Voice of Experience: Sandra Aresti, Partner, PwC

The Glass Hammer is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by featuring profiles of Hispanic Women Business Leaders all week long!

Sandra Aresti, PwC partner, advises young professionals to enjoy the moment because time goes by so fast. “Don’t get caught up in the minute details,” she said. “Work hard, but also take the time to breathe, relax, and trust that your career is about the journey and not the destination.”

Career at PwC

“Despite an early interest in medicine, I knew in college that I wanted to pursue a career related to finance,” said Aresti.

Aresti was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where she spent the first part of her life before coming to the mainland United States to attend Georgetown University. Although Aresti interviewed with many professional services firms, she also participated in externships with private companies and weighed offers from both the public and private sectors. “One of those companies was PwC,” she recalled, “and I instantly connected with the people there, which definitely influenced my decision.”

Aresti joined PwC after graduating from college and has been in the Assurance practice for almost 23 years. When she started at the firm, she had a broad focus, but now Aresti works primarily in the Health Services practice, serving clients in the health care, non-profit and higher education sectors.

According to Aresti, being admitted to the partnership at PwC was a huge milestone in her career, and one that she accomplished by creating her own professional path. “I came to a new city alone. From a professional perspective, I really started out from nothing – just my education and drive. I worked hard, developed important connections, and established meaningful networks throughout my entire career,” Aresti stated.

In her current role within the Assurance practice, Aresti enjoys forming new client relationships and getting to know new individuals in the C-Suite and at the board level. Along with new clients, Aresti explained, comes new teams under her management. Doing work each day that provides her clients with valuable insight into their business is something that keeps Aresti engaged in her work.

“It is fantastic to see the positive impact of our work,” she explained. “It affirms that what we do actually matters, and this is an extremely gratifying feeling.”

Recently, Aresti has spent a lot of time working with clients affected by healthcare reform and the new regulations associated with the healthcare system’s overhaul. This is a perfect example, said Aresti, of the impact her work with clients has on their businesses, and as a result, the larger public.

Advancing Women in Business

There have been significant positive changes in the tone and culture of traditionally male-dominated industries, said Aresti, but there needs to be a continued focus on increasing diversity at all career levels. “For women, it is important to have good coaching, a strong support system, and mentors,” she added, “but for these efforts to be truly effective, we need to take it to the next level, including sponsorship.”

Aresti, whose own career was elevated to a new level when a sponsor recommended her for a board training program that opened doors to new opportunities, noted that sponsors are critical in creating opportunities, helping people navigate challenges in their careers and overcome obstacles in their career development. “For me, it is so rewarding to witness someone you have coached or mentored succeeding and achieving their own professional milestones. I feel like a proud parent,” Aresti added.

Although sponsorships are a key factor in career advancement, Aresti also emphasized that it is important to step up to the plate and display your knowledge and skills when given the opportunity to do so. “When someone recommends you for a job, you need to bring your A game,” she said. “Demonstrate your abilities and be ready to deliver.”

“View these career changing moments as an opportunity to set yourself apart and let your skills shine,” she advised. “Your success will have a ripple effect that will inspire future generations rising up the ranks behind you.”

Reaching Out and Reaching Back

In addition to her active role in campus and experienced recruiting for PwC, Aresti is involved with several women’s networking circles within the firm. “The Latino Circle interfaces a lot with ALPFA, the largest organization for Latino professionals, of which PwC is a sponsor,” Aresti noted. She has served on the national board for ALPFA and is currently active within her local chapter.

“These groups and others like them give women and diverse individuals the opportunity to have meaningful one-on-one interactions with other individuals in the organization in addition to providing a platform for outside speakers to come in and discuss important issues in the workplace,” she added.

According to Aresti, PwC’s commitment to its people is one of the reasons she has been able to sustain such a long and rewarding career at the company. “At all levels, there is recognition that work-life balance is important,” said Aresti, who is currently taking advantage of the company’s commitment to flexibility following the birth of her first child.

“PwC’s investment in technology to promote telecommuting and the support they provide show that they value their people, and this is the type of effort that will contribute to the increased retention of women,” she explained.

Outside the Office

Aresti values the time that she gets to spend with her family when she is not in the office. She is also an avid traveler, with Puerto Rico being her most frequent destination. “I try to travel somewhere new every year,” said Aresti, who is looking forward to sharing future adventures with her child.

By Michelle Hendelman