William Washington III, Global Chief Financial Officer at Baker McKenzie
We’re all familiar with the career admonition to pay it forward, but our guest on this episode of Leaders With Ambition is also all about paying it back.
William Washington III, Global Chief Financial Officer at Baker McKenzie, shares with Host Nicky Acuna Ocana how he surmounted transgenerational trauma to build an exemplary life.
His tireless work ethic is the underpinning for consistent achievement as a non-traditional student, a Black man in white-dominated corporate spaces, and as a mentor to those who, as he once did, are yearning for support.
William highlights lessons learned about the power of vulnerability and inclusion as well as milestones that have shaped both his personal ethic and singular upward trajectory. He reflects on the drivers behind a deep hunger for excellence and the fierce effort to match.
Learn about the importance of developing healthy habits – from sleep hygiene to targeted reading materials – and the transformational impact coaching can have when you’re ready to make a professional quantum leap.
Today William oversees all finances for Baker McKenzie, including $3.5 billion of annual revenue across 46 countries. “It’s really about finding that opportunity,” says our Washington, D.C.-based guest. “Was I lucky? Was it serendipity? Was it a spiritual force? I think it’s all of that. But the key takeaway is to never give up – and look for that opportunity.”
How William transcended a bumpy childhood by navigating the ups and downs with authenticity, focus, and a savvy hunch that learning about finances could unlock doors.
What it took
About overcoming transgenerational loss and moving beyond “really dark places” by envisioning opportunity over hopelessness.
Breaking bounds
Why giving 100% isn’t enough when it comes to demonstrating foundational value-add and credibility – and that aspirational “new self” you know you can be.
Bringing intentionality
How being focused and deliberate in all things – from career practices to relationship dynamics to personal habits – sets the stage for highly effective people.
Seeing the landscape
What William came to understand as he climbed through the corporate ranks with few people of color on whom to model strategies for breaking barriers.
Key advice
Why William always recommends that people read at least three books a month – one on career development, one on spiritual development, and one just for fun. Reading is key!
Opportunity meets preparation
How the decision to hire an executive coach at a critical juncture turbocharged William’s career with valuable new perspective, empathy, and honesty.
Key to success
About team-building as the cornerstone for achieving not only corporate goals but sustainable leadership through enthusiastic, unified buy-in.
Connecting the dots
How adversity has strengthened William’s resolve and appreciation for the gifts he possesses as well as mentors who have presented themselves along the way.
Ongoing challenge
About William’s hunger to continue contributing, creating a positive impact in the workplace, and making the world a better place.
Giving back
Why William never loses sight of the mentoring he craved as a young Black man aspiring to scale heights that were unfamiliar, daunting, and unattainable without support.
Grounding routine How morning rituals center William and ensure maximum productivity, calm, and a sense of well-being (including sleep hygiene, meditation, and hobbies).
Movin’ on up
What it felt like to earn his first CFO role, including the preparation William had onboard when it was time to assemble a team and take his place at the table.
Communication styles
Why studying and understanding how people express themselves and exchange information makes all the difference in leading effectively.
Defining stretch
About moving into his global CFO role and how William felt becoming the final decision-maker and owner of consequences at the highest professional level.
Key perspective
What William’s early life experience provides in the way of a level set when it comes to balancing business impacts and managing through workplace challenge.
Finding the fuel
About identifying life circumstances as motivational opportunities – powerful tools to drive toward personal goals and transformation.
Not a dirty word
Why “inclusion” is vital to healthy workplace cultures and getting the best out of teams through empathy, accommodation, and creative problem-solving.
Biggest challenges facing CFOs
Navigating through diverse transcultural realities; holding a vision for the future based in intention and honorable frameworks.
Words of wisdom
With thanks to a service worker William was fortunate to meet early in his career: No matter the job you’re given, do it to your fullest and give 110% every single day.
Key Quotes
“It’s really about finding that opportunity. Was I lucky? Was it serendipity? Was it a spiritual force? I think it’s all of that. But the key takeaway is to never give up – and look for that opportunity.”
“You have to match perseverance and hard work to opportunity.”
“When I came to work, I made sure that I brought … the person I wanted to be in the future.”
“When you come from a dark place the one thing you want to do is put as much distance behind you as you can.”
“What are my superpowers? I may not be the smartest person in the room. I may not have a degree from the best university. I may not have the background and pedigree that some other people have. But I have a work ethic.”
“By becoming more vulnerable and sharing more of myself I’ve been able to become a better leader and have a better understanding of what drives them and what their needs are as well.”
“Nobody wants to go out and walk the earth alone. We want to work in environments where we’re contributing to the greater good. That’s why I give back, try to pay it forward and that’s why there’s still more work to be done.”
“Empowering people is incredibly important to enabling people to reach their true potential.” (Nicky)
“It wasn’t the title or status that appealed to me when I made (CFO at Baker McKenzie). It was that responsibility that I really wanted. It was kind of a pivotal moment in my career.”
“Building some kind of rigor is one of the steps I took that helped me to get started on my journey … That was just getting to Square One of the board game and then you have to ride all the chutes and ladders up and down.”
“It was only when I started bringing my whole self to work that people started seeing that authenticity, that integrity and the person that I truly am. And that’s when my career and opportunities started to blossom.”
“It’s about always thinking about bringing your best true self to work. Why would you want anything else there? It’s hard pretending!” (Nicky)
About William Washington III
Currently Global CFO at Baker McKenzie, William has had multiple stints driving performance and financial strategy at a number of major law firms. He has also worked with Accenture, reviewing financial performance with key stakeholders, senior executives, and project leads for global technology consulting projects.
A Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, William’s expertise includes boosting profitability, minimizing operational risk, increasing billing effectiveness, and improving enterprise-level reporting.
About Nicky Acuna Ocana
With over 25 years of experience leading high-performing recruitment teams, Nicky is a dynamic leader in the recruitment industry. As Regional Managing Director for the US, UK, and Europe at Ambition, she oversees a team of specialist recruiters dedicated to connecting top talent with professional services firms.
Her teams focus on niche areas: the US division specializes in Legal Marketing & Business Development recruitment, while the UK & Europe team excels in placing professionals within Business Services functions within Legal, Practice, and Consultancy.
Passionate about leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and talent retention, Nicky is a sought-after keynote speaker. She frequently presents at industry conferences, sharing insights on recruitment trends, hiring strategies, retention best practices, and DEI in the workplace.
