Alumni Interview – Elsa Gonse
“Primexis offres an ideal environment
for training and learning”
In this exclusive interview, Elsa Gonse, Group CFO at EDF Renouvelables, shares her experience at Primexis. She talks about the key moments in her career, the challenges she successfully overcame, and the valuable lessons she learned. In addition, she offers sound advice to new members of the Primexis team, highlighting the importance of curiosity and proactive commitment to success in their professional careers.
What experience at Primexis had a major impact on your professional career?
Being transferred to the consolidation team at Primexis marked a turning point in my career. Consolidation was relatively new in the market at the time, and the firm’s team had recently been created.
The atmosphere was dynamic and highly collaborative. Joining this team was an adventure itself. There was everything to discover, learn, and build. Everything that I love. Every employee had a role to play in the successful development of this activity. After 8 years with the firm, I capitalized on this experience to join a group in full expansion, and above all, in full construction.
Primexis offers an ideal environment for training and learning. Everyone can develop their skills and experience there. You have to make the most of it and be curious and committed.
Elsa Gonse
Group CFO – EDF Renouvelables
Which aspects of Primexis’ culture contributed the most to your career development?
Team spirit, which was anchored in Primexis’ culture, is the first value that I took with me. It enabled me to rise to challenges during my assignments with clients and at the firm. It guarantees the success of any company, especially in the financial sector.
Jobs in finance are demanding and subject to many tight deadlines. Team cohesion offers greater efficiency and flexibility to meet these deadlines while ensuring quality work. Team spirit is stimulating. It fosters constructive discussions, promotes learning, and contributes to building a good working environment. This is a plus for clients. Because behind every employee on assignment is support from his or her colleagues.
Can you talk about a challenge you overcame while at Primexis? How did it strengthen your professional skills?
My biggest challenge was my first assignment with the consolidation department. I was at the client’s location by myself. All I knew about consolidation was what I had learned in school, years before. In other words, not much. I didn’t know the tools or process management.
I found myself in the middle of a pool without knowing how to swim. My manager, and lifeguard, came to see me twice a week to guide me. I have never learned as much as I did during this assignment, in particular, autonomy and the importance of sharing updates with your manager for effective communication. I also developed my ability to adapt and manage difficulties.
Despite the stress and investment required to accomplish this assignment, I have fond memories of it because it was rewarding and helped me become aware of my abilities.
What is your advice for new recruits at Primexis?
The firm offers an ideal environment for training and learning. Everyone can develop their skills and experience. You have to make the most of it and be curious and committed. My advice is to be fearless and dare to try new things.
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Elsa Gonse’s valuable advice is a source of inspiration for those who want to succeed in the financial sector.
