Sanna-Mari Virtanen
Head of Strategy and Performance Management / Group HR
What is your background?
- I earned a Bachelor of Business Administration at the University of Jyväskylä in my home country, Finland, and transferred on a sports scholarship to the University of Denver (Colorado, USA) where I earned an MBA.
- I was on the national cross-country ski team in Finland and won two bronze medals in the World Junior Championships. When I moved to Colorado, I joined the University of Denver ski team, and we won two national championships.
- After graduation, I joined ING's Global Management Program and worked in corporate banking in Frankfurt and Brussels. Next, I joined the Boston Consulting Group in Munich, where I worked as a strategy consultant in financial services and consumer goods industries.
- I joined Zurich as a Project Manager on the Group Mergers & Acquisitions team in May 2006, and in July 2009 I moved to my current position in Group HR.
Why did you choose Zurich?
I was impressed by the people, as well as the friendly and collegial atmosphere. Zurich allows people to show what they can do, and gives them opportunities for growth. I also valued the global presence and the opportunity to work with people all over the world.
Why have you stayed with Zurich?
I feel I can make a difference and contribute to the success of the company, and I enjoy working with the colleagues across the functions and businesses around the globe -- it's like being part of a big family. We work hard but we also have lots of fun. I'm proud to work for Zurich.
If I were interviewing you…
…I'd look for your passion and drive to succeed. I'd like to see that you had a desire to develop and to make things happen, and that you enjoyed working with other people. It's important to be positive, flexible and open-minded, but I would also expect you to be determined and not afraid to challenge the status quo.
