This week, I had the privilege of sitting down with Ania Karzynska, Fractional CFO & Founder of Fiscal Beat Consulting, as part of my 30 Conversations project—a personal research initiative exploring the intersection of finance, strategy, venture capital, commercial law, innovation, and leadership.

One of the reasons I was particularly excited for this conversation was Ania’s leadership experience in finance within the social impact and community development sector. I was curious to learn how someone could build a career in finance while staying deeply connected to their purpose and creating meaningful change.

A little about Ania

Ania has always been driven by meaningful work—but she hasn’t always found herself in environments that supported her to achieve those goals.

Her career began in environmental science, where she analyzed aquatic ecosystems and conservation initiatives to challenge management practices, public policy, and economic approaches to sustainability. Although she loved the mission, she realized she wanted a greater ability to influence organizational decisions.

That realization led her to pursue an MBA and ultimately transition into finance, where she discovered another way to create impact: helping organizations make better strategic and financial decisions.

Her journey reminded me that sometimes the biggest pivot isn’t changing your purpose—it’s changing the lens through which you pursue it.

Three ideas that challenged my thinking

💡 1. Not knowing creates the opportunity to build something new.

After completing her MBA, Ania stepped directly into a CFO role at a large non-profit focused on food security. While she had the education, she openly admitted she didn’t feel she had mastered every technical or leadership skill the position demanded.

Instead of allowing that uncertainty to hold her back, she embraced it.

Approaching the role with fresh eyes allowed her to question long-standing assumptions, rethink existing processes, and create value in ways someone with years of experience may never have considered.

Reflection: Sometimes our greatest advantage isn’t knowing all the answers—it’s having the curiosity to ask better questions.

💡 2. Build the future you want to live in.

One question continually guides Ania’s career:

“What do I want the future to look like?”

Every career decision she has made has been rooted in her values and the type of impact she wants to leave behind. Rather than chasing titles or prestige, she has consistently pursued work that contributes to a future she believes in.

It reminded me that careers are more than a collection of jobs—they’re one of the most tangible ways we shape the world around us.

Reflection: The work we choose today quietly shapes the future we’ll all live in tomorrow.

💡 3. Maybe “fake it until you make it” isn’t such bad advice.

None of us ever feel completely ready.

Whether it’s a new role, a promotion, or an unfamiliar challenge, there’s almost always a gap between where we are and where we’re expected to be.

Ania reminded me that growth happens inside that gap.

The skills we once felt we were “faking” eventually become the expertise we rely on every day. Confidence isn’t something we wait for—it’s something we build through action.

Reflection: Competence is often built one uncomfortable experience at a time.

My biggest takeaway

One idea stayed with me long after our conversation:

“You don’t need every technical skill to make an impact. Trust that your determination, character, and willingness to learn will help you figure out the rest.”

That idea challenged the way I think about opportunities.

Instead of viewing gaps in my experience as reasons to hold back, I want to see them as invitations to grow. The right opportunity won’t require me to know everything—it will require me to be willing to learn.

How I’m applying this

Because of this conversation, I’m going to:

• Think more intentionally about whether my work contributes to the future I want to help create.
• Continue defining what meaningful work looks like for me.
• Embrace situations where I don’t have all the answers and use them as opportunities to learn, innovate, and grow.

A thank you

Thank you, Ania Karzynska, for your generosity, honesty, and willingness to share your journey. Conversations like these remind me how generous people are when it comes to helping others grow.

Help me reach 30 Conversations

This is Conversation 3 of 30 (10% complete!)

My goal is to speak with professionals across:

• M&A & Commercial Law
  • Venture Capital
  • Investment Banking
  • Corporate Development
  • Corporate Strategy
  • Innovation & Entrepreneurship
  • Family Offices
  • Economic Development

If you work in one of these areas—or know someone whose perspective would add to this project—I would love an introduction.

Every conversation is helping me better understand how organizations create value through capital, strategy, governance, and innovation. I hope these reflections provide value to others exploring similar career questions.

Who do you think I should speak with next?

#30Conversations #CareerDevelopment #Leadership #CommercialLaw #MandA #VentureCapital #CorporateStrategy #Finance #Innovation #Mentorship

Three conversations down. Twenty-seven more opportunities to learn.