How long have you been with the company?
I’m quite new to the company having joined Rud Pedersen Group on April 15, with my first day in the office on April 17.

What does your role focus on/include?
My role is focused on representing Rud Pedersen in the Ukrainian market. And, helping attract new business from European companies and organizations that are interested in investing, trading and doing business in Ukraine.

Why did you join Rud Pedersen Group?
The fact that Rud Pedersen is first and foremost a Public Affairs company was a big draw for me. My first professional experiences were working in government on policy issues and I’ve always loved the PA aspect of the communications business. Given my 30-year track record and the interest of many European companies in the Ukrainian marketplace, I believe the time is right to start working with investors and companies wanting to do business. I feel Rud Pedersen is well placed to capture a good portion of that incoming business.

Who are some of your major influences at work?
While I’ve only been with Rud Pedersen less than two months, I’d like to shout out to the people in the company that were the drivers of our office opening. First, Morten Rud Pedersen who believes in us and the opportunities that exist to make the Ukraine office a success. Second, Line Tresselt, who heads the Ukraine Task Force within the company and is our main counter point into the company. Third, Jonatan Tylsgaard Larsen, who helped us cross the T’s and dot the I’s in our contract to make sure we’re operational. And, last but not least, a shot out to our great Lithuanian friend Mykolas Katkus, who connected us last March.

What is your favourite productivity hack?
In the old days, it was all about To Do lists and making sure things got done. Now, with modern technology, you’ve got phone reminders, Notes, Teams, Outlook apps, etc, that makes our life simple and easy to organize. Got to tell you, despite all the modern technology, I still write out the To Do lists.

Any advice to colleagues starting out their career?
I think the most important ingredient for success in this business is loving what you do and being open to learning and trying new things. Since I’ve worked in government, politics, NGOs, and business, the recipe for succeeding as a consultant is to be one step ahead in the knowledge and technology curve. Consultants are agents of change and they need to drive innovative ideas to clients.

What is one thing you cannot live without?
Can’t live without my iphone – phone numbers, birthdays, music, photos, notes, emails, navigation maps, fitness apps, and for living in wartime Kyiv – apps for security alerts!

Where is your favourite destination you’ve visited, and why?
I’ve travelled a lot through Europe, Asia and the Caucuses, and love it all. The one place that I really want to go back to and explore further is Uzbekistan in central Asia. Love the Islamic architecture, especially in cities like Samarkand, Bukhara and Tashkent, which were on the silk road from China to Europe.

What is the book/podcast you recommend the most?
Just finished reading Simon Peres’ “No Room for Small Dreams,” about the making of Israel. And, trying to finish reading John Lough’s “Germany’s Russia Problem: The Struggle for Balance in Europe.”

What is your favourite quote? Or life advice you’ve received?
One quote from my Washington days that I still remember often is “Just because I’m paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get me.” I found this particularly relevant while living and working in Moscow for six years.

If you could have dinner with one historical figure, living or dead, who would you choose? And what would be the one question you would ask them?
I had the privilege of meeting Henry Kissinger a few times – all during my 30 years in Ukraine. I’d love to have dinner with him and ask him what were his biggest miscalculations in geopolitics.