My first big career break came with Malaysia Airlines, where I supported financial planning and major IT infrastructure investments. It was a fast-paced environment that taught me the importance of discipline and efficiency. From there, roles at Schlumberger and AstraZeneca gave me international exposure and eventually opened the path to my work in development with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
I’m a finance integration specialist with UNDP’s global shared services centre, ensuring financial integrity and supporting global programmes through effective payment and reporting processes. I love the sense of purpose. My work directly helps resources reach communities that need them most, whether through humanitarian aid or long-term development projects. What drew me in was the chance to apply my professional skills in a way that contributes to global good. Finance here isn’t about profit margins; it’s about accountability, transparency and making every dollar count for impact.
That sense of contributing to something bigger gives me real fulfilment
Transparency and accountability are key challenges, especially with rising expectations around sustainability and impact reporting. Donors and partners want clear evidence of how resources are used and what results are achieved. At the same time, technology is opening up exciting opportunities. Automation, digital tools and data analytics are transforming how financial information is processed and shared. Being part of that shift, making finance more efficient, transparent and trustworthy, is something that inspires me.
I’m proud of making the transition from the private sector into international development and building a career that aligns with my values. Specifically, I take pride in knowing that my role at UNDP helps ensure food, supplies and aid reach those who need them. It may not always make headlines, but the integrity of those financial processes underpins the entire operation. That sense of contributing to something bigger gives me real fulfilment.
Professionally, I want to keep contributing to organisations where finance plays a strategic role in driving social good. I’m particularly interested in the growing area of sustainability reporting and how finance can strengthen accountability in that space. Personally, I’d like to give back by mentoring young finance professionals, especially those from developing countries, so they see how their skills can be used to make a global impact.
Knowing I’m part of a profession that shares the same values has been a real anchor
ACCA has been central to my career. The qualification gave me not only technical expertise but also a global perspective and an ethical framework that’s highly relevant in development work. The network is equally powerful; it’s a worldwide community that provides insights, connections and opportunities to learn from others. Knowing I’m part of a profession that shares the same values has been a real anchor for me.
I’m a big sports fan, especially football, and I’m a lifelong Manchester United supporter, still loyal despite the struggles of the past decade. Sport has always been a way for me to relax, connect with friends and stay energised. I also enjoy travelling and exploring new cultures, which broadens my outlook and helps me appreciate the diversity of the world we live in.
If I weren’t an accountant, I’d have loved to be a pilot. Aviation has fascinated me since childhood, and one of the reasons I joined Malaysia Airlines was to be close to that world, even if I didn’t fulfil that dream. The idea of flying, connecting people and places, and seeing the world from above still inspires me; and in many ways, my career has given me a different kind of global connection.
