WISE Women Global. We rise because we lift each other: A Conversation with Ileana Nitu on leadership, growth, and the power of WISE Women Global
We are delighted to be joined by a truly global leader – Ileana Nitu, Chief Financial Officer at Energy Intelligence and Head of Growth at WISE Women Global. Ileana brings circa 20 years of international experience in finance and leadership across complex, high-stakes industries – from the energy sector to media – spanning roles in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. A Harvard Business School alumna, she’s known not only for her financial acumen but also for her commitment to mentoring, transformation, and empowering the next generation of leaders.
Ileana is here representing WISE Women Global – an organization that has become a powerful force in redefining what leadership looks like for women around the world. Founded by Claudia Jaramillo, a C-suite executive and former CFO of a Fortune 250 company, WISE is a global community and leadership platform that equips women with the tools, confidence, and network they need to rise – at every stage of their careers. With members from over 30 companies, 15 industries, and 20 cities worldwide, WISE is building something extraordinary – and Ileana is here to share that story with us.
I could describe you as a true “globetrotter” – you have traveled extensively around the world during the early stages of your professional career. What have you learned about yourself during this time, and what are some universal leadership lessons that have become a part of you, applicable across all the cultures you have interacted with?
I would hardly call myself a globetrotter in the classic sense, but I’ve certainly been shaped by a career that’s taken me across continents: from Romania to France, the U.S., Malaysia, Russia, and the U.K. Working in the energy sector, one of the most global and fast-paced industries, international exposure comes with the territory. What I’ve found most rewarding isn’t just the travel, but the people. I’ve built lifelong friendships, and my leadership perspective has been deeply shaped by learning what truly translates across cultures – and what doesn’t.
Three leadership lessons have stayed with me in every chapter:
- Progress moves at the pace of the slowest person in the room. And progress trumps perfection. As leaders, we must first listen – to identify whether delays stem from system barriers or skill gaps – then step in as catalysts for change.
- Effort is not the same as impact. Every role is what you make of it, and your legacy is built on what you choose to prioritize. Time is finite – clarity of purpose is everything.
- Relationships matter – but they can’t replace results. Real influence is earned through the value you bring and the outcomes you deliver.
Throughout my career, often in male-dominated fields like construction and energy, and now media, I’ve noticed a pattern: men tend to chase opportunities, while many women wait to be recognized for delivering results. That quiet difference in mindset can shape the arc of a career.
That’s why communities like WISE Women Global are so vital. They don’t just offer encouragement – they provide a space to ask the hard questions, confront limiting beliefs, and find the confidence to take bold, career-defining steps. Having a sounding board during those critical moments isn’t just helpful – it’s transformational.
What does WISE Women Global represent and how did you end up joining their leadership team?
WISE Women Global is more than a leadership program – it’s a thriving, international community for women navigating pivotal career moments. Whether you’re stepping into your first leadership role, preparing for the C-suite, launching a business, joining a board, or transitioning across sectors and geographies, WISE offers the structure, support, and network to help you rise with purpose.
At its core, WISE is about transformation. It’s where women from around the world and across industries come together to share challenges, build strategic leadership skills, and move beyond limiting beliefs. It’s a place to find mentorship, clarity, and connection—and most importantly, to grow in confidence and intention. We see it as a powerful platform for women to connect, inspire, and empower each other to lead at their highest potential.
The need has never been more urgent. Women represent only 11% of Fortune 500 CEOs. And according to the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Gender Gap Report, global parity in leadership could still be more than 120 years away. Behind those statistics are stories of under-recognition, burnout, and unrealized potential. WISE exists to shift that trajectory—one empowered woman at a time.
Founded in 2019 by Claudia Jaramillo—then a C-suite executive at SLB and most recently CFO at Jacobs—WISE began as a grassroots effort to support women within the company. With its alignment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, it quickly evolved into a global platform. Today, WISE includes women across continents and industries, guided by a dedicated leadership team: Sama Nekhaktar (Head of Programs), Taya Williams Alfred (Middle East Chapter), Luciana Monteiro (Head of Communications), and myself.
I first joined WISE in 2019 as a participant, and the experience stayed with me. While on my leadership journey in the energy sector, I remained connected as a mentor. I recently joined the core leadership team of WISE Global and today, I serve as Head of Growth, helping expand WISE’s reach and ensuring more women around the world can benefit from the kind of transformational support I was lucky to receive.
How will WISE Community support women that want to make an even more positive impact through their leadership?
Absolutely. At its core, WISE Women Global is about transformation – and that transformation happens in community.
We don’t just offer advice or content. We offer a platform where women grow together through experience, reflection, and shared leadership. Our programs are built around Confidential Peer Circles – small, trusted groups of 3 to 4 participants and a trained facilitator. These circles meet monthly for focused, 1-hour virtual sessions, grounded in real workplace challenges. Each session includes a short pre-read or reflection to help participants go deeper and maximize the impact.
What’s powerful is that these groups rotate over time, exposing participants to fresh perspectives and expanding their network as they go. Topics range from building influence to navigating transitions, setting boundaries, and finding your voice – with a strong emphasis on actionable outcomes and lasting behavioral change.
WISE members represent 30+ companies, across 15+ industries, and span more than 20 cities around the globe. That global footprint is one of our biggest strengths – participants learn not only from facilitators, but from peers with diverse cross-industry and cross-cultural experience. Our in-person gatherings, like those in London and Houston, bring that global network to life – fostering vibrant conversations and deeper relationships across geographies.
Our core program offerings include:
- Your WISE Beginning – for overcoming internal barriers and stepping into leadership with clarity and purpose
- The Influence Track – focused on building and leveraging strategic relationships
- The Leadership Track – strengthening executive presence and decision-making in complex, high-stakes environments
We’ve also introduced one of our most energizing offerings: the Vision Board Program. It’s a creative, structured, and inspiring way for participants to reflect, visualize, and map out their future. Whether focused on personal growth or professional goals, it helps clarify priorities and translate ambition into action. It’s become a favorite starting point for many in our community.
And we’re not stopping there – our upcoming offerings include Building Your Leadership Brand and a new One-on-One Mentoring Track, where participants work directly with experienced mentors from diverse industries.
One of the things we’re most proud of is what we call intentional graduation. WISE isn’t designed to be forever – it’s designed to get you ready. And when that happens, we want members to pass it forward: by mentoring others, nominating new participants, and becoming ambassadors. We love having our members come back as ambassadors, facilitators, or advisors. That’s how the WISE community continues to grow and create ripple effects.
We rise because we lift each other. That’s the power – and promise – of WISE.
And in that spirit, I’d like to invite our audience to visit www.wisewomanglobal.com or follow us on LinkedIn to learn more about our programs, our values, and the incredible community behind them. If you’re ready to grow, lead, and connect with purpose – WISE Women Global might be exactly what you’ve been looking for. Women Inspiring, Supporting, and Empowering each other – that’s what WISE is all about.
