Five minutes with Ana Chalas

Tell us about yourself

I have a bachelor’s degree in Laws from PUCMM University in Santo Domingo and a Masters in International Business Law with Merit from Manchester University in the UK.

I have been working with Baker Tilly Dominican Republic, in Tax, for over 12 years. During this time, I feel I’ve grown exponentially while developing new service lines, such as transfer pricing and tax controversies. Recently I have been in charge as Tax and Legal Partner, overseeing the department in all service areas.

In my personal life, I love spending time with my family and looking after my two sons. I enjoy reading, history and travelling.

What is the best and worst part of being a tax professional?

Tax is a very exciting field. It’s constantly evolving thus requiring us to always learn new things and to adapt. This work has given me the opportunity to get to know a wide variety of businesses and the wonderful people behind them. It is an honour to accompany them in their projects and endeavours and to protect their rightful interests every step of the way. It really never gets boring!

All professions imply a certain degree of sacrifice. In my case, it has been challenging to balance out the work with family life.

What personality traits make you a good leader; what other leaders do you look up to?I look up to other women who have demonstrated character, aptitude, and strength and who have stayed ahead of their times in leading roles in science, politics, and business.

Some traits that have enabled me to get the most out of my team are honesty, empathy, confidence, perseverance, and responsibility.

I look up to other women who have demonstrated character, aptitude, and strength and who have stayed ahead of their times in leading roles in science, politics, and business.

Has there been anything positive you have witnessed from the recent crisis?

The ongoing pandemic has brought a sense of difficultly and uncertainty in our lives. However, at the same time, it has provided the opportunity to connect with oneself, and to relate with family, coworkers, and clients in a different way.

I am amazed by the resilience that I have seen in the everyday men and women who continue to give their best to bring forward their families, their work, and to serve their society, as our true value will undoubtedly prevail when this phase is over.

What do you value most about working in the Baker Tilly network?

I value the great opportunity to interact, cooperate, and nurture from a vibrant network of professionals from a variety of disciplines, ages, geographical and cultural backgrounds. Who come together with the common goal of providing outstanding service, to enhance and strengthen our brand, and to establish solid and long-lasting connections amongst our fellow members and clients.

What are your plans for the future?

We have the opportunity and the commitment to preserve the values and vision that originated in our organisation, giving way to a new generation of leadership that will continue to develop and strengthen this vision, adapted to the new times.

We will definitely be facing difficulties, especially in the immediate future, while our economies and our people stabilize. In this context, we foresee the need to evolve, become more efficient, and innovate in order to better respond to the challenges ahead.

Get to know us in five minutes

 

Angela Macphee		Mark Ariemuduigho