Name: Kristine Waldal Olsen
Title: Manager in NewTech
Company: KPMG Danmark
Please introduce yourself
My name is Kristine Waldal Olsen, I am 30 years old and hold a Master of Science in Digital Innovation & Management from IT University of Copenhagen. A “fun” fact about me is that I applied for the Norwegian version of Eurovision for kids 3 times but was never accepted.
How did you imagine your career when you were around 20 years old?
When I was 20, I had just started a bachelor’s degree in business, and was overwhelmed by the potential opportunities I could pursue in my career. I was young and impatient and was naively hoping that the “right path” would magically show up and I would find my passion. This didn’t happen – over time I found out that I needed to explore different things to find out what was right for me and what I liked. So that’s what I ended up doing – working in HR, finance, banking, business development and only then realizing that I wanted to go more towards tech. Everything I learned about myself and the different industries along the way is now a part of my professional and personal “package”.
What does a day in your life look like in your current role?
A typical day for me involves a mix of strategic planning, project management, and hands-on problem-solving. Mornings often start with a daily project call to align on goals and progress. The main part of the day is spent primarily with client project work, usually physically at their offices – this includes many meetings with business experts and stakeholders on the client side, and a lot of sparring with business analysts and developers from the delivery team.
I find it useful to spend afternoons and Fridays on focus work, like financials, invoicing and analysis, as well as internal tasks, like social planning, mentoring and resource planning. Each day is dynamic and fulfilling, with new challenges and opportunities to learn.
What motivates and excites you the most about your career path and the leadership position you hold?
What excites me most is the ability to drive meaningful change through technology. Working in the dynamic world of AI and automation means constantly innovating and trying new things out. My favourite part is enabling people to understand what new technology can do for them, so we can build solutions that hopefully improve their world a little or a lot.
Share with us the biggest lessons you learned on your journey to where you are today.
Every experience teaches you something. Just try some stuff. If you fail, or if you do not like where it takes you, you will for sure learn something in the process – both soft and hard skills. Time is never wasted when learning a new skill or gaining self-insights.
Tell us about a role model who inspired you to become the leader you are today.
Anita Krohn Traaseth has been a role model for me since early on in my career. I am inspired by her boldness and ability to foster a positive culture. She is unapologetic about her femininity and boldly showcases how it is one of her biggest strengths instead of insecurity. This has inspired me to see strengths in my own and others’ individuality.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, or to students today, what would it be?
Your point of view is valid, and it matters! When your opinion diverges from the majority, it does not mean you are wrong. Raise your voice and be open to other people challenging your way of thinking, as you will be challenging theirs.
How do you see STEM education shaping the future?
STEM education is pivotal in shaping a future that is innovative, inclusive, and sustainable. By fostering critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, STEM education equips individuals to tackle the complex challenges of our time, from climate change to healthcare. Through STEM, we are designing and building solutions that are shaping the society we live in now and in the future.
Why is it important for you to promote diversity and inclusion within STEM?
By promoting diversity and inclusion within STEM fields, we ensure that a wide range of perspectives contribute to the development of technologies and solutions that benefit all of society. In essence, STEM education is not just about teaching technical skills; it’s about empowering individuals to drive progress and create a better world.