Inside The Mentoring Round, Isabelle Winkles, CFO of Braze, reflects on her deliberate and evolving path to becoming a CFO. From her early career as an investment banker to 18 years at Morgan Stanley, Winkles emphasizes the importance of building a diverse finance toolkit through roles in corporate FP&A, treasury, and equity research. She discusses the value of taking strategic career pivots, gaining hands-on exposure, and learning from experienced mentors like Ruth Porat. Winkles advises aspiring CFOs to embrace opportunities that align with their long-term goals, approach their careers with loyalty and adaptability, and steadily build the skills needed for leadership.
