Strategic Finance Executive & Fractional CFO | Engineering Value through Systematic Over-Investment, Operational Leadership, and Decisive Growth
The Momentum of a Decisive Mind
In the fast-paced world of strategic finance, there is a distinct difference between those who follow the current and those who direct it. For Sylvia Cebanu, a highly accomplished Finance Executive and Fractional CFO, the ability to direct that current was born from a singular, formative piece of advice: “When the train comes, you jump. You don’t stand and think.”. This principle of acting decisively and preserving momentum has become the hallmark of her career, transforming her from an ambitious student in Eastern Europe into a powerhouse of financial strategy in London.
Sylvia’s journey is not merely a story of climbing the corporate ladder; it is a case study in what she calls “systematic over-investment”. Whether it is mastering the complexities of blockchain at the University of Oxford or engineering value creation for high-growth startups, Sylvia operates with a level of preparation that borders on the prophetic. She does not just manage growth—she engineers it.
Preparation and Early Influences
Growing up in Moldova, Sylvia was a dreamer with an unusually sharp focus. While others were content with the status quo, she was already building a personal rule that would dictate her life’s trajectory: “If you want results beyond average, you must invest beyond average.”.+1
This philosophy manifested in a relentless pursuit of academic excellence. She didn’t just attend university; she mastered it, securing a Bachelor’s in Finance, a Bachelor’s in Law, and a Master’s in Banking & Finance. Her approach to learning was proactive—studying materials in advance so that by the time a teacher introduced a topic, she was already prepared. This “working ahead” mentality allowed her to dominate subject competitions and consistently rank at the top of her class.
Leadership was something that chose Sylvia before she chose it. Despite her desire to step back from the responsibility of being a group leader upon entering university, she was appointed by her tutors anyway. This early recognition by others reinforced a vital truth: “Leadership is often recognized by others before you claim it yourself.”
Major Milestones and Leadership
Sylvia’s professional ascent began in the banking sector as a Financial Analyst, where she earned a modest $200 a month. Far from being discouraged by the entry-level salary, she used the role as a laboratory for learning. She stayed late, obsessed with understanding not just her own role, but the mechanics of every department around her. She was driven by a hunger to master systems, refusing to be the person who “didn’t yet know”.
This drive propelled her into executive roles across the globe, from Moldova to the United States and the United Kingdom. With over 14 years of experience, she has served as the CFO of Agile Partners and the Finance Director for Payall Payment Systems, where she oversaw complex global transactions and cross-functional teams. Her colleagues remember her as a leader who balances kindness with an iron-clad commitment to quality. As former teammate Mihail Petreanu noted: “You can definitely rely on her abilities to deliver quality, and her perseverance is exceptional.” Her ability to harmonize analytical rigor with human leadership is a rare trait in the finance world. Andrei Martalog, who reported to her, describes her as “naturally loyal to the company and her team, always ready to help or get involved at any time.”
Industry Impact and Vision
Today, as the CEO and Founder of Digit Finance, Sylvia has transitioned into the role of a Fractional CFO, providing startups with the strategic clarity they need to become investor-ready. Her impact extends beyond spreadsheets; she serves as a Non-Executive Director at Transcard and serves as Chief Revenue Officer at BoltOS.
She is a vocal advocate for women in finance, recently appearing as a speaker for FeminEast UK, where she shared her real-world experience with other professionals in the London finance scene. Her vision for the future is as ambitious as the dreams she held as a child in Moldova. Within the next five years, she intends to move into larger executive mandates and board positions where she can shape companies both operationally and financially.
Sylvia is not interested in shortcuts. She believes that “True greatness is constructed, deliberately and consistently.” Her long-term goal is to transition into acquiring businesses, improving their performance, and engineering successful exits—moving from managing growth to creating lasting legacy value.
Wisdom for the Future
For the emerging leaders of today, Sylvia offers a roadmap rooted in the same discipline that fueled her rise. She emphasizes the importance of staying deeply curious and learning continuously far beyond formal education. She believes clear communication is a multiplier in every domain of life and that developing emotional intelligence is just as critical as understanding numbers. Finally, she encourages others to be patient and build resilience, noting that success is predictable when effort is consistent.
Sylvia Cebanu stands as a testament to the power of “systematic over-investment”. Her journey proves that when you pair a mathematical mind with a decisive spirit, you don’t just find a seat at the table—you build the table itself.
Editorial Note
Sylvia Cebanu’s journey from a $200-a-month analyst to a global finance executive is a powerful reminder that professional mastery is a choice. Her story challenges us to look beyond our current roles and ask: Are we simply performing tasks, or are we engineering value? For those looking to scale their businesses or their careers, Sylvia’s “invest beyond average” mantra is the ultimate blueprint for success.
