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Célia Pronto is a cutting edge digital transformation specialist, who spent a few years as Group Marketing and E-Commerce Director for Ford Retail Group in the United Kingdom, where "driving results" always has enhanced meaning. In 2016 she moved on to a new role as Chief Digital Officer, bringing her vast experience and forward-thinking tech savvy to Casual Dining Group, a hospitality business that has a rough North American equivalent in YUM. Here, she is responsible for driving digital business transformation with the objective of further commercializing the business across all functions and translating innovative digital trends and ideas into effective propositions and tangible products and processes.
She also lends her valuable expertise as a trustee at Yes to Life, a cancer care charity in the UK that supports patients with essential information and financial assistance to facilitate their access to integrative cancer care, including options not covered by the UK’s National Health Service. In 2016, the same year she started at Casual Dining Group, she pursued a different interest and bought a gym in her hometown (Power & Mind) specializing in small group personal training.
Here is a portion of Célia's story in her own words:
Pivotal Moment of Reinvention
Like many professional women out there, the early years of my career were spent growing my skill sets through education and work experience to get ahead. However, in 2010, following a year of personal tragedies in my family, I realized that I had reached the point where I had more to give – of myself, my experience and my ability to help others. This new-found appreciation that every day is a gift has given me the confidence to participate in inspiring new areas like growing the pipeline of female talent, getting involved in initiatives to actively drive forward the issue of the under-representation of women at the top of corporate UK, championing my organization’s Corporate Social Responsibility strategy and agenda and taking on international speaking engagements.
These events also spurred me on to pursue all my passions and interests, and gave me the courage not only to take on new and challenging roles, but to buy my own business, take on a charity trustee position and to now seek out my first non-Executive Director position.
Valuable Mentors / Sponsors
My father always championed my education, independence and ambition. He always expected me to be the best, but also accepted me just the way I am. I suspect I inherited my curiosity and relentless pursuit of the new from him.
More recently I’ve actively sought out sponsorship from those I respect and admire, particularly as I pursue the next chapter by seeking a non-Executive role. I’ve learned that while some people are fortunate enough to have a ready-made pool of sponsors, it is okay to proactively build your own network of sponsors too.
Moonshot Goal
To serve as a role model for younger women, and inspire them to push themselves forward to be all they can be, no matter the obstacles or challenges in their way. This can sometimes mean placing myself in uncomfortable or unnatural public situations, but I see it as my responsibility to pay it forward.
Unplugging
It has taken me a while to figure out how to unplug, as I generally prefer to be busy all the time. However, during the past few years I have learned the value of exercise in helping me to unplug. Wherever possible I try to make time for exercise three times a week. I also took up mindful meditation a few years ago, which I find invaluable in bringing perspective and balance.
Accomplishment that makes me smile
Despite being born in a country which shortly after my birth experienced a 19-year civil war that subsequently saw my family lose everything, I am proud that this has never held me back from being ambitious, tenacious and successful. Where you come from does not determine who you are or how successful you’ll be; that is up to you.
Recent Reading
The Social Brand: Transforming Your Brand to Win in the Social Era
Cause I Care About
Giving females the confidence to push themselves forward, and creating the right corporate cultures to ensure they are able to continue contributing productively to organizations across all levels of business.
Best Advice
You can’t control other people’s behavior; you can only ever control your own.
Keep-Me-Going Quote
I have two: When you were made a leader, you weren’t given a crown; you were given the responsibility to bring out the best in others. – Jack Welch; and
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. – Maya Angelou
