For Ancila Desai, music was her first calling — mastering the violin and guitar long before she ever stepped into a boardroom. But the discipline, precision, and creativity she honed as a musician proved to be the perfect foundation for a career in finance. From retail and logistics to pharmaceuticals and now digital health, she has built an impressive track record of leading complex transformations across diverse industries.
Today, as CFO and Company Secretary of MedAdvisor, Ancila oversees finance, legal, people and culture, and compliance across Australia and the US. In this conversation with Liam, she reflects on her journey from concert halls to the C-suite, the power of mentorship and sponsorship, and why she believes owning your narrative is the key to unlocking opportunity.
Liam
Well, today I’m joined by Ancila, Global CFO and Company Secretary of MedAdvisor. Ancila, thanks so much for joining me.
Ancila
Thank you for having me, Liam.
Liam
Ancila, you’ve led in sectors as varied as retail, logistics, pharmaceuticals, and now digital health. How did your career path unfold, and what drew you into finance?
Ancila
My career journey has been driven by curiosity and a passion for making an impact. I actually started in a very unexpected field — music — where I studied the violin and the guitar. While I didn’t stay in that space professionally, the discipline, precision, and creativity I learned in music proved invaluable when I transitioned into finance. I realised that finance, like music, is about finding patterns and telling compelling stories with numbers.
Over time, I found myself drawn to increasingly complex roles — as you mentioned, in logistics, retail, pharma, and eventually healthcare technology. Each step expanded my perspective. A turning point for me came when I pursued an executive MBA, which shifted my focus from simply managing financials to actively shaping strategic business direction.
At MedAdvisor, I lead global finance, legal, people and culture, and compliance. I’ve had the opportunity to deliver our first NPAT and help drive cultural and commercial transformation across markets. That’s been incredibly rewarding.
Liam
Fantastic. Having worked across such varied sectors, how do you feel that breadth of experience has helped you grow as a leader?
Ancila
I think to grow as a leader, you’ve always got to draw on your core strengths — what you’re good at — but also keep learning from the people around you. What’s really helped me is calling on people with expertise, learning from them, and contributing to the success of the organisation.
Nothing can be done alone; you’ve always got to have a teamwork mindset. That not only helps you grow your career, it also strengthens the business.
Liam
For listeners who may not be aware, can you share a little about MedAdvisor — what they do and their mission in digital health?
Ancila
MedAdvisor is a medtech company based in both Australia and the US. Our core goal is to improve health outcomes through awareness and adherence programs. We work with 95% of the pharmacy market in Australia, and we have access to 200 million patient records in the US.
As a B2B2C business, our focus is on improving patient outcomes by supporting both pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies in engaging with patients more effectively.
Liam
You’ve got quite a lengthy set of job titles, as we joked about off-camera when we first met. Can you tell us a little about the breadth of your work and what it looks like day-to-day?
Ancila
It’s been an interesting journey, and my role has grown over the years. I started as CFO, but now, as both CFO and CAO, my role goes far beyond the numbers. I see myself as a steward of value — protecting what we’ve built while also unlocking future potential.
That means ensuring strong governance, compliance, and transparency, but also creating the conditions for sustainable and strategic growth. I oversee functions across both Australia and the US, and I’m deeply involved in investor relations, capital strategy, M&A, and operational alignment. It’s a balance of rigour and agility — knowing when to be firm, when to flex, and when to reimagine entirely.
Liam
As a woman in finance, a female CFO, you’re often faced with the challenge of being heard in rooms where you are the only woman. Tell us a little about that transition into the C-suite and how you’ve found your voice and confidence in those moments.
Ancila
Women are well represented in finance — we make up nearly 46% of the workforce — yet only 15% hold executive leadership roles. That’s a significant gap. Early in my career, I was often the only woman or the youngest person in the room. I felt the need to be overprepared and to constantly prove my place.
Over time, I realised that presence matters just as much as preparation. I stopped trying to emulate others and leaned into my own strengths — clarity, empathy, and outcome-focused thinking. Confidence didn’t come from being loud; it came from being consistent, credible, and delivering results. Now, I focus on creating spaces where others, especially women, can be heard without having to shout or shrink in the room.
Liam
You’ve often described technology as the great equaliser. I love that term, especially in terms of opening up opportunities for women. How do you see AI and digital platforms shaping opportunities in finance and leadership today?
Ancila
Working in a medtech company, I see technology as an absolute game changer. It’s broken down traditional hierarchies and made leadership more accessible. In finance, automation and data analytics have moved us away from manual processes and towards insight-led decision-making.
For women especially, technology has created incredible flexibility and visibility — two things often lacking in traditional leadership pipelines. It’s allowed smaller, more agile teams to have bigger voices and created space for diverse leadership styles. Technology doesn’t just scale systems; it scales potential.
Liam
Talking about lifting others up, mentorship has played a big role in your journey. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received from a leader or mentor?
Ancila
I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who’ve offered guidance and sponsors who’ve created opportunities. Some people saw potential in me before I saw it in myself, and that gave me the courage to step into the unknown.
Mentorship is a gift and a responsibility — it’s about guiding someone and giving them confidence. That support helped me say yes to roles I might otherwise have hesitated on. It’s one of the reasons I try different things, continue to grow, and find my own space.
Liam
I’ve heard you make the distinction between mentorship and sponsorship. How do you see the difference?
Ancila
Mentorship is someone giving you guidance. Sponsorship is someone actively creating opportunities for you — going to bat for you when you’re not in the room.
A mentor helps you develop skills and confidence; a sponsor says, “She can do it — give her a chance,” and advocates for you in decision-making spaces. I think it’s important to have both, and to build a network that supports you in both ways.
Liam
Everyone has their own journey, their own unique perspective. You’ve coined the phrase “own your narrative.” What does that mean?
Ancila
I see a pattern, especially among women, where we feel we have to be 100% ready before putting our hand up. But growth doesn’t come from feeling ready — it comes from showing up. Some of my most pivotal career moments came when I stepped into something before I felt fully prepared.
Owning your narrative means embracing your unique journey — the detours, the reinventions, the experiences that shaped you. I don’t believe we have to fit into a mould. Our strength lies in what makes us different. You don’t always have to seek permission — just take up space and trust that you’ll figure it out.
Liam
Tell us about a moment when you’ve taken a step into the unknown.
Ancila
There have been many. One of the biggest shifts has been in the evolution of the CFO role itself. It’s no longer just about historical reporting — it’s about shaping the future. Finance leaders are now expected to translate data into direction, connect financial health with strategic ambition, and influence where we invest, how we grow, and how we innovate.
For me, that’s exciting. It means finance is now a function that helps the business say yes — thoughtfully and with purpose.
Liam
What does good leadership look like to you today?
Ancila
Good leadership starts with listening — really listening. You have to understand your people and your organisation. Culture comes from within, and if you want to make a lasting impact, you need to know your team and their needs.
Leadership isn’t about a title. It’s about the ability to understand what’s required and then deliver on it. Nothing meaningful is achieved alone. I’ve been fortunate to work with strong, capable people at MedAdvisor, and we’ve built some amazing leaders with incredible potential.
Liam
When you’re hiring, what qualities do you look for in talent?
Ancila
Clarity, courage, and care. Clarity about where you want to go, the courage to speak up, and care for your culture and purpose. You need to know yourself — what drives your success and what makes you different — because that’s how you add value.
It’s not just about finding the right job; it’s about finding the right culture that helps you thrive.
Liam
What does good culture look like for you personally?
Ancila
A culture where people can speak openly. It’s about understanding the business, understanding the people around you, and balancing individual needs with the needs of the company.
Sometimes the team is more important than the individual; sometimes it’s the other way around. A good culture helps you grow, makes showing up to work exciting, and combines performance with empathy and humility.
Liam
Looking ahead, what are you most excited about shaping at MedAdvisor and beyond?
Ancila
At this stage in my career, I’m focused on joining and supporting purpose-driven businesses that are scaling. For me, it’s about contributing to organisations with a clear mission — like improving patient outcomes at MedAdvisor — and building inclusive, resilient, forward-thinking teams.
Liam
When you think about your legacy, what impact do you hope to leave?
Ancila
I want to be remembered not just for the results I’ve delivered, but for the people I’ve backed, the culture I’ve helped shape, and the doors I’ve opened for the next generation — especially women. Legacy, for me, is about creating a space where others can grow, lead, and believe in themselves.
Liam
What advice would you give your younger self?
Ancila
Have more confidence in your ability. Let go of the fear of being judged or not knowing everything. There are always incredible people around you — reach out to them for guidance and feedback. Feedback is a gift, and if you use it to grow, you’ll be less hesitant and more willing to take risks.
Liam
Outside of work, how do you stay grounded and balanced?
Ancila
I’m fortunate to have music to fall back on. Playing the violin and guitar gives me an outlet when life gets busy or stressful. I encourage the younger generation to have something like that — a passion that keeps you centred no matter what’s happening at work.
Liam
Any book, podcast, or show you’d recommend?
Ancila
I’m currently reading The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni, which offers great insights into organisational behaviour. We’ve shared copies with our team because it’s so relevant to how we work. I also love reading about marketing — you’ll often find me with a marketing book at the airport or on a plane.
Liam
Outside of music, what’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
Ancila
I play basketball. My boys love the sport, so I volunteer at their club and help with scoring. It’s the only sport I really know, but I enjoy being part of it.
Liam
And finally, what’s your coffee order?
Ancila
Skinny flat white.
Liam
Love it. Ancila, thank you so much for joining me.
Ancila
Thank you so much, Liam.
