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Interview with Finance Director Elena Fits
Interview with Finance Director Elena Fits
We wanted to help you get to know us a little better, so we’re launching a new interview series! It’s interesting even for us, because it gives us a chance to learn more about our colleagues.
Along with questions about logistics and the company, we also decided to include a few personal ones.
Along with questions about logistics and the company, we also decided to include a few personal ones.
Elena, hello! Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions and help us get to know you a little better :)
Hello! Thank you for organizing this. I’m curious to see how it goes!)
Let’s start with your background — what experience do you have in logistics?
I have been in the profession for more than 25 years, 20 of them with international companies. After graduating with a degree in Transport Engineering and Economics, I took my first professional steps at Sovtransavto, one of the largest logistics companies in the former Soviet Union.
From the late 1990s, branches and representative offices of foreign companies began opening across the country, and they needed specialists in different fields who spoke English. At that time, relatively few people knew foreign languages, especially professional terminology, so I found it quite easy to move into new roles.
Over the years, I had the opportunity to work with German, Turkish, Italian, and Maltese companies. But my longest experience — around 12 years — was with a subsidiary of a major Finnish chemical group.
So today, we’ll find out why Elena chose logistics, what her favorite way to relax is, what she considers her superpower, and what inspiring dream she has.
Hello! Thank you for organizing this. I’m curious to see how it goes!)
Let’s start with your background — what experience do you have in logistics?
I have been in the profession for more than 25 years, 20 of them with international companies. After graduating with a degree in Transport Engineering and Economics, I took my first professional steps at Sovtransavto, one of the largest logistics companies in the former Soviet Union.
From the late 1990s, branches and representative offices of foreign companies began opening across the country, and they needed specialists in different fields who spoke English. At that time, relatively few people knew foreign languages, especially professional terminology, so I found it quite easy to move into new roles.
Over the years, I had the opportunity to work with German, Turkish, Italian, and Maltese companies. But my longest experience — around 12 years — was with a subsidiary of a major Finnish chemical group.
So today, we’ll find out why Elena chose logistics, what her favorite way to relax is, what she considers her superpower, and what inspiring dream she has.
- That’s great! So, have you always worked in finance within logistics companies?I have always worked in finance, but not always in logistics companies. One of the great things about working in finance is that, once you have built up experience in one area of business, you can adapt quite easily and learn the specifics of a new industry.
- And what does logistics mean to you?First and foremost, I am particularly interested in international logistics. I enjoy communicating with colleagues from different countries and constantly expanding the geography of my professional contacts.
In today’s environment, international logistics is also a daily challenge — and it is important to be able to see the opportunities these challenges can create for companies like ours.
From a financial perspective, logistics is primarily about finding efficient ways to reduce the costs associated with transporting different types of cargo. - Interesting!
What do you enjoy most about your work?I like the opportunity for continuous professional development. There is never really a standstill in finance. In a small company, a finance professional has to be something of an all-rounder.
You need to be a strong analyst, treasurer, internal auditor, and tax expert all at the same time.
If I had to choose from all of these areas, my main priority would be building an efficient system for accounting and analyzing the company’s performance. In addition, given the current situation with international payments, part of the job is the daily search for effective ways to settle payments with Western partners. - You truly have no equal when it comes to this! We are incredibly grateful for the structure and order you have brought to our documentation.
What advantages would you highlight about our company?
The atmosphere of mutual understanding within the team. A strong focus on achieving positive results. Ambition. And the ability to find new opportunities in new challenges — exactly what I mentioned earlier.
September 2, 2023. Intra-team sailing competition.
I completely agree with every point! And let me share a little more about you. Our office is in Moscow, while you live in St. Petersburg and visit us quite often. How did you decide to travel so frequently and work in another city?
I was born in a military garrison, and my father served in the military. I became used to frequent moves from an early age, so I have always approached travel with ease and curiosity.
Besides, it has become common practice worldwide for professionals not only to travel on business, but also to relocate to another city for an interesting job. For me, Alfa Cargo Service is exactly that kind of work. I have a wonderful opportunity to apply the knowledge and experience I have gained over the years and to contribute to building a successful logistics company.
And I think the perfect question to wrap up this topic is: how would you describe our company in two words?
Dream team.
I have to say, everyone seems to mention our team. There’s a special warmth and sense of unity here, so I guess that really is something that sets us apart!
I agree 100%.
I was born in a military garrison, and my father served in the military. I became used to frequent moves from an early age, so I have always approached travel with ease and curiosity.
Besides, it has become common practice worldwide for professionals not only to travel on business, but also to relocate to another city for an interesting job. For me, Alfa Cargo Service is exactly that kind of work. I have a wonderful opportunity to apply the knowledge and experience I have gained over the years and to contribute to building a successful logistics company.
And I think the perfect question to wrap up this topic is: how would you describe our company in two words?
Dream team.
I have to say, everyone seems to mention our team. There’s a special warmth and sense of unity here, so I guess that really is something that sets us apart!
I agree 100%.
- And now it’s time for a few more personal questions. What was your first job?As I mentioned earlier, it was at Sovtransavto, a large logistics company, back in the 1990s. Many years have passed, and now I’m back in logistics again. It must be fate 😊
Once life brings you into logistics, it’s hard to leave it behind :) - Could you share what you enjoy doing in the evenings after work or on weekends?I love going swimming. Being in the water helps me relax, while the physical activity helps clear my mind of thoughts and numbers! On weekends, I enjoy going to the theater with my family.
- Wow, that sounds wonderful! What has been your most memorable visit to the theater?Going to see Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “La Traviata” at our beloved Mariinsky Theatre during the Christmas holidays.
- I’ve also heard that for theater lovers, seeing The Nutcracker around New Year’s is a real dream — and getting tickets is no easy task. Is The Nutcracker on your list, or have you already seen it? :)I’ve seen The Nutcracker about three times, performed by different companies in different countries 😊
So far, I haven’t felt the urge to see it a fourth time.
But I would gladly go to see Swan Lake again — more than once, in fact. I recommend that everyone see it specifically at the Mariinsky Theatre. It is a brilliant ballet set to the magnificent music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. - And tell us about your most recent happy day off — what was it like?A family trip to the Mariinsky Theatre to see Mikhail Glinka’s opera “Ruslan and Lyudmila.”
The idea came from my daughter Polina, who studies at the St. Petersburg Conservatory and dreams of becoming an opera singer. Lyudmila’s aria is one of the pieces Polina had to perform before the examination committee during the winter exam session.
For her, it was a matter of professional interest, while for me it was a wonderful opportunity to spend a lovely evening with my family and enjoy Glinka’s brilliant music performed beautifully by the artists of the Mariinsky Theatre.
By the way, she passed the exam with top marks 😊
Let me ask about another side of cultural life — what is your favorite book?
Stephen R. Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” I recommend it to everyone. So far, this is the book that has made the strongest impression on me.
What impressed me about it? In just seven principles, it offers a real recipe for an effective life. There is nothing unnecessary, no filler — it brings together the most important and useful ideas that can help you build the life you dream of.
I especially like his idea that economic security does not depend on your job itself, but on your ability to produce — to think, learn, create, and adapt to changing circumstances. That, in my view, is what true financial independence really means: not simply owning material assets, but having the ability to create value.
Stephen R. Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” I recommend it to everyone. So far, this is the book that has made the strongest impression on me.
What impressed me about it? In just seven principles, it offers a real recipe for an effective life. There is nothing unnecessary, no filler — it brings together the most important and useful ideas that can help you build the life you dream of.
I especially like his idea that economic security does not depend on your job itself, but on your ability to produce — to think, learn, create, and adapt to changing circumstances. That, in my view, is what true financial independence really means: not simply owning material assets, but having the ability to create value.
- I haven’t read it yet, but it’s high on my “must-read soon” list — I promise I’ll fix that in the near future! What are you reading now?“Inner Support” by A. Babich.
- We’ll be looking forward to your review :) What is your favorite quote?“In life, the person who wants something achieves more than the person who merely can.” There is nothing impossible — everything depends on how strongly we want it.
- That really hits the mark — very inspiring! And what would you say your superpower is?Thoroughness and determination.
- You can really tell! And what skill would you like to develop?The ability to meditate, because it is one of the ways to regulate yourself and give your mind a chance to reset after intense work that requires constant concentration and a high level of commitment.
- I understand. After working with so much information, sometimes all you want is a little silence — and it’s not always easy to find. What would you like to do this year that you’ve never done before?Take a dive in a submersible.
Wow, that sounds both exciting and unexpected! Have you already chosen the place and figured out how to make it happen? When should we expect photos from the submersible? :)
Yes, the place is already chosen — the Red Sea. I’m planning to travel to Egypt with my family and enjoy the views of its incredibly rich and colorful underwater world.
Oh, you absolutely have to share your impressions with us afterwards!
Of course, with pleasure.
We’re coming to the end of our interview. What is your favorite dish?
Borscht with pampushki. For me, it’s both a first and a second course at the same time — at least, that’s how I prepare it. Delicious and filling!
Now my stomach is growling :) I think I know what I’m having for lunch today. And one final, very important question…
Cats or dogs?
A cat! His name is Richard, and he is 13 years old. He is a real-life version of Behemoth the Cat from Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita. He is absolutely unique — there is no other cat like him in the world! Our family used to be completely indifferent to cats, but Richard turned us into devoted fans of one very special cat. If that isn’t magic, what is?
Then we simply have to ask for a photo!
With pleasure!
Thank you for taking the time to talk with us!
Yes, the place is already chosen — the Red Sea. I’m planning to travel to Egypt with my family and enjoy the views of its incredibly rich and colorful underwater world.
Oh, you absolutely have to share your impressions with us afterwards!
Of course, with pleasure.
We’re coming to the end of our interview. What is your favorite dish?
Borscht with pampushki. For me, it’s both a first and a second course at the same time — at least, that’s how I prepare it. Delicious and filling!
Now my stomach is growling :) I think I know what I’m having for lunch today. And one final, very important question…
Cats or dogs?
A cat! His name is Richard, and he is 13 years old. He is a real-life version of Behemoth the Cat from Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita. He is absolutely unique — there is no other cat like him in the world! Our family used to be completely indifferent to cats, but Richard turned us into devoted fans of one very special cat. If that isn’t magic, what is?
Then we simply have to ask for a photo!
With pleasure!
Thank you for taking the time to talk with us!
Richard