Ask A CFO Episode 24: Sonam Donkar, CFO, Rohit Group of Companies

Why It Matters

Donkar’s story illustrates how diverse, continuously learning finance leaders can drive digital transformation and resilient growth, setting a benchmark for organizations seeking competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving market.

Key Takeaways

• CFO emphasizes continuous upskilling as essential for relevance
• Global, multicultural background provides strategic advantage in finance leadership
• Leveraging technology and AI drives transformation in real‑estate sector
• Mentorship and early exposure to high‑level decisions shaped career trajectory
• Authentic, servant leadership balances representation pressures with team empowerment

Summary

In this episode of Ask a CFO, host Sophie Jackson sits down with Sonam Donkar, the EVP and CFO of Rohit Group of Companies, to trace her remarkable ascent from a Tibetan refugee family in India to the helm of a multi‑billion‑dollar real‑estate conglomerate in Canada. Donkar outlines how the firm, active across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario, has more than doubled in size under her four‑year tenure, driven by an entrepreneurial culture that embraces direct‑to‑consumer home‑buying apps, AI‑enabled automation, and other technology‑first initiatives.

Donkar repeatedly stresses that continuous learning is non‑negotiable; she pursues certifications, MBA coursework, and industry‑specific training to stay ahead of rapid market shifts. Her global exposure—spanning roles at Toyota, Standard Chartered, Dell, and a transformative stint at PepsiCo—has given her a “super‑power” of cross‑regional insight, which she leverages to navigate commodity cycles, launch green aluminium production, and steer the company through COVID‑era disruptions. Early mentorship, especially a manager who invited her to high‑level investment negotiations at age 22, taught her not just what to think but how to think.

Among the most vivid anecdotes, Donkar recounts making her first investment at 18 in India, leading a profitable asset‑light venture in Bangladesh remotely, and steering a $12 billion P&L during a lockdown, where her team launched the firm’s first green aluminium line. She describes her leadership philosophy as servant‑oriented, urging authenticity, humility, and the empowerment of diverse teams while acknowledging the extra representational burden placed on pioneering women executives.

The conversation underscores a broader lesson for finance leaders: diverse backgrounds and relentless upskilling are strategic assets in an era where technology reshapes traditional industries. Companies that cultivate inclusive, tech‑savvy CFOs can accelerate innovation, mitigate risk, and capture growth opportunities across geographies, positioning themselves for sustained competitive advantage.

Original Description

In this episode, Sophie Jackson talks to Sonam Donkar, Chief Financial Officer at Canadian real estate organisation, Rohit Group. They explore Sonam's story, from challenging beginnings to her current role, and discuss timing versus planning, the power of mentors and what it really means to take on a CFO role.