Dubai-based finance leader reveals how disciplined strategy and human-centered leadership drive stability, bold growth, and social impact.
In today’s dynamic business world, finance is no longer just about numbers — it’s about clarity, resilience, and purpose. Olena Gusakova, a Dubai-based finance leader with over 16 years of experience in corporate finance, M&A, and capital markets, is redefining the role of modern CFOs. Having led billion-dollar transactions across energy and commodities, Gusakova blends technical precision with human-centered leadership, showing how finance can be both profitable and socially responsible.
Speaking exclusively to Entrepreneur Middle East, Gusakova shared how she discovered finance as a language of logic amid uncertainty. “Finance is not just about control — it’s about translating chaos into structure. Across my career, from crisis restructuring to growth financing, my guiding vision has been simple: finance should not limit ambition; it should enable transformation,” she said.
A central element of her approach is the Dual-Track Investment Model, designed to help companies balance stability with bold growth. The model establishes two synchronized tracks: the Stability Track focuses on liquidity, debt management, and risk control, while the Growth Track targets innovation, M&A, and ESG transformation. “It’s not about slowing down risk — it’s about giving risk a roadmap,” Gusakova explains.
She emphasizes that every investment decision carries ripple effects. The modern CFO must be both economist and ethicist: “How we finance growth is as important as what we grow. Profitability and responsibility are not at odds. Investing in clean production, fair supply chains, or transparent governance strengthens brand, reduces capital costs, and builds long-term resilience.”
Transitioning from operational roles to strategic leadership, Gusakova learned to step back and design systems that empower others. “Leadership in finance isn’t about managing every number; it’s about creating clarity so others can act confidently. You stop being the person who counts numbers and become the one who gives them meaning.”
Her leadership philosophy centers on the balance between technical expertise and empathy. “Technical mastery earns credibility; empathy builds trust. The trait that lifts a finance professional from good to exceptional is discernment: reading data alongside risk, emotion, and opportunity,” she says.
Responsible finance, for Gusakova, means protecting stakeholders while fostering innovation. She emphasizes embedding ESG principles and transparent governance into strategy, proving that sustainability and growth can coexist.
Continuous learning has shaped her approach, fostering humility, adaptability, and the courage to challenge old models. Gusakova also advocates for systemic changes to support more women in finance, emphasizing visibility, mentorship, and reframing the narrative from “female leaders” to simply “leaders in finance.”
With a career built on strategy, empathy, and responsible leadership, Olena Gusakova exemplifies how modern finance can drive economic resilience, bold growth, and positive social impact.
