WCS People Profile & EY’s Kinga Charpentier: Energizing Finance with Passion and Purpose
Meet Kinga Charpentier, Partner, and Head of Corporate Finance at EY. If one were to pinpoint three driving forces in Kinga's professional journey, they would most likely be the discovery of her passions, relentless pursuit of purpose, and persistent dedication to lifelong learning. Her story eloquently demonstrates that recognizing and cultivating one's passion isn’t just beneficial—it's a cornerstone of achieving remarkable success. Through the lens of Kinga's career, we witness a vivid example of how a curious and dedicated attitude can become the bedrock of a rewarding career committed to making impactful contributions to an industry.
Discovering Unexpected Passions
Even before Kinga's career had begun, her defining traits were clear: a relentless drive to find passion and meaning, along with a strong desire for continuous learning. These qualities were evident throughout her university years.
“I completed both a Bachelor's and a Master's degrees in Germany, majoring in International Business and Cultural Studies. This was a comprehensive business program that resonated with my wide-ranging curiosity about various subjects.”
Aside from her business and culture studies, Kinga had a deep interest in politics and international relations, which led her on one of the most remarkable journeys of her career.
”Upon completing my Bachelor's Degree in Germany, I realized that my academic journey wasn't over—I wasn't quite ready to transition into the working world. Driven by my desire for deeper understanding to international relations, I applied for a scholarship to study abroad.”
The result was an opportunity of a lifetime: Kinga was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to pursue a Master's Degree in International Politics in the United States.
Kinga's second Master's degree was more than just an academic milestone; it crystallized her self-perception and became a catalyst for her subsequent professional pursuits.
"My primary motivation has always been to create meaningful impact and to work with purpose. With that in mind, I was naturally drawn to international organizations where I felt I could make a difference. I was particularly interested in joining entities like NATO or the UN. In fact, when finishing my Master’s in the US I even received a job offer from NATO.”
But life has a way of redirecting our paths in unexpected ways, and Kinga's experience was no exception. A message from a friend at a bank in Ireland, which specialized in financing renewable energy and infrastructure projects worldwide, led her to discover her calling in a place she had not originally anticipated.
“The job description really piqued my interest—it seemed like a genuinely impactful endeavor. I was drawn to the team and the meaningful work I would be involved in. That was nearly 18 years ago. Looking back, I can confidently say that I found my calling and purpose in the field of Renewable Energy and Infrastructure.”
The Challenge of Starting from Scratch
Having spent several years in the banking sector in Dublin and London, where she gained extensive knowledge in renewable energy and infrastructure financing, Kinga entered a new era in her career by joining EY Corporate Finance in London. Eight years ago, she made a significant career and personal decision to move to Finland.
"After a couple of years at EY London, I was ready for a change. My husband is Finnish, which influenced our decision to move to Finland. Fortunately, EY Finland needed someone with my skill set to cover the energy sector and build up the business, so it was kind of the perfect match."
“One of the biggest challenges I've faced was moving to Finland. I didn't speak the language, and I had to start from scratch in every aspect of my life.”
While Kinga considers herself fortunate to have found a fitting position in Finland, she regards this step also as perhaps the most significant challenge in both her professional and personal journey.
"Actually, one of the biggest challenges I've faced was moving to Finland. I didn't speak the language, and I had to start from scratch in every aspect of my life. It meant immersing myself in an entirely new market, both personally and professionally, and building a successful career and personal network from the ground up. That was an exceptionally demanding period."
Kinga dedicates her free time to her family and supporting her son’s hobbies. She also describes herself as an avid traveler and experienced backpacker, having explored the diverse cultures of several countries, including Cuba and Nepal.
Reflecting on how she overcame the challenge of building a new life in Finland and tackling all challenges in her career in general, Kinga highlights one simple lesson she took with her from her time studying in the US.
"Something very valuable I took with me from living in the US was my can-do attitude. It’s the mindset that you can fail, then you learn, and try again."
Currently, Kinga holds a dynamic position at EY Finland, characterized by its diverse roles and extensive responsibilities. She deftly manages a range of duties across various teams.
“I have several hats at EY. I am a Partner in the Nordic EY Corporate Finance team and the Head of Corporate Finance at EY Finland. In addition, I am co-leading our Nordic Renewables team.”
Kinga speaks passionately about the numerous highlights of her current role, but one aspect consistently stands out: her dedication to assisting clients.
”My focus is on pioneering transactions that are often the first of their kind for my clients or the industry,” she explains.
”This approach sometimes involves embracing risks to empower clients in their respective industries or sectors, particularly when it involves initiating projects that are groundbreaking in a specific field. It's about demonstrating trust and confidence in my clients.”
Cultivating Diversity and Advancing Other Women
When Kinga discusses her role in Corporate Finance, specializing in Renewable Energy and Infrastructure, her enthusiasm for the sector is unmistakable. Her passion is more than a mere benefit of her job; it's a fundamental element of her career choice. Kinga is a prime example of the advantages that come from aligning one's career with their true passion.
She advises, ”Find something that truly excites you, as this natural curiosity drives the desire to learn and delve deeper. My passion for my work fuels my eagerness to continuously learn and grow. Without passion, the motivation to learn and stay informed diminishes significantly.”
Kinga humorously remarks that when work blossoms into a passion, it can even extend into your free time, like playing with Legos.
“You could say that I’m bit of a geek when it comes to my work.” She says with a smile. “I even have a Lego wind turbine at home. I’m exceptionally passionate about this sector, and I was fortunate to discover that passion early in my career.”
But Kinga’s career passions extend beyond just Renewable Energy and Infrastructure. Her dedication is also deeply rooted in promoting diversity within her workplace and in empowering her other women through mentorship and coaching.
“As advisors, our strength lies in our ability to collaborate with a wide range of people. It’s vital to cultivate an approach that is true to our individual strengths and personalities.”
“As a leader, it’s all about diversity for me. I really try to create an environment where people can feel 100% themselves. It's essential to establish a safe space where the fear of error is removed, because making mistakes is not just inevitable—it's a crucial part of growth and learning.”
Kinga believes that the diversity among employees is an invaluable asset, particularly in an advisory role that involves serving a varied client base and finding innovative solutions.
“As advisors, our strength lies in our ability to collaborate with a wide range of people. It’s vital to cultivate an approach that is true to our individual strengths and personalities. By leveraging our distinct differences, we can build formidable, well-rounded teams that thrive on diversity.”
Despite recognizing the positive progress in diversity and the narrowing gender gap in the field of Corporate Finance, Kinga still highlights the continued underrepresentation of women and the challenges it poses due to a lack of role models. She emphasizes the critical role of mentorship in addressing these gaps.
"I’ve had the privilege of being mentored by some extraordinary women within EY, and I’ve chosen to extend my mentorship externally, as there is limited amount of role models in our industry. Having a role model matters a lot. It's rewarding to coach women, including those on my team, and witness their career advancement."
Finally, Kinga would like to give three tips to young women who aspire to enter the same field as her.
1. "Don't be shy—make your voice heard."
2. "Cultivate a support network, seek out mentors, and uplift other women."
3. "Pursue what allows you to be true to yourself and passionate about your work."
These tips can act as guiding principles not only for those entering Corporate Finance but anyone seeking a career path driven by passion and purpose.
