Photo of Richard Parkinson and Anna Kotina, Hasbro.

Anna Kotina is Treasury Manager at Hasbro in Switzerland. Her approach to continuous learning, team development and her focus on delivering financial benefits are the main reasons for her being chosen as Treasury Today’s Rising Star for 2016.

Making a real difference

Anna was nominated for this award by Maria Gonzalez, Head of Treasury and Finance at Hasbro SA in Switzerland, who says: “In the past five years, Anna has exhibited not only strong interest in advancing her knowledge and skills in treasury but has implemented these skills and best practices in the treasury operations throughout Hasbro.

“In a short period of time as Treasury Manager, Anna has mastered and improved Hasbro’s Treasury structure and processes. Corporate treasury is a dynamic and ever evolving environment which Anna tackles by continuous education as evidenced by her ACT accreditations.”

Anna’s ongoing commitment to developing her management skills have led her to establish an open and motivational environment in the team. She has learned, through working with corporate treasury and Hasbro affiliates, the role and importance of global cash visibility and financial risk management and the significant roles both play in managing cash flow and investments.

This knowledge was put to the test with the implementation of the company’s global treasury management system (TMS) and both the team and Anna passed with flying colours. Anna has streamlined many processes, saving time and reducing costs by looking at each function as well as the global picture. This leadership of her team and collaborative work with global colleagues has earned Anna the professional respect and advancement appropriate to her. “I see Anna as the ideal role model for all future treasury practitioners,” says Gonzalez.

Developing her skills

Anna has excelled both locally (Europe) and internationally (US) for the Hasbro organisation. She recently led the global roll-out of the Reval treasury solution. Her skills were highlighted during the implementation by her continuing development of innovative approaches to resolve system-based issues. What’s more, her detailed knowledge of the company’s treasury operations allowed her to effectively and successfully navigate a complex environment. “Her detailed knowledge of multilateral netting allowed her to manipulate the system to meet Hasbro specific requirements,” says Ashley Mitchell, Senior Pre Sales Consultant at FIS.

Anna has excelled in her role as Treasury Manager from her commitment to developing her treasury expertise to her ability to deliver economic benefits to Hasbro, from balance sheet optimisation to advising on the tax implications of setting up an in-house bank and also by building and developing her team. She has earned several promotions over the years and is highly regarded by senior executives.

Prior to joining Hasbro in 2011 as a Treasury Analyst, Anna worked for Enekos and British American Tobacco in Russia. She speaks English fluently and is advanced in French.

Finance leader of the future

Anna is an enthusiastic, energetic, hardworking and result-driven corporate treasury manager with over seven years of finance experience and more than three years of invaluable experience in leading and developing a successful treasury team. Over this time she has demonstrated the ability to handle complex projects effectively and has shown the confidence to work well as a part of a team or independently.

“Anna is a focused professional who leads by example; she is very open and willing to share her experiences and treasury knowledge,” says Gonzalez. As such, Treasury Today is very excited to see what the future holds for Anna, this year’s Rising Star.

Anna Kotina defines her personal attributes as:

• Attention to detail.
• Communication skills.
• Analytical mind.
• High level of integrity.
• The ability to work effectively under pressure.

She also has experience of the following systems:

• REVAL.
• SAP.
• FXALL.
• Bloomberg.
• Crystal reports.
• Excel advanced user