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Sabrina Mekhalfa

Vice President Finance, Corporate Controller at Sephora Americas an LVMH company

Professional Background

Sabrina Mekhalfa is a highly accomplished finance executive renowned for her 20 years of robust international experience in the finance sector. With a comprehensive understanding of various finance functions, Sabrina excels in areas such as accounting, SEC reporting, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), budgeting and forecasting, along with external and internal audit, and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance. Her expertise also extends to IPO readiness, ERP implementation, and process automation, which speaks to her ability to drive efficiency and effectiveness in financial operations.

Throughout her career, Sabrina has demonstrated remarkable leadership skills, successfully building and leading entire finance organizations. She has managed budgets ranging from $45 million to an impressive $500 million, within companies boasting annual revenues from $400 million to $40 billion. This expansive range highlights her adaptability and strategic thinking at varying scales of operation. Her strategic approach is complemented by her impressive ability to collaborate across functions, embodying a big-picture mindset that enables successful partnerships within diverse teams.

A standout feature of Sabrina's career is her multinational experience—she has adeptly managed finance teams in multiple countries, which demonstrates her cultural fluency and ability to navigate complex international business landscapes. In addition to her professional expertise, her bilingual proficiency in French and English, coupled with conversational skills in Spanish, enhances her ability to communicate and operate effectively in diverse environments.

Education and Achievements

Sabrina holds advanced degrees that reflect her commitment to her professional development. She earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) in International Business from Baruch College, positioning herself well for a career in the global finance arena. Prior to this, she obtained a Master’s and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance from Université Paris Dauphine - PSL, a prestigious institution known for its rigorous finance curriculum.

Further honing her financial acumen, Sabrina studied at the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, one of the most reputable universities in business education. This educational background has served as a strong foundation throughout her career, equipping her with strategic insights and competencies that have proven instrumental in her roles.

Career Highlights

Sabrina Mekhalfa's career trajectory is marked by a series of significant positions within globally recognized companies. Notably, she has served as the Vice President of Finance and Corporate Controller at Sephora, where she played a crucial role in overseeing financial strategies for one of the largest beauty retailers in the world. Her expertise aided in establishing robust financial practices that supported the company's growth and operational efficiency.

Before her tenure at Sephora, Sabrina was the Vice President and Corporate Controller at Postmates, the well-known delivery service. Her strategic oversight contributed to Postmates’ financial governance during a transformative period in the gig economy, helping to implement controls and processes that aligned with the company's rapid expansion.

In her role as Senior Director and Corporate Controller at Calix, Sabrina showcased her capabilities in managing financial reporting and compliance within a tech-centric environment, influencing the company’s ability to scale effectively.

Sabrina's impressive experience also includes time with Oracle, where she served as Senior Director for Corporate Finance, Controls, and Processes, and further solidified her reputation in managing complex financial frameworks and compliance issues. Before that, she held the position of Sox Compliance Project Director at Sanofi, where her role involved ensuring adherence to regulatory standards, which is critical for public companies.

During her time at Sanofi, she also served as the Chief Financial Officer for the Sanofi Generics Division, where she led a team responsible for the financial performance of generics, a vital segment within the pharmaceutical industry. Her foundational experience as a Senior Auditor at Deloitte gave her an insightful understanding of audit and risk management—a critical skill in today's financial landscape.

Additionally, her international exposure includes holding the position of Chief Financial Officer for Sanofi Algeria, where she managed financial operations in a different cultural context, illustrating her versatility and effectiveness in diverse markets. She also served as an Internal Audit Manager at Sanofi, where she further honed her skills in compliance and risk management, essential for sound organizational governance.

Sabrina Mekhalfa is a respected leader in the finance domain. Her breadth of experience, combined with her strategic outlook and strong educational foundation, positions her as an exemplary figure in the finance landscape. As she continues to drive financial excellence across organizations, her influence on the field is both profound and far-reaching.

Related Questions

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Location

San Francisco, California