Career path of a Director of Strategic Finance at Tala
Zu's career path, starting with a dual degree in financial economics and human biology, unexpectedly led from a risk management rotation program and MBA at BMO Capital Markets to investment banking, then a surprising pivot to tech at Uber in 2016, leveraging their "four years of finance and banking" experience. This ultimately led to a strategic finance role at a startup, culminating in their current position as Director of Strategic Finance at Tala after a successful business sale.
Career Development, Finance, Investment Banking, Strategic Finance, Tech Transition
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Zu Daya
Director of Strategic Finance
Tala
University of Toronto
MBA, University of Toronto
Biology & Related Sciences, Economics
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Finance
International Student, Honors Student, Immigrant, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Zu's career path demonstrates the value of a diverse academic background. Initially intending to pursue dentistry, Zu's pivot to finance showcases adaptability and a practical approach to career choices.
2. Her experience at various companies, including BMO Capital Markets, Uber, and a smaller startup (LM.ai), highlights the transferable skills gained in finance and banking, which are applicable to a broad range of industries, including tech.
3. Zu's career progression from investment banking to tech and finally to a Director of Strategic Finance role at Tala showcases a strategic career trajectory, leveraging experiences from each role to advance to positions of increasing responsibility and impact. This demonstrates the value of seeking out opportunities that provide new challenges and growth potential.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college and any internships or jobs you had before your current role?
For sure. I went to university in Toronto, specifically the University of Toronto. I studied financial economics and human biology.
I initially wanted to be a dentist in undergrad, but I quickly realized I didn't want to pursue further schooling. I also figured I could make the same or more in finance. So, I pursued finance and economics alongside human biology.
After that, I did a rotation program in BMO Capital Markets in risk management. Then I completed my MBA. So, I spent two years in risk management before my MBA.
During my MBA, I had an internship in investment banking and then accepted a full-time offer there. I was at BMO Capital Markets, focusing on metals and mining for about two years.
Then, I broke into tech in 2016. My first role in the tech world was at Uber, on the strategy and operations team. I leveraged a lot of what I learned in my four years of finance and banking.
Uber was looking for someone with finance and banking experience, and I remember being confused, thinking, "Why does Uber want a finance person? I'm not an engineer."
After a few years there, I joined a small startup called LM AI, which was Series B. There, I began doing more traditional strategic finance and corporate development work. I helped them raise a large Series B round and went through a couple of rounds of investor funding.
We eventually sold the business. In that transition, I moved to LA for my current role as a director of strategic finance. I've been at Tele for four years, handling all matters related to strategic finance. That's where I am now.