Veronique Twite Biashikila
Veronique Twite Biashikila is a finance and operations leader with a unique foundation in industrial engineering. She leverages her analytical problem-solving skills and process optimization expertise to drive efficiency and precision in financial operations. With a Master’s in Computational Finance and Risk Management from the University of Washington, Veronique bridges technical insight with financial strategy, supporting investment decisions and grant-funded programs with data-driven rigor.
Currently serving as Director of Finance and Operations at New Young Scholars, Veronique oversees scholarship allocations, mentorship programs, housing support, and operational initiatives. She is passionate about continuous improvement and risk management, ensuring programs maximize their impact while building sustainability for long-term growth. Her professional philosophy focuses on optimizing resources so that programs can eventually operate independently of recurring grant support.
Veronique’s career trajectory reflects her adaptability and dedication to learning. Beginning with manufacturing and procurement roles in companies like Philips, she pivoted into finance leadership following industry shifts, completing her graduate studies in computational finance. Recognized for her excellence, she has earned accolades such as Employee of the Year and consistently contributes to mentoring and professional communities, including the Society of Women Engineers and the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers.
• Master of Science in Computational Finance and Risk Management
• Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering
• University of Washington - MS
• Employee of the Year
• Dean’s List
• Society of Women Engineers
• Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work, persistence, and a willingness to embrace challenges, along with the guidance of mentors who helped me make strategic career shifts.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received was from mentors who encouraged me to return to school and pursue computational finance and risk management—a bold move that allowed me to transition from engineering into finance.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering my industry not to box themselves into a single major or skillset. When I was starting out, I thought I had to prove myself only in engineering, but I quickly realized that limiting myself left me unfulfilled. Exploring other fields, learning broadly, and gaining exposure to different disciplines helped me discover what truly motivated me.
I also recommend networking early and proactively, testing different careers through volunteer work or internships, and building both hard and soft skills. Don’t be afraid to explore beyond your major—sometimes the path that fits you best comes from unexpected places.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field is that finance is universally applicable across sectors and offers pathways to investment-driven wealth generation. At the same time, a significant challenge is the lack of broad financial literacy and common misconceptions about investment risk. In nonprofit finance specifically, forecasting uncertain grant funding and building sustainable programs adds an additional layer of complexity.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are making a direct, measurable impact on students’ lives, embracing continuous improvement, and cultivating resilience through lifelong learning.