Robbert Zillesen
Why explore this portfolio?
If you are considering a modern finance leader, you want to understand more than just technical skills. You want to see how they lead teams and drive collaboration across functions, how they deliver measurable business value, and how they partner with executives to accelerate growth and resilience. This portfolio is designed to provide exactly that.
Inside, you'll find:
- Clear insights into how I lead finance as a business partner and strategic enabler
- Real-world examples of how I drive transformation, growth, and cross-functional collaboration
- A transparent view of my leadership philosophy and the business value I bring to organizations
My Future Vision for Finance
I believe finance should be the foundation of bold, data-driven leadership — empowering organizations to lead with clarity in a world that doesn't slow down.
My vision is to:
- Embed automation, AI, and real-time analytics into finance — to make insights instant and actionable
- Develop high-performing teams into true business partners — confident, accountable, and aligned
- Drive cross-functional collaboration that connects strategy to execution — seamlessly and systemically
- Infuse every decision with purpose, transparency, and trust — to build resilient, future-ready businesses
Quick Snapshot
- 📍 20+ years in international finance leadership
- 🌐 Worked across 30+ countries, lived in 5 across 3 continents
- 🛠 Built entire finance functions from the ground up
- ⚡ Digitally fluent: ERP, Python, analytics, automation
- 🗣 Multilingual: English (C2), Dutch (C2), German (C1)
- 🤝 Known for building trust, empowering teams, humanizing finance
A modern finance leader—building business impact through people, data, and digital systems.
This diagram shows the four Key Differentiators that shape how I lead and where I create impact. Together, they form a leadership identity designed to drive momentum, insight, and value.
Finance
Leader
Business
Partner
Transformation
Enabler
Insights
Catalyst
Finance leads best when people and purpose come first and performance naturally follows
I apply a modern approach to finance, combining strategic thinking with a commitment to empowering people. In today's fast-moving, tech-driven environment, I focus on driving meaningful change, building adaptable teams, and aligning finance with broader business ambition.
Blending technical expertise with emotional intelligence, I empower multicultural teams and foster a culture of continuous learning in both digital innovation and decision intelligence. Finance, for me, is not a control function — it's a growth engine for innovation, resilience, and momentum.
Progress happens when insight meets action
I work shoulder-to-shoulder with business leaders—turning complexity into clarity, building intuitive self-service tools, and accelerating decision-making across the enterprise.
I challenge assumptions, clarify priorities, and uncover new paths to value creation.
I support the business today—and help shape what comes next.
Data is only powerful when it leads to action.
I leverage automation and analytic tools to deliver predictive insights that drive faster, smarter decisions.
Combining a sharp analytical lens with a passion for applied AI, I turn insights into action — not just analysis. By connecting data across teams and systems, I've helped unlock meaningful performance gains.
Transformation happens when finance is built for the future.
I enable finance functions to be more agile, connected and scalable, built to grow with the business. By integrating automation, real-time data and pragmatic system improvements, I strengthen the financial foundation for faster decisions and sustainable impact.
By aligning platforms, simplifying processes, and embedding digital tools into day-to-day operations, I help make finance more responsive, insightful, and ready for what's next.
"Robbert brings a rare combination of technical insight, team collaboration, and relentless drive to deliver value."
— Michael de Braaf, COO VESPER Group