From Corporate Finances to Coaching | Journey of CA Sangeeta Shankaran Sumesh

From CFO to coach: The inspiring path of CA Sangeeta Shankaran Sumesh

CA Sangeeta Shankaran Sumesh stands out as more than just a chartered accountant. She is a bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and credentialed coach, with a career story filled with resilience, ambition, and transformation. Her journey from financial hardship to CFO, and then to a full-time business coach, offers lessons for anyone seeking growth both in work and life.

Early life: Finding motivation in challenge

Sangeeta Shankaran Sumesh grew up in a household that faced financial setbacks after her grandfather’s sudden passing. “We didn’t even have a TV or fridge at home,” she recalled, highlighting how this shaped her drive to secure a better future. As an only child, her parents’ support played a key role in building her confidence and ambition.

Choosing commerce and a career in finance

When it came time to choose a field after high school, Sumesh picked commerce without hesitation. Science was off the table—physics, especially, held no appeal. She juggled both graduation studies and ICWA to keep her career options open. Though she briefly considered MBA programs, she chose CA to stay near family, guided by a clear sense of priorities.

Early career: Gaining experience across industries

Sumesh began her professional life in the internal audit division at ALDO. Looking to expand her expertise, she moved to Tata as a Distributor Management Advisor, where she mixed finance with real business advice. Marriage took her to Botswana, where she worked in the entrepreneurial advisory division at PwC, guiding a range of clients from various industries.

Growing into leadership roles

Her return to India was marked by ambition and family-centered choices. After eight rounds of interviews, she landed her dream job at a large multinational company, but passed up international assignments to stay with her young children. She joined Talis, a French multinational, as Head of Finance, then moved to Dun & Bradstreet as CFO and later Executive Director. She also served as an independent director on multiple boards.

Throughout, she mastered the art of balancing ambitious goals with the needs of her family and teams.

Becoming an author and coach

An unexpected foray into writing led to her first fiction book, “A Glance of the Unknown,” which won recognition. This success—and encouragement from peers—pushed her to write “What the Finance,” which simplified complex financial topics for business owners. She became passionate about breaking finance down into practical solutions rather than complicated theory.

Coaching entered her life by chance while she was promoting her book. She learned about professional coaching, became certified, and found it deeply rewarding. She realized her next chapter would be about helping others achieve greater potential.

Blending finance, leadership, and coaching

Sumesh’s unique offer comes from combining her business, finance, and coaching expertise. She focuses on guiding corporate leaders to think deeper, reflect on their patterns, and build action plans for growth. Her real-world CFO background allows her to relate to high-level clients and ask direct questions that spark genuine change.

Lessons from coaching executives

Many top leaders, even at the CFO level, struggle with self-doubt or communication. Sumesh’s coaching sessions often spark “aha” moments, helping senior professionals realize and overcome their negative self-talk. One client recognized how much internal doubts held him back, leading to expanded business involvement. These transformative moments ripple out, benefiting clients and their organizations.

People at the heart of finance

“Behind every number is a person,” Sumesh said. Her biggest lesson? Finance ties directly to people—their skills, perspectives, and challenges. Coaching not only improves financial results, but also builds soft skills like team management, communication, and conflict resolution.

Key skills leaders need beyond finance

Through her work, she sees common skill gaps repeat:

• Time management
• Team leadership
• Conflict management
• Delegation
• Clear communication

Developing these skills is what sets senior leaders apart and allows them to succeed beyond technical know-how.

Managing relationships and stakeholders

Handled wisely, relationships with bosses and peers can drive or block career progress. Sumesh learned from observing mentors who voiced their opinions effectively without ever being rude or confrontational. Stakeholder management, she believes, is as essential as technical proficiency.

Branding as the “Gain Enabler”

Sumesh chose the brand “Gain Enabler” to reflect her mission. She enables clients—individuals and businesses—to grow, whether in profits, self-confidence, or effectiveness, by drawing on her experience across finance, leadership, and coaching.

Books and workshops

She’s authored four books:

• “A Glance of the Unknown” - Spiritual thriller fiction
• “What the Finance” - Clear, practical finance tips
• “Get High” - Templates and tools for high work performance
• “Where’s the Moola?” - Financial growth hacking for businesses

Many workshops for companies are themed on these books and focus on making finance and self-improvement accessible.

The future: Technology in finance

Sumesh sees technology as the driving force in finance, mentioning fintech, cybersecurity, AI, and robotics. She believes financial professionals must harness these trends while keeping data secure and adapting to ongoing innovation.

Wellness and work-life balance

Daily yoga and meditation under the Art of Living framework help Sumesh stay grounded. These simple routines have been her anchor, supporting both her personal and professional life through every twist and turn.

Conclusion

CA Sangeeta Shankaran Sumesh’s story proves that embracing change—whether it’s moving overseas, changing careers, or learning new skills—can lead to both personal and professional fulfillment. Her path shows that growth comes not from numbers alone, but from understanding, supporting, and empowering people at every step. Her journey inspires professionals in finance, leadership, and beyond to pursue learning, seek balance, and always look for ways to give back