The financial world is rapidly transforming, and at the heart of this change is technology. It’s not just a trend—it’s revolutionizing how organizations manage their treasury functions and financial risks. Aarti Mahesh, a seasoned finance professional with over 22 years of experience, embodies this evolution. As the Head of Treasury at Daimler India, she provides invaluable insights into how these advancements are shaping the future of finance. Join us as we delve into Aarti's journey and explore the key lessons she has to offer.
A Journey Rooted in Financial Excellence
Aarti Mahesh has worn many hats throughout her impressive career. Currently serving as the Head of Treasury at Daimler India, she leads initiatives that focus on capital structure formulation, cash flow optimization, and cutting-edge cash management solutions. One of her key projects, Go4Cash, is a testament to her innovative approach.
Before Daimler, she held the position of Head of Foreign Exchange and Risk Management at Cognizant Technology Solutions. There, Aarti built global FX functions from the ground up, led hedging programs, and guided key financial decisions that made their way to the Global Cognizant board.
Her career journey is more than just a list of impressive roles—it’s a reflection of her dedication to financial excellence and strategic leadership.
Transparency, Agility, and Ethical Leadership
One of Aarti’s key beliefs is the importance of transparency and ethics in finance. She shared that agility and proactivity are crucial qualities for finance professionals to thrive in today’s fast-paced business environment.
“Finance professionals aren’t just number crunchers anymore,” Aarti explained. “We’re business enablers, collaborators, and problem-solvers.”
This mindset has guided her successful career and enabled her to build trust within her teams—something that she believes is fundamental for long-term success.
Technology’s Role in Shaping the Future of Treasury/Finance
When asked about the role of technology in treasury, Aarti emphasized its transformative impact. Here are the key ways she believes technology is shaping the future of treasury management:
Digitalization is Revolutionizing Treasury Functions
Aarti is passionate about the ways digital tools have revolutionized treasury operations, making them more efficient and enabling better, data-driven decision-making.
“We used to spend hours—if not days—on manual processes. Today, with technology, those tasks are automated and done in minutes,” she noted.
AI, Machine Learning, and Big Data
At Daimler India, Aarti led the charge in implementing AI and machine learning through robotic process automation (RPA). These technologies have dramatically improved cash flow forecasting and risk management strategies.
Improved Forecasting: Once labor-intensive tasks like cash forecasting are now handled with precision and speed. This allows finance teams to shift their focus to more strategic areas instead of spending time on manual data entry.
Data as the New Oil: “Data is the new oil,” Aarti said, underscoring the immense value big data brings to financial planning, risk mitigation, and operational efficiency. The ability to harness vast amounts of data allows organizations to make more informed, accurate decisions.
Blockchain and Web 3.0
Emerging technologies like blockchain and Web 3.0 are on the horizon, poised to revolutionize secure payments and transactions. While these technologies are still maturing, Aarti remains optimistic about their potential to improve automation and security in financial systems.
“It’s still early, but the future of secure, transparent transactions will be built on blockchain,” she remarked.
Future-Proofing Treasury Professionals
Aarti offers sound advice for treasury professionals: embrace technology, stay updated, and adapt. “If we don’t keep up with technological advancements, we’ll be left behind,” she warned.
She believes that staying ahead of digital trends is now a critical skill for finance professionals, as the future will be shaped by those who are agile and ready to leverage new tools.
The Future of Treasury and Risk Management
Looking ahead, Aarti envisions a future where governance, standardization, and technology will be the pillars of successful financial strategies. Treasury professionals, she believes, must remain adaptable, using digital tools to enhance business agility and manage volatile market conditions.
Governance and Risk Management: With markets becoming more unpredictable, Aarti stresses the importance of robust governance structures and solid risk management plans to maintain sustainable financial performance.
Fostering a Culture of Inclusivity
Beyond her technical expertise, Aarti is a fierce advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). At Daimler, she has spearheaded the DEI initiative, Shakti, and actively represents Daimler in the global DEI network.
“Diversity isn’t just a box to check,” Aarti said. “It’s the foundation for innovation and collaboration.”
She mentors emerging women leaders and fosters a workplace environment of psychological safety, where everyone feels valued and heard. It’s a philosophy that she believes drives creativity and long-term success in any team.
Final Thoughts: Cross-Pollination of Knowledge
As she reflects on her career and the future of finance, Aarti highlights the importance of collaboration and continuous learning.
“We cannot hope to learn, relearn, and sometimes unlearn by sitting in our own bubble,” she said. Aarti believes that initiatives that bring leaders together—like the one by World Development Corporation—are crucial for cross-pollination of ideas, sharing best practices, and inspiring future generations.
Essential conclusions:
Transparency, agility, and ethics are essential for finance professionals navigating today’s dynamic landscape.
Technology—especially AI, machine learning, and blockchain—is transforming treasury operations, making processes more efficient and data-driven.
Diversity and inclusion are critical to fostering innovation and collaboration within teams.
Treasury and risk management professionals must stay adaptable, embrace digital tools, and be ready to leverage them for sustainable growth.
Aarti Mahesh’s journey is an inspiring blueprint for finance professionals in today’s digital age. Her career demonstrates the importance of technological integration, ethical leadership, and inclusive teamwork. Whether you’re just starting out in treasury or are an experienced professional, Aarti’s insights remind us to embrace innovation and collaboration as we shape the future of finance together.
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