Nadja Håkansson

IESE Business School

Age: 43 years

“I am a global citizen seeking to make a positive impact toward industrial decarbonization.”

Hometown: Örebro, Sweden

Family members: My husband, Anders, and my sons Anton (12 years) and Victor (10 years)

Fun fact about yourself: I used to play the violin when I was young and in my early twenties, I drove a forklift while working in the logistics department at ABB HVC in Karlskrona, Sweden.

Undergraduate School and Degree:

Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management (Graduated ’05)

Technical profile: Mechanical engineering; economic profile: Production management & Logistics

Where are you currently working? CEO of thyssenkrupp Uhde GmBH (part of thyssenkrupp AG) as of May 1, 2024.

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles:

Early Career Achievements:

• Nominated as a Siemens Corporate Top Talent in 2007.
• Awarded the Siemens Spark Award for the most innovative customer project in 2015.
• Earned Certificates in Logistics Management and Project Management.
• Achieved Six Sigma Green Belt certifications.

Current Involvements:

• Member of a High-Level Expert Group for the European Commission, contributing to a report to the High Commission published in May.
• Coaching women in business to enhance their confidence and career development, advocating for greater inclusion and diversity in Science, Engineering, and Technology sectors.
• Supporter of Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation) through monthly donations, with plans to escalate involvement in campaign leadership to reduce negative impact on planet and human health after GEMBA graduation.
• I support my children with their schooling and football.
• Passionate about learning, I am an avid reader, mainly on subjects such as personal development, leadership, and technology. There is always a stack of around ten books by my bedside.
• I enjoy nature through long walks, hikes, and regular strength training sessions at the gym.

Former Leadership Roles:

• Accumulated 18 years in various leadership capacities at Siemens and Siemens Energy, across multiple geographies.
• Served as Senior Vice President of Region Africa at Siemens Energy, reporting directly to the board.
• Led Power Generation Services in Bangkok, Thailand for three years.
• Held significant leadership roles in Supply Chain Management, including positions as Logistics Manager and Procurement Manager.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am most proud of the fact that I have been able to successfully navigate an intense Global Executive MBA with great results, while simultaneously managing a demanding SVP role at a large corporation and fulfilling my responsibilities as a parent. The effective work done by myself and my colleagues, despite being in different time zones and managing our busy lives, is a testament the power of excellent teamwork.

Additionally, I am proud of the close friendships and global connections I’ve forged with the diverse cohort of the program. During my time in the GEMBA, I underwent two significant relocations, one to Dubai, UAE, and another back to my home country, Sweden. I also switched roles and companies during this period, which meant I had to deal with many changes at once.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I am mostly proud of how I have been able to develop teams and individuals, helping them to thrive and evolve from good to great, and in some cases, transforming poor performance and low motivation into a fresh source of purpose and excellent results.

One highlight from my career occurred in my first leadership role at the age of 28, where I reshaped a logistics organization into a high-performing team that took a more active role in the internal value chain. Under my leadership, we introduced innovative ways of working that remain in effect today, including Sales & Operations Planning using SAP for demand forecasting to improve decision-making across the organization, and Forecast Based Sourcing, which significantly reduced lead times for our customers by using forecasts to procure long lead-time materials up to the customer ordering point.

In Thailand, we expanded our fleet of efficient power plants while strengthening the local service setup, empowering the local team -project management, field service engineering, sales and more- to establish a higher level of customer-centric service. We also built a new service center in Rayong.

Additionally, I am proud of my tenure as leader of the energy service business and later as SVP of Africa, where I helped to unify the organization, empower and strengthen the leadership team, and drove localization, operational excellence, and improved sales.

Ultimately, my proudest moments come when employees tell me I am the best manager they’ve ever had and that I’ve inspired them to become better.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? All of the professors have been absolutely excellent, but if I have to choose one, it would be Marta Elvira. She stood out for highlighting the role of strong female executives through her case studies—many of whom I had not heard of before. Additionally, her course provided very concrete tools that helped me to develop my network.

Why did you choose IESE’s executive MBA program? The appeal for me came down to the program’s design, particularly the composition of the modules and its international scope. I also appreciate the approach of the professors. Their academic profiles are impressive, but it’s their direct involvement with their fields that truly enriches their teaching, making the knowledge they impart extremely relevant.

Experiential learning opportunities, such as company visits and guest speakers, also played a significant role in my decision and are an ingredient in the program’s excellence. Additionally, I identify deeply with IESE’s mission statement: developing leaders who strive to have a deep, positive and lasting impact on people, companies, and society through professional excellence, integrity and spirit of service.

What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? The value of the case study approach, understanding that there isn’t always a right or wrong answer, but rather different perspectives. This taught me the importance of collaborating effectively with others, even when we may not share the same opinions or approaches to work.

I also honed my ability to manage a heavy reading load and to proactively plan and prioritize my time. A busy schedule means you must know when to say no and be diligent when prioritizing your time.

The personal challenge was also significant. Being away from my family was tougher than I thought, and I am profoundly grateful for the support from my husband, who was a tremendous backbone throughout the program, and my boys, who understood that their mother wanted to continue her educational journey. This experience has not only helped me grow, but has also hopefully inspired my children to take school seriously, value education and remain curious.

Professionally, I’m already employing the insights gained from the GEMBA as I’ve recently begun my role as CEO of thyssenkrupp Uhde. I’m applying every element of my MBA experience as I work to understand the company’s current dynamics and strategize on building a team and culture to succeed with our mission.

Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? I have vivid memories of having to juggle intense weekends filled with team assignments and individual submissions during the consolidation phases of the GEMBA. This often coincided with preparing for business trips and carving out family time. One particular weekend stands out: I accompanied my sons to a football tournament and found myself conducting online meetings from the car to consult with my team on submissions due that same day. I also remember dialing into online sessions from taxis upon arriving in Brussels and other locations.

My job is demanding, involving significant management responsibilities and travel, making it challenging to fulfill the many obligations of work, studies, and family. Consequently, social events and time with friends and extended family had to be deprioritized during this time. I focused on staying close to my children, husband, and a couple of close friends.

Despite the exhaustion and limited time for rest and recovery, the journey was worth it. I always remind myself of my reasons for pursuing further education and am already seeing a significant return on this investment. I look forward to having more time for my family once I graduate in a few months.

What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? I think an Executive MBA is extremely valuable, especially after gaining a few years of professional experience. For instance, I worked for 18 years before pursuing my Global Executive MBA. It is imperative to continually develop your knowledge and not assume that the academic studies you completed 20 years ago still fully apply today. Business and technology are constantly evolving, with new topics emerging all the time. Staying updated with these changes is essential for maintaining relevance and effectiveness in your career.

What was your biggest regret in business school? I can honestly say that I have no regrets. Every step of the journey has been developing.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Jennifer Smith for her dedication, friendship, communication skills, and leadership.

What was the main reason to choose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? I probably didn’t fully understand what I was getting myself into, which can sometimes be a good thing! On a serious note, I was deeply committed to my own development, and was looking to accelerate my progress. I viewed the Global Executive MBA as an intense yet time-optimized form of training. It was crucial for me to address some specific skill gaps, while refreshing my knowledge and expanding my network. Additionally, the international profile of the program offered by IESE was a significant factor in my decision.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My ultimate professional goal is to use my experience and knowledge to transform my current company from good to great, making a significant impact on the world. Achieving this would be more rewarding than any new role or additional responsibilities I could assume. I aim to positively impact and influence industrial decarbonization. My goal is to serve humanity and the planet while also ensuring successful financial performance for the company.

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