There is a natural sense of curiosity in the firm. We ask: ‘How can I improve this? Where can I find the answer? Who can help?’ This mindset is what sets us apart.
EMBRACING LEARNING
I’m from Finland, but after completing my marketing degree, I moved to Germany to take up a sales position in a textiles firm. A visit to Oktoberfest, where I met the Englishman who would become my partner, however, changed my plans. I relocated to the United Kingdom, where I completed my MBA and joined a consultancy that worked in the petrochemicals sector. I loved the work, but wanted to join a firm that provided constant learning opportunities so that I could develop deeper and become an expert—which is exactly what McKinsey offers.
DEEPENING MY EXPERTISE
I began my McKinsey journey as a chemical-information specialist and soon carved out a niche for myself in petrochemicals and plastics. Initially, our chemicals-research team was focused on the United States and Western Europe, as was the industry itself. We have grown to meet demand and expanded our geographic focus, mirroring the increasingly global nature of the chemicals industry. In my current role as a capabilities and insights expert, I provide client service teams with industry-specific content and thought partner with them to find the knowledge they need. I also support clients on strategic projects and work closely with McKinsey’s leadership to develop industry insights.
CURIOSITY IS KEY
At McKinsey, we strive to deliver the latest insights, in-depth analysis, and innovative solutions to help our clients achieve their goals. To do so, we constantly find new ways of thinking and working. There is a natural sense of curiosity in the firm. We ask: ‘How can I improve this? Where can I find the answer? Who can help?’ This mindset is what sets us apart.
CHANGE THE WORLD
Sustainability is an area that I care about very deeply, and one that has become an increasingly important part of my work. We’ve all seen the shocking images of plastic waste in our oceans, which highlights an urgency to act. Our clients want to understand the opportunities and challenges around sustainability, and our research contributes to best practices. I’ve been fortunate to work on several bioplastics projects, and one report was presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos. It was hugely rewarding to work in a passionate team, with a forward-looking attitude, to bring my expertise to bear on this critical topic.