Leonie, Senior Consultant

What educational/academic background do you have?
I studied chemistry (bachelor's and master's degree) at the University of Münster. Afterwards, I did my Ph.D. at the University of Münster and TU Vienna and worked as a post-doc with a research focus on functional materials for sustainable energy production.

Why did you decide to go into consulting?
Honestly, I'd never thought about working in consulting before. I was tired of working in the lab, and through a few coincidences and the recommendation of a friend, I discovered the possibility of gaining a foothold in consulting. It is the ideal opportunity to gain a lot of varied experience in business in a short space of time and to get to know different industries and company functions.

What is or has been the biggest challenge for you in consulting?
One of the biggest challenges for me was and still is to drop my scientific perfectionism in certain situations.

How can you use your skills at Roland Berger?
The approach of a researcher and a consultant is not very different in some respects. You gather a lot of information and try to understand problems, make connections, and draw conclusions. You approach the problems systematically and present the solutions and results in a structured way.

What did you learn that you will never need here?
The work in the laboratory, especially the experimental part of my studies.

Which of your skills from your background makes your consulting life easier?
Especially during my Ph.D., I had to learn to structure and organize myself and to present my research results in papers and at conferences. I had the opportunity to work in an international research group and to experience the benefits of diverse teams.

What did you want to be as a child and what would you love to be today if you weren't a consultant?
When I was a kid, I always wanted to be a teacher or a police officer. If I were to do something else today, it would probably have something to do with my passions for sports and nature.

How does your team benefit from your skills?
Especially in consulting, it is important to look at situations from different angles. I am convinced that working in diverse teams increases the quality and creativity of the teams. Often, it is very helpful to not have your "business glasses" on and to approach problems unprejudiced and unbiased.

What has been your favorite moment/project since you joined Roland Berger as a consultant?
During my time at Roland Berger so far, I have experienced many special moments, which I owe mainly to the wonderful colleagues here. I really enjoy working with so many motivated, great people. Unforgettable moments have been created, especially at events like the summer events in Athens and Malaga.