Cathinka Wahlstrom, Senior Managing Director, Financial Services, Accenture

Cathinka Wahlstrom is the senior managing director of Accenture’s North America Banking practice, where she focuses on creating value for clients through unique banking services, including mergers and acquisitions support, payments and finance.

Wahlstrom joined Accenture in 1994 and has more than 20 years of experience consulting some of the world’s largest universal banks, investment banks and exchanges.  She has built deep client relationships, working extensively throughout North America, Europe and Asia, and led some of the firms largest client relationships.

Clearly, she’s taken risks and pounced on opportunity – but, what made her the woman for the job initially?

“I built my career on persistence and energy, passion to do the best possible job and a wide network of mentors and sponsors,” Wahlstrom tells PINK – career capital.

For her, it’s a combination of three essential elements: being in the “right place” and having the opportunity to make outstanding contributions; getting experience in your industry or chosen field, which provides skills and know-how; and collaborating, that is, networking, both at your company and in the community.

“Career capital, like your personal portfolio, needs investment,” she says. “And like an investment advisor, you have to make sure to get the right coaching along the way from peers and others who have more experience than you.”

And, when opportunity knocks, she takes it.

“Too often, women fail to step up and say, ‘I want that job,’” says Wahlstrom. “I have to admit that I actually get quite energized by a challenge, because you learn a tremendous amount by turning one into something that is rewarding and positive.”