Behind the numbers: Meet the Finance team at Autodesk

The Finance team at Autodesk is focused on the company’s financial stability and growth. They work with groups throughout the organization to provide guidance and support, ensuring our business stays in good financial standing so we can focus on doing what we do best!

Meet a few of the Autodeskers who work in the Finance organization:

Fabien Junod is an Anaplan Senior Solution Architect based in Switzerland. In his role, he defines the standards and best practices to build models to help other teams run their finance processes in Anaplan, a cloud-based software used for business and finance planning and decision-making purposes. Outside of work, he is passionate about football and enjoys participating in the Autodesk Football World Cup.

Holly Brewster is the Director of PPO Automation & Programs based in Portland, Oregon. In her role, she leads a team focused on increasing contracts with diverse suppliers who are committed to setting science-based greenhouse gas reduction targets, increasing the automation skillset across Finance, and ensuring compliance and reducing risk. Outside of work, she enjoys watching soccer, whether it’s played by her children or the Portland Thorns and Timbers, in addition to the Premier League and World Cup.

Teija Corse is a Business Resiliency & Crisis Program Manager based in San Francisco, California. In her role, she supports critical business functions and develops strategies to mitigate the potential impacts of disruptions. She also manages Autodesk’s Crisis Management Teams, which respond to crises that have a significant impact on Autodesk employees, business operations, and/or reputation. Outside of work, she enjoys reading books by Stephen King – she loves the author so much that she named her cat Stephen!

Why did you decide to join Autodesk? What is your favorite part about working here?

Fabien: Before joining, I knew some Autodesk products and liked them. I also appreciated how Autodesk products are the cornerstone of innovation in many fields. Now, after working at Autodesk for 10 years, my favorite part is the company’s culture and, because of that, the people I work with. Autodesk truly cares about employees’ well-being and actively creates a safe work environment where everyone can be their true selves.

Holly: Autodesk was highly recommended to me by a good friend. She sent me videos of some of the amazing products made with Autodesk software that improved people’s lives. Then, I realized I knew Autodesk – my mom had worked in CAD, and this was a company with a strong reputation that has been around for a long time. I love working for a tech company with a long history that still focuses on growth and creating what our customers need to create a sustainable future. I appreciate the aggressive goals Autodesk sets internally and externally related to diversity and sustainability — I feel good about what I do.

Teija: When I was speaking with the hiring manager during the interview process, I felt as though she was looking not just for someone to report to her and do what she said but for a partner to work with and grow the program. In discussions with her and others, I felt like I would be supported and respected and that my ideas wouldn’t just be dismissed because I was new or not at a higher level. While I have since changed managers, that feeling of partnership, support, and respect hasn’t changed.

Can you tell us about a time you felt especially proud to work at Autodesk?

Teija: As a part of my work with the Crisis Management Teams, some of the crises we respond to have a significant impact on employees. One example was the second wave of COVID-19 in India, which impacted our employees’ physical and mental health. We spent three months responding to that crisis, a response supported by employees from various organizations across Autodesk. Many people supporting the response were based in India, so they were living through the crisis as they worked so hard to respond to it and support their fellow colleagues. Everyone who participated in that response stepped up and went above and beyond. To see everyone come together to find the best ways we could support Autodesk employees in India was truly inspiring.

Holly: So many. Our current CEO, Andrew Anagnost — and Carl Bass before him — speaks with such transparency and respect about issues that are seemingly outside of work but on our minds and impact us on a day-to-day basis. I spend so much time at work, so it’s important to me that this be a place where I can bring my full self, too. I can’t say I’ve agreed with everything that’s been said, but I so appreciate the honesty and the reminder that our employees represent the spectrum of cultures and ideas. We don’t all believe the same thing, but we can all speak and act respectfully toward each other.

Fabien: The time I felt the proudest at Autodesk was during the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost immediately after the start of the pandemic, the general message from our CEO — and Autodesk in general — was “focus on your health and take care of your family, which are the priorities, and do the best you can for work.” I was so grateful and proud to work for a company with such a high level of empathy. We also had company holidays throughout the year to allow us to disconnect, rest, and enjoy some downtime. There were a ton of small things that really made life easier during those tough times.

How does the work you’re doing help make the world a better place?

Holly: I get to focus on how to open our supply chain so businesses owned by women, people of color, veterans, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community get a chance to do business with Autodesk. We want to make sure the dollars we spend in the marketplace support our commitment to diversity and reflect the communities we operate in. 

Fabien: As part of Autodesk, I strongly believe I contribute to the company’s mission to empower innovators to achieve a new possible. Autodesk is helping customers explore new solutions to current problems and build a better, more sustainable world.

Teija: On occasions when Autodesk employees are experiencing a crisis, the work I do, along with so many others at Autodesk, helps to make those employees feel a bit more supported and cared about. I think some of our past responses have really shown me that it’s not necessarily about solving or fixing a crisis but that showing compassion and support to the best of our ability can really go a long way.

Why should someone want to come work in finance at Autodesk?

Fabien: First, because you would be working with amazing and very bright people. Second, there are a huge variety of roles in Finance, and you can explore what interests you. And finally, Finance is a critical function for any company. It provides the data, analysis, and insights for better decision-making.

Teija: The Finance organization is full of incredibly talented and smart people who are passionate about what they do. I think it’s important to remember that there are so many different types of roles that can be found in the finance org at Autodesk. I hold a position that is not something that typically comes to mind when people think about finance, and there are plenty of other roles like mine that aren’t traditional. This just shows the diversity of opportunities, experiences, and knowledge that exists within finance at Autodesk.

Holly: We are an established company with a growth mindset. Autodesk values diversity and sustainability and invests in its people. You will find a community committed to creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable being who they truly are at work.

Interested in a finance career at Autodesk? View our current openings here.