Being Vulnerable and Genuine in Business

An interview with Heran Jung, CPA, CMA, CFA

Headshot of Heran Jung

What do you like most about your career? My career has presented many opportunities to forge long-term friendships with some pretty wonderful human beings from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. They have not only helped me along my career path, but also supported me in times of need.

What trait do you most admire in others? I admire people who demonstrate courage in making decisions in work and in life.

What is your greatest extravagance? Sounds so cliché, but I have indulged in some shoe purchases that I would categorize as lacking in all reason and accountability.

What is your current state of mind? Of late, it could be described as nervous excitement as I look to launch the next phase of my career and watch my children continue their transitions at the same time.

If you had one piece of advice for 18-year-old you, what would it be? Academic achievement and intellect may get you far, but don’t forget those around you on which you may wish to rely or whom you will have the privilege to help.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? No brainer, learning a great deal about myself through my children.

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be? I would want to come back as myself again, to see if things turned out the same way or differently.  I’m ok with the same.

Who are your favorite writers? I am not a huge reader of fiction, but I like British classics such as Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, D.H. Lawrence, James Joyce. Rohinton Mistry novels are pretty incredible for more recent writing.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? My superpower would be to top up self-esteem for people who could use it.

Who are your heroes in real life? My parents who have lived their lives with honesty, charity and hard work. My husband for supporting my choices from university days onward.

What is your motto? I think that it has changed over the years with experience and introspection.  At this stage, I would say, “Be vulnerable, be genuine.”

Heran Jung, CPA, CMA, CFA has held both corporate and entrepreneurial executive roles across diverse industries such as consumer goods, hospitality, real estate, and financial services sectors. She’s recently embarked on a new chapter as an independent consultant providing strategic and operational advisory services in the areas of transformation, strategy, governance and culture. Heran is the keynote speaker for our Chartered for Finance 2020 conference.