Client Admitted to London Business School
“From where?? Yakutsk? “– an outraged voice behind the door with the plate Deputy Head hinted on the outcome of my first Moscow job interview. The HR lady returned with apologies. I did not mind: the guy did not read my CV thoroughly. Yakutsk, the regional capital, was not that bad compared to my birthplace.
I grew up in a rustic village in the heart of Siberia with a scanty population of 2500. Since kindergarten, I not only excelled in academics, but also demonstrated a keen interest in drawing, dancing and singing. I have always shouldered higher responsibilities and delighted my family with laurels – the pioneer squad lead, school newspaper chief, school president for two years and honours diplomas to name a few.
At fifteen, my school selected me for an international camp as the kids-leader. Rubbing shoulders with boys and girls having bold dreams and thrilling hobbies for 45 days, I broadened my mental horizon. This transformative experience made me realize the incredible inspiration in the idea of incorporating other countries’ mindset and achievements in Russia, as my personal example persuaded me how beneficial such exposure could be. Moreover, I became adept to the campers’ motto “If not me, than who” and memorized that I was the only one to shape my destiny. Thereafter, I took intensive English courses to enter the World Economics faculty, the only one with recognized international bias in the region. After graduation the path seemed clear: experience acquiring and moving to Moscow in order to join an international consulting company. Consulting then seemed a direct opportunity to enrich Russian economy with seasoned international expertise.
However, I had to delay my economy savior agenda: I married and relocated 3000 miles in the direction opposite to the capital and my plans. Unexpectedly that experience laid the foundation of my ensuing success. I learned to succeed in a different culture and mindset: within three years, I managed to get a top-management position in a local bank, opened a new office and launched a retail business in the national minority enclave. Besides, by taking that huge step, I only confirmed my initial calling.
At that juncture of my life, I refreshed the roadmap, divorced and relocated to Moscow. That was my best parachute jump: flying one-way, finding a flat within a day, travelling to Malta in order to reanimate English in a language school, accepting a consultant position at KPMG to win a double promotion within four months and the next double promotion a year later.
The sands of time has blown by and I now manage the innovation pipeline for the biggest Food & Beverage company in Russia, bringing global practices to local business. But I still enjoy risky sports, participate in start-up ideas review and lunch together with my husband. My new challenge is an independent project with the help of a global MBA, and I know nothing stands in my way if I myself do not.
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