“Giving back is important to me. I believe society has contributed to shaping who I am, and I have a responsibility to contribute in return. Supporting women and children, helping others where I can, and encouraging people to recognize their own potential are things I value deeply. I am proud of the journey because it reflects what can happen when you remain committed to your work and allow yourself to grow beyond what you originally imagined possible.”
Rehana Ali, Chief Financial Officer, WELDFAB was only 8 years old when she first became familiar with business, having to wake up by 6:00am to assist in the one owned and operated by her family. She is convinced that this was the foundation which has led to her natural ability to serve people and appreciate the value of hard work “Responsibility came into my life at a very early age. My days began at 6:00 a.m. in the family business before heading to school at 8:00 a.m. When school ended at 3:00 p.m., I returned to the business by 4:00 p.m. It was certainly a demanding routine for a child, but I enjoyed it”.
Many years on from that uncharacteristic start, she looks back, realizing how much those early experiences shaped her character and equipped her for the professional journey that has been hers “They taught me responsibility, discipline, commitment and the importance of making good use of my time. These values became part of who I am and have helped me navigate the many challenges and opportunities that followed”. She also attributes her success to her Alma Mater “I attended ASJA Girls College, San Fernando and the culture in this school was essential in shaping me and contributing to my success’
Rehana’s professional development occurred alongside her career growth: first came her ACCA qualification, followed by her becoming a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and her qualification as a Chartered Accountant. This was followed by an MBA in Leadership and Innovation.
Her experience in the energy sector has spanned 20 years and she admits that it was never really her ambition to become a Chief Financial Officer. She entered Weldfab with responsibility in data entry. Her thoughts at that time were more on being a stay-at-home mother, which would have required considerable commitment. Life seemed to have a different plan for her, “My career developed in ways I had not planned. As I moved through different responsibilities, I continued learning, taking on challenges and delivering results. I was fortunate to encounter mentors who recognized my potential and contributed to my development, even though those relationships were not something I deliberately set out to find”. Rehana’s journey has reinforced that, according to her “formal education opens doors, but character, discipline, experience and the willingness to keep learning, help you make the most of opportunities.” She is a strong advocate for becoming qualified and broadening one’s perspective, but also emphasized that “I believe my performance helped build a strong level of trust with my employers. That trust, together with the opportunities I was given, allowed me to take on increasingly complex responsibilities and grow into finance leadership, corporate governance and regional roles”.
An interesting takeaway from our conversation with Rehana is advice that young, aspiring professionals will very likely relate to: “My experience has taught me that you do not always need to know exactly where your career will take you. Sometimes, the most important thing is to take the responsibility in front of you seriously, do it well, remain open to learning and be ready when the next opportunity comes.” She defined her experience as a clear demonstration that professional growth does not always follow a straight line.
While never projecting a professional life as CFO, her work extends beyond the traditional boundaries of finance. It involves supporting strategic decisions, overseeing financial performance, maintaining governance standards, working with Boards and helping businesses navigate difficult operating environments. And what have been the lessons for her? “These responsibilities have shown me that finance leadership is not only about numbers; it is also about people, risk, accountability, sound judgement and the long-term sustainability of a business”. A self-described perfectionist, Rehana believes in getting things done properly “If you are going to undertake a task, I believe you should give it your best effort and do it well the first time”. While that approach has contributed to the standards that she has set for herself, she is mindful of how much she expects of herself and others.
On a personal level, Rehana has had her encounter with difficult experiences, but has used these as motivators and allowed herself to draw strength from them: “Rather than allowing difficult circumstances to define me, I have tried to focus on what I can learn, what I can do differently and how I can move forward. There were times when managing all her responsibilities, pursuing her education and maintaining financial stability was a balancing act: It did not always come easily, but I continued to work towards what I wanted to achieve. I have come to appreciate that discipline and responsibility do not remove every obstacle, but they can help you navigate them. I also believe that a positive outlook does not mean pretending that life is always easy. It means choosing not to lose sight of the possibilities that remain, even when the circumstances are difficult. Faith has been the central source of strength and guidance throughout my life’s challenges.
While her professional journey and career are milestones that she speaks about with pride, Rehana comes from a close-knit family who bring out a unique and distinct set of features of her character “I have learnt to adapt to the different roles I hold in life. The person my family knows may not be exactly the person my colleagues or professional associates experience. Different situations call for different approaches, but the underlying values remain the same: respect, responsibility, commitment and treating people fairly. My parents, siblings and children have all been equally significant in shaping the person I am today. My husband has supported me tremendously throughout my career, particularly during periods of heavy work commitments. His loyalty and dedication to me have taught me a great deal about what it means to stand beside someone. I have been fortunate to experience love and support in different forms throughout my life, and I believe those experiences have influenced how I treat others.
One area which Rehana feels strongly about is serving and sharing from the vast lessons that she herself has learnt as her career moved through different stages. To the young women who are aspiring to be a part of the energy sector, her guidance is that they should “build relationships, seek mentors and support one another. You do not have to navigate your career alone, and you do not need to imitate someone else's leadership style to be successful. Develop your own strengths, remain true to your values and remember that success is not only about reaching a particular position. It is also about how you perform, how you treat people and what you contribute along the way”.
Grateful for the opportunity to be involved in Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector, she acknowledged that “It has been an important part of my professional life for more than two decades. It is a demanding and evolving industry that requires technical expertise, sound business judgement, resilience and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Empowered by her own success within the sector, she carries a deep desire to witness a shift in the industry towards more female participation: “Women have an important role to play in the continued development of the sector—not only in technical and operational positions, but also in finance, governance, strategy, leadership and decision-making. Our perspectives, experiences and skills can contribute meaningfully to the industry's future. She was quick to add however “Encouraging women's participation must extend beyond simply creating opportunities. It also requires collaboration, support, mentorship and an environment in which women can develop, contribute and progress. Women should be encouraged to share knowledge, open doors for others and recognise that another woman's success does not diminish their own.
Having been welcomed as one of the women in the inaugural Energy Chamber’s Women in Energy Task Force, Rehana is encouraged about the trajectory of the task force “I believe in the value of bringing women together to build relationships, share experiences and encourage the next generation of leaders. I would like to see us foster a culture in which women feel supported, have access to opportunities and are encouraged to reach their full potential.”
She hopes that like her, other women will also have positive stories to share regarding mentors who contribute to their professional growth: “I have been fortunate to have several mentors throughout my career. These relationships developed naturally, and each person contributed something different to my professional growth. Asraph Ali influenced my understanding of professionalism, the corporate environment and continues to contribute to my personal development. Asgar Ali taught me the importance of dedication and commitment to work. . Terence Humphrey taught me the importance of getting things done by ensuring that the right resources are in place.. Over the past decade, Hafiz Ali has played a pivotal role in my development. His demanding approach and high expectations challenged me to grow, realise my potential and perform at a higher level.
Having also had the opportunity to be a mentor as part of an NGO, Rehana seized the chance “That experience reflects something I strongly believe: the guidance we receive should not stop with us. We should be willing to share our experience and help others find their own path. I believe we all have a responsibility to give back to the communities and people who helped shape us. Throughout my life, I have tried to support women and children in meaningful ways, and I hope to continue doing so for as long as I am able”.
In summing up her life, as a professional in the energy sector, a mother and wife and a member of a society that has supported and nurtured her own development, Rehana stressed that “Giving back is important to me. I believe society has contributed to shaping who I am, and I have a responsibility to contribute in return. Supporting women and children, helping others where I can, and encouraging people to recognize their own potential are things I value deeply. I am proud of the journey because it reflects what can happen when you remain committed to your work and allow yourself to grow beyond what you originally imagined possible.”