Decoding Success: How Isabel Gomez-Vidal is Shaping the Future of Business Intelligence
I am sitting across from Isabel Gomez-Vidal via Zoom when I ask her about a memorable moment or achievement in her career that she is proud of. I expect to hear about a major business deal, an industry award, or a high-stakes goal she successfully met.
Instead, her answer surprises me.
“There are quite a few,” she tells me, “But I would say it comes down to people.”
She pauses for a moment before continuing, “I could say, you know, being able to do one of the major integrations of companies that [her company] bought. But to me, the biggest moments have been when I build teams that are better today than where they were before”.
Isabel’s proudest achievements can’t be found on her LinkedIn profile because they are in the people she has mentored—something she continues to do to this day.
“I’ve seen many people who work with me who didn’t believe in themselves. I managed to convert them from not believing to believing, and now they have great careers. When I think about that and the impact I’ve had, that is what I’m most proud of”.
From Spain to C-Suite: A Global Career Journey
Growing up in Spain, Isabel dreamed of living abroad. After earning her business administration and economics degree, she packed her bags and headed to London. Isabel’s first job was an internship with Citi Bank, where she gained hands-on experience learning the many different parts of how a bank works and how to help customers. It wasn’t until she accepted a job at XRT Cerg, a fast-paced, venture-funded startup, that she began to really figure out her niche. With only 100 other people working there, she was able to step beyond the structured environment of a corporate giant, adapting quickly to take on many different roles. Starting in a project management role, she quickly transitioned into customer-facing roles. It was at this time that she truly discovered her passion in connecting with clients and solve their problems.
A few years later, XRT Cerg was acquired first by SunGard and later by S&P Global Ratings, which shifted Isabel’s career towards revenue generation. In 2002, she took a job with Moody Corporation. A year later, the company decided to create an entirely new independent business unit where Isabel had the opportunity to grow the new unit through organic investments and a very active M&A agenda. After 16 years, what started as a small revenue generator became a $2.8 billion business.
Isabel reflected about her time at Moody’s Analytics, “That journey was about diversification, growth, and—most importantly—people.”
Then, in 2023, Isabel moved into her current role as Chief Revenue Officer at Dun & Bradstreet.
Before speaking with Isabel, I never considered the connection between finance, data, and storytelling. To me, finance was analytical, and storytelling was creative. But Isabel sees it differently:
“You must tell stories to the market, investors, and stakeholders. You have to manage your leadership team and your peers because you need their buy-in. And you have to communicate through your organization. Any company or situation you’re in is a system of leverage. Success comes when you can influence and get people with you on that journey.”
Isabel’s ability to blend data-driven insights with compelling storytelling proves that numbers alone don’t drive decisions—people do.
When I asked Isabel what skills and mindset are essential for success in the industry, she didn’t hesitate to answer. To her, the ability to adapt and have a forward-thinking mindset isn’t just a helpful trait—it’s a necessity.
“The common thread throughout my career is that I have always been very in tune with the market and what’s happening,” she explained. “The only thing constant in life is change. That’s the reality.”
She also pointed out that when faced with change, people respond in two ways: some freeze, uncertain of the unknown, while others embrace the shirt and see it as an opportunity. Isabel notes that she falls into the latter category.
“I think one of my major skills is winning the hearts and minds of people—helping them see, ‘Hey, take the opportunity to jump in because it’s going to be good.’”
For Isabel, success isn’t just about reacting to change but leaning into it, trusting your instinct, and having confidence while inspiring others to do the same.
Managing Through Influence: A Recipe for Success
Making an impact and breaking barriers to growth isn’t just about strategy—it is also about managing through influence that builds trust, fosters collaboration, and ensures psychological safety. When teams feel empowered and aligned, the impacts extend beyond internal operations to the customer experience.
Isabel explains, “Building high-performing teams that trust each other, that are highly functional and feel psychologically safe. The safety to be able to, with a diverse set of experiences, be able to say, ‘Yes, we’re going to do this together.’ Sometimes, you do it with
customers; sometimes, you do it with your peers and team. But building highly functional teams will result in an incredible customer experience of winning the hearts and minds of your customers”.
Winning the hearts and minds of customers = company growth.
Isabel has always had a forward-thinking perspective. She elaborates, “I’m always very, very curious. Every decision I’ve made is based on what I am learning next. What is the following sort of problem that I’m solving? And always the day you get up in the morning, even today. Life doesn’t make sense if I’m not learning something new.”
Advice for the Next Generation of Career Women
Every leader must start somewhere. Whether you’re early in your career or looking to take the next step, the path to growth is not just about credentials or experience—it’s also about how you work with others, continue learning, and build relationships. Isabel has navigated a successful career for over 25 years; she knows what it takes to grow into a strong and effective leader.
1. Collaboration is Key: Leading across functions.
“I think today you can only be successful—and I truly believe this—if you can work cross-functionally. What I mean by that is, in companies, finance—whatever your job is—you have to be able to work with finance, HR, product, engineers, sales, marketing, and customers. To me, having an enterprise view and being able to motivate and lead cross-functional teams is one of the most important skills. And if you’re able to do that, it’s because you’re humble.”
Success isn’t just about doing well at your job; It is about understanding the bigger picture, working across departments, and leading humbly.
2. Lifelong Learning: A Growth Mindset
Learning doesn’t end after graduation. Isabel emphasizes the importance of continuously acquiring knowledge, which is a valuable way to stay relevant and adaptable in a constantly changing business landscape.
“I would say just to continue learning, put yourself out there, and surround yourself with the right people. You don’t stop learning when you graduate. There’s so much to learn just outside the classroom.”
3. The Value of Relationships: Nurturing a Strong Professional Network
Beyond technical skills and knowledge, Isabel believes that having a great professional network is the foundation of career success.
“You know, you are who you are surrounded by. It’s so important to nurture those relationships. You will become a better leader by helping each other, understanding each other, and building a circle of trust and a network. In general, you’re going to fulfill your own personal dreams. You’ll be able to help others, which is very fulfilling, too.”
According to Isabel, the most important way to nurture relationships is often the simplest one. She explains, “We get so caught up in the day-to-day that we don’t have time—but it’s important we make the time for each other.”
In reflection, her advice for the next generation is clear: success isn’t just about what you do or what milestones you achieve- it’s about how you connect, collaborate, and uplift those around you.
The Personal Side of Isabel: A Few Rapid Questions
Me: On a personal level, what has been the most rewarding thing you have achieved?
Isabel: “On a personal level, being a mom of two boys. It is the most rewarding and amazing thing I’ve ever achieved as a woman. They keep me grounded and remind me of the importance of imagination because sometimes we forget as adults”.
Me: Do you have a book or podcast that has inspired or helped you in your career?
Isabel: I think it’s called The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck. It is a book that I read. I was probably in London when I was in a difficult moment. The book helped clarify my mind about the importance of strength and how we have the power that nobody can take away from us, which is the power of choice and the decisions that we make.
Me: What is a fun fact that not many people would know about you?
Isabel: “I’m a certified yoga instructor. I don’t do it to teach yoga; it is an essential part of my routine. It doesn’t matter where I am, traveling or whatever; I’m religious about doing 10 minutes of meditation. It gives me balance.”
Isabel’s long-running career has evolved greatly. It has taken her across the Atlantic from London to New York, from finance to technology, and from fast-paced startups to corporate giants. One thing remains clear: Isabel is the type of boss everyone wishes they could have. She is a true leader who genuinely cares about the people around her. She also knows that company growth doesn’t just involve numbers.
