Interview by Taryn Andre
Earlier this month I was able to sit down with Veronica van Egmond, Chief People Officer for Finlays in the Americas. Veronica shared stories of her career journey so far, what she sees for the future of employees at Finlays, and advice she has for employees looking to grow their career.”
Her Career: Overcoming Adversity and Driving Change
Reflecting on her journey to becoming our CPO, Veronica van Egmond shares, “From an early age, I was fascinated by how people interacted, communicated, and collaborated. Understanding human behavior and relationships intrigued me.” Her passion for people led her to pursue a career in Human Resources. She adds with a touch of humor, “My first job was at Taco Bell, and yes, I still like to eat there from time to time—it brings memories.”
“Understanding the company’s goals helps me identify critical areas where people can make the most impact”
“In my role as CPO, I align HR strategies with business goals, foster a positive culture, and ensure our employees thrive,” she explains. “Understanding the company’s goals helps me identify critical areas where people can make the most impact. Throughout my career, I’ve achieved significant milestones, including collaborating with executives to create inclusive workplaces where every voice is heard.”
Despite facing challenges as a woman in leadership, she embraced opportunities to drive change and emerged stronger, with a steadfast commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. “The biggest challenge I’ve encountered in my role, especially in my leadership positions within the Food Industry, has been being the only woman at the table,” she acknowledges. “However, I learned early in my career to not ask for permission but to take initiative, be confident, and not be intimidated by my surroundings.”
The Future of People at Finlays
Looking ahead, Veronica envisions a landscape where talent management and organizational culture are paramount. “Conducting a Skill Gap analysis and upskilling our workforce are key priorities,” she remarks. “Finlays is a company that cares about our people, the environment, transparency, and fairness. We need to continue to promote our company culture to all employees and reward those who do their best to live by the culture daily.”
As with any growing company, change is inevitable, and this can lead to uncertainty for some employees. For Veronica, change is not merely a disruption, but rather an opportunity to learn new things and grow – transforming challenges into achievements. “I understand that organizational changes can be daunting for employees, especially amidst recent transitions within our company,” she adds, “However, change is inevitable, and it’s essential to embrace it as a positive force for growth and innovation. It helps us to learn new processes and systems, it changes organizational culture, and as a result, we become more agile and resilient.”
“Change is inevitable, and it’s essential to embrace it as a positive force for growth and innovation.
It helps us to learn new processes and systems, it changes organizational culture, and as a result, we become more agile and resilient”.
She emphasized that DE&I is a major 2024 initiative within Finlays. “We will start by educating the workforce on equality and inclusion, mandatory training for all management on Unconscious Bias, reviewing current policies, embedding diverse hiring in all our hiring practices and succession planning, and revamping the mentoring program”.
Advice and Guidance
Veronica’s leadership is grounded in invaluable advice she’s received and embraced from those she has worked with. “One of my best mentors told me to be my own advocate for growth and progress,” she shares. “Sharing your aspirations allows other people to advocate on your behalf. I have always known what I wanted and took the initiative towards it.”
When asked what advice she would give to professionals who are looking to grow their career, she advised, “embrace accomplishments and seek support from mentors or peers. Look at challenges as stepping stones toward growth. Embrace them, learn from setbacks, and keep moving forward on your career journey.”
