Building Stability in Volatile Times

Claudia Salum has served as Chief Financial Officer for Avenga’s LATAM region since 2022, leading financial operations in a highly dynamic and macroeconomically volatile environment. Her role focuses on strategic financial planning, risk management, and supporting the long‑term growth of this technology‑driven and innovative company across the region.

Claudia’s career spans a wide range of international and regional financial roles. Before joining Avenga, she worked as a Finance Manager at the Stoller Group and spent a significant part of her professional journey at Apex America, where she contributed to strategic planning and business development as well as day‑to‑day financial management. Earlier in her career, she gained experience at Tubos Trans Electric and began her professional path in financial reporting at CLARO, before moving on to Deloitte Argentina as a Senior Auditor.

In this interview, Claudia reflects on what it means to lead finance in an environment where change is a constant. She shares her perspective on navigating uncertainty, maintaining long‑term direction amid short‑term volatility, and why finance, in her view, is not solely about controlling numbers, but about building a stable foundation that enables companies to grow, innovate, and remain resilient in challenging market conditions.

What first drew you to finance?

I have wanted to pursue finance for as long as I can remember. As an only child, I spent a lot of time playing on my own, and I imagined building a company from scratch by defining the strategy, making decisions, solving problems, and watching it grow.

Looking back, I realize that what fascinated me was not just the idea of creating something, but understanding how it could be structured, sustained, and made successful over time. That early curiosity naturally evolved into a passion for finance, because I saw it as the backbone of every meaningful business decision.

Was there a moment when you realized you wanted to move into a leadership role?

My first professional experience was at a Big Four firm, where I worked for seven years as an external auditor. That role truly shaped my character and my leadership style. I quickly learned that technical expertise was not enough. To get the information I needed, I had to build trust, understand what motivated people, and adapt my approach to each individual. That experience taught me an essential lesson. Even in finance, leadership is ultimately about people.

Which experiences shaped you the most professionally?

There were two decisive moments in my professional career.

The first came during the pandemic. At that time, I was leading a large IT team. It was the only team within a company of more than 10,000 employees that had to continue working on site, while everyone else was working remotely. In that context, I felt a strong responsibility to lead by example. I needed to show my team that I was fully capable of doing what I was asking of them. That experience reinforced my belief that credibility and leadership are built through consistency, visibility, and shared commitment.

The second decisive moment came when I joined Avenga just one week before the acquisition of a local company, representing the buyer. It was a highly challenging environment, with a deeply rooted culture and strong identity, and it was important not to lose the essence that had made the company unique in its market. That experience strengthened my ability to balance transformation with respect, driving change while preserving value.

Which skills do you consider most important?

From a technical perspective, one of the most important skills in my journey has been the ability to read the political and economic environment in order to manage cash flow in highly volatile contexts. Especially in emerging markets, anticipating scenarios and balancing risk with opportunity is critical.

At the same time, emotional intelligence and resilience have been equally important. Finance is not only about numbers. It is about leading people through uncertainty, building trust, and making sound decisions under pressure. I believe the combination of strategic awareness and human leadership has been key in my path so far.

What habits or routines help you when facing daily challenges?

I strongly believe that summits do not reward talent. They reward perseverance. To stay focused and resilient, I rely on discipline. I like to wake up early and exercise before starting my day. It helps me clear my mind, structure my thoughts, and begin the day with energy.

I also believe in always having a challenge ahead. I am preparing to cross the Andes on foot. It is a goal that requires consistent physical and mental preparation. For me, it is a reminder that meaningful results come from preparation, patience, and steady progress.

What does success mean to you?

Success, to me, means fulfilling my role with excellence while maintaining the respect of my peers and my team. It is about delivering strong results without compromising integrity, and being trusted not only for what I achieve, but for how I lead. For me, success is measured as much by performance as by the respect and credibility I build along the way.

This interview is part of Leading Finance with Courage, learn more about the series here.