Data Meets Drive: Financial Analyst Victoria Gorham

Financial Analyst Victoria Gorham emphasizes the importance of the greater picture, skillfully analyzing and transforming data into meaningful insights that engage customers and foster efficient practices. Inspired by strong female leaders in the industry, Gorham champions an environment of support and empowerment each and every day.

How did you get your start at Casella?

I’ve been in the financial analyst role since May of last year. Before that, I was a billing supervisor for all the lines of business under National Accounts. I celebrated eight years with Casella in February. Environmental studies and finance have always been areas that really intrigued me. I was hired a month after I graduated college, and it just so happens that in this industry, I really get to sink my teeth into both areas.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I love getting super into the details of the programs we have set up for our customers. They can vary so much from how they’re built to the expectations that come out of them, but it’s just dynamic, and there are a lot of layers that you can peel back and really understand the significance of having certain program designs in place. Seeing the different flows, volumes, and where it’s going and understanding why we set it up the way we do, to help maximize cost efficiencies or help customers meet their zero-waste goals.

What drives you?

It's nice to actually see the results of the different reports and analyses I put together and for the customer to really grasp and understand them. A lot of financial-based roles could become transactional, but what is awesome is we get to dive into the process and talk to the customer about the importance of their programs.  It's fun to create a bigger story about the data entry and why things are scheduled as they are.

How do you help train and mentor new employees?

 If there's one thing I've taken away over the years, it's that you'll see about a million different scenarios. Some are repetitious in their theme, but everything is truly different and should be treated differently. My primary focus in this process is showing people that there is a bigger story than just the numbers at hand. This way, people are more equipped to make inferences about what they see and can be more proactive instead of reactive.

As a woman in a primarily male-dominated field, how do you see your role in shaping the industry and inspiring others?

I've had some influential female leaders to look up to and help inspire me. This has allowed me to work in an environment where I am comfortable and able to let my passion naturally seed itself into the work I am doing. I am a huge advocate for women supporting women, so I constantly ensure that no one feels they have to take a back seat and that they feel happy, empowered, and supported.