Meet our people: Valentina Ficaio’s Story

Meet our people: Valentina Ficaio’s Story

Valentina Ficaio was appointed Chief Financial Officer, part of the Adecco Group Executive Committee, in January 2026. Since joining the Adecco Group in 2019, she has held finance leadership roles across Iberia and a wider regional remit spanning Southern and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, before most recently serving as Group Senior Vice President of Finance. In this personal reflection for International Women’s Day, Valentina shares the experiences that shaped her leadership and the values that continue to guide her.

International Women’s Day – a personal reflection

My journey has been shaped by moments that were exciting, daunting and transformative. I have moved countries many times – from Italy to Portugal, Spain, France, back to Italy, then Spain again and more recently Switzerland.

Those experiences taught me something no leadership programme ever could: adaptability is a strength. Living and working across cultures shaped me as a person and a leader. It taught me humility, the discipline to listen and how to see situations through different lenses.

A defining moment

One of the most important decisions of my career came when I was 25. I left a large multinational for a much smaller company.

On paper, it made little sense. But a leader I trusted offered me something different: broader exposure, more responsibility, and a steeper learning curve.

I said yes – and that decision shaped everything that followed.

Sometimes, you have to be willing to step into roles that feel uncertain and trust the people who see your potential before you fully see it yourself.

The power of sponsorship

I would not be where I am today without people who believed in me.

One of those people was Coram Williams, our previous CFO, who encouraged me to take on a role in Group Controllership, FP&A and Finance Strategy, which later expanded further. I was not sure at first, but that opportunity changed my path.

It is why I believe so strongly in sponsorship, not just mentorship. Advice matters, but real impact comes when someone puts their reputation on the line and opens a door.

Because others did that for me, I feel a responsibility to do the same for others.

Opening doors

International Women’s Day is often framed as celebration. For me, it is also about responsibility.

What makes me most proud is not only business performance, but people – especially supporting internal talent and seeing individuals step into roles they may once have doubted were within reach.

As CFO, I am very aware that careers can be shaped by quiet decisions, and that potential can still too easily be overlooked. Progress is real, but barriers remain.

Opening doors is not symbolic. It is practical. It is saying: I see you. I trust you. You can do this.

That, to me, is leadership.

*All initiatives and programs mentioned herein are subject to local law and may not be available in all locations.