KLU Alumna Vanessa Wolgien "How I promote women in strategy and transactions"
KLU can take you far! Discover the career paths and life choices of our KLU Alumni in our new Alumni series. Here, our alumni tell us more about their way after their studies at KLU – and how their time here influenced their future paths. Get to know Vanessa Wolgien (Bachelor, Class of 2019) recently promoted senior consultant with EY-Parthenon, who’s not only following a promising career path herself, but is also promoting young women in the industry.
Name: Vanessa Wolgien
Degree: BSc in Management, Class of 2019
Position, Company: Senior Consultant - Strategy and Transactions, EY-Parthenon
Best about my degree program:
Small, interactive seminar-style classes, which allowed for engaging interactions with both the professors and classmates. This setup closely mirrored real-world working environments. Additionally, I appreciated my semester abroad in Australia and the mandatory internships, which helped bridge classroom learning with professional experience. During my intensive track, I completed two internships: one at a steel manufacturer in Hamburg, where I developed a new supplier evaluation system, and another in maritime export in Brazil. Since I have a Brazilian background myself, it was nice to not only see the country through my family and vacation, but also through the working lense. These experiences provided valuable insights into different industries and enhanced my practical skills.
What’s best about my job:
Working in the “Strategy and Transactions” service line at EY-Parthenon is always exciting because each new project feels like entering a whole new world, but with a toolbox. My focus is on transactions, which involves helping companies buy or sell sections, brands, or entire businesses. This process includes both separating and integrating different parts, and we support clients throughout the entire journey. We bring structure and expertise to help clients navigate these disruptive times. I have a fantastic team with diverse and interesting backgrounds, which keeps me motivated. I’ve been with the company for a year and recently got promoted, which is very encouraging. Additionally, I’m involved in EY’s NextGen Women program, which aims to increase female representation in Strategy and Transactions. Despite many qualified women, the field remains male-dominated. Last year, I won the NextGen Women Germany competition and advanced to the global finals, meeting many inspiring people. This year, I’m serving on the jury for the Germany competition and acting as an ambassador for the global competition, sharing my journey and supporting participants.
How KLU helped me get there:
Because our university was similar to a start-up, small and still developing, we students were regularly asked for feedback. This empowered us to voice our opinions and suggest improvements, for which we saw the results in many cases. This experience taught me the importance of speaking up and advocating for myself within an organization, which has been valuable throughout my career.