Larisa Šabotić
-Beauty is being the best possible version of yourself, inside and out-
Audrey Hepburn
Hello Larisa, thank you for being part of my proyect. Tell me your story. First of all, where are you from?
I was born in Yugoslavia, nowadays Montenegro.
Which is your job? Are you satisfied with it?
I work as a Senior Consultant Finance Transformation within KPMG. My main focus is ESG - Governance and I am also one of the leads on this topic. I support companies with their implementation of the CSRD-requirements on Governance and Finance related topics.
I am very satisfied with my current job and current opportunities that I get at KPMG.
As a sucessful woman, what did you do to reach your goal? Do you have more goals in life?
I started my studies on VMBO Kader level and worked myself up and currently I have two masters (Master Psychology, Master Management Science and Financial Decision Making) and studying for the Executive Master Finance and Control. I started my career as a child psychologist in a closed psychiatry and switched to Finance in consulting within KPMG. For me to realize this kind of switch, I needed to an extra master to gain the knowledge and I was not afraid to start “over again” in Finance. I started as a Consultant to learn more about Finance and Finance transformations. Nowadays I am using my previous work experience as a psychologist in my current job, and it helps me understand my clients within the financial sector better in their change management.
My goals for my career are finishing the executive master and growing within KPMG as the ESG-Governance expert. My goal is to become a partner / director within KPMG. Looking at private goals: starting a family and enjoy as much as I can with my loved ones (family and friends).
I do your nails in Rob Peetoom Zuidas, so I know that you like to take care of yourself. What else do you do to look healthy and marvelous? Do you think that it is important?
I take care of myself in different topics:
Mentally taking care by walks, taking time for myself, writing a diary and checking regularly my own thoughts.
Emotionally taking care by seeing my loved ones, checking regularly if I am happy with what I do, talking to my loved ones.
Physically taking care by sports (such as kickboxing and swimming), once per month doing my nails , every couple of months my hair, every week facial mask and enough sleep and drinking water. And most important; laughing and being content with what I have.
Financially taking care by working on my career, setting goals on savings, and investing goals.
I do believe taking care of yourself is very important. You need time to pause, to reflect and to take of your physics and your health.
In your job you are surrounded by men, how do you manage with it?
I work mostly with men due to my focus on the Financial Sector and I enjoy working in a “Men working environment”. It helped me become more competitive in what I want and be more upfront / direct in asking for promotions etc.
However, men do think you are less smart when you enter the room in heels / dress, and I used this perception in my advantage. The men that I work now with, respect me for my work and my personality.
I always try to be as much of a lady / businesswoman that I can be with how I dress, walk, talk, and act. I have learned that when you are who you are, it will always help you in the end. Next to that, most of the coaches that I had in my early career were men who supported me in realizing my switch from psychology to Finance.
Which is your best quality? and worst?
My best quality is that I am very passioned in everything that I do. And my worst quality is that I can be stubborn.
What would you say to young women that would like to be you in the future but are afraid?
Always follow your passion in work and life, no matter how scary things look like.
Anything else that you would like to say?
Start surrounding yourself with people who want you to succeed and who you want to suceed as well, but mostly be your own cheerleader in what you do.
