McKinsey is committed to an inclusive environment and is passionate about developing diverse leaders. In 2020, we launched the McKinsey Achievement Awards to help women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and first-generation college students get to know our community better. This was the first edition of the awards and one of our many programs for prospective candidates from all geographies, backgrounds, and industries. The awardees received one-on-one mentorship from a McKinsey consultant and $2,500 to support their academic or professional pursuits. In this post, we introduce you to the women’s award recipients from Russia and Turkey.
Dilan Ezgi Koç- Turkey
When I found out about the Women’s Achievement Award, I was fascinated because it recognizes and appreciates women for their achievements and supports them financially, professionally, and personally for their future endeavors. I applied for this award to build my network, be mentored by passionate and accomplished women, and gain insight into life in a consultancy.
I will strive to make the best of this award in all aspects of my life, pursuing my musical career as a cellist and a path as a leader, starting with a master's degree in global affairs at Yale University. I encourage women who have a strong passion and vision for the future to apply for this award to connect with McKinsey, learn from their mentors, and share their own journeys.
Tuna Turkmen - Turkey
I’m an IT & Management student at University College London. I graduated from American Collegiate Institute high school in Izmir with the third highest rank in my graduating class. In high school, I received merit scholarships for academic excellence, the pursuit of which taught me resilience. I decided to apply for the award because it offers six months of mentorship at McKinsey. In the application process, I learned more about the culture at McKinsey and was introduced to the firm’s digital division. I’m looking forward to discovering more about work in the tech space during the mentorship program this fall.
Kristina Zabolotskaya – Russia
Continuous upward movement is the basis of the human identity, and the quality of education you receive is the basis of a decent life and sustainable development. I was born in a small picturesque military town in the Arkhangelsk region. Since childhood, I’ve dreamed of innovating to help society. My continual quest to learn allowed me to become a student of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation.
Now, I am the president of an interregional non-profit organization called the Youth Financial League, and an Organizing Committee member of the All-Russian Day of the Financier. I work in investment analysis for one of the largest asset management companies in Russia. Today, I am preparing a new investment project based on big data analysis, and my team is preparing an all-Russian cultural and business project called Digital Ball, which is dedicated to scientific and technological topics. My friends encouraged me to apply for the Woman Achievement Award. I am honored to have the trust, help and support of the experts at McKinsey.
Anastasia Paevskaia – Russia
I believe personal achievement is about making your life meaningful and following your biggest dreams, regardless of fear or prejudices. I had first-hand experience in following my dreams when I took my gap year (2018-2019) to travel alone around the world and volunteer. The knowledge I gained hitchhiking with my backpack and living with locals in 17 countries helped me set another goal: to enroll in a prestigious business school, learn everything I can about entrepreneurship, and build a platform which integrates volunteers into social educational institutions in developing countries to improve access to and the quality of education. Now, I am doing my MBA at IE Business School and developing my project. I know my greatest happiness comes when caring for others.
Apply for one of the global McKinsey Achievement Awards by May 21, 2021 here.