress less… it all comes around eventually.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation!
On many occasions, I need to be at a few places at the same time especially being a mum - it would help a lot instead of me running around.
