Meet three Genesis Park alumni and read how their stay at the Park helped them learn about the firm, the business world—and themselves.
David Foss: Getting focussed
David Foss is usually in motion. Whether he’s travelling between clients or taking on extra assignments, David functions best in high gear. He jumped at the chance to go to Genesis Park, although he knew little about it. "I didn’t know what I was getting into," he admits. And how was the experience? "Like a ‘Real World’ for accountants," says David. Since his return, David has taken on new lead roles with clients and accepted responsibility for engagement delivery and people development. He explains, "Before Genesis Park I wasn’t as focussed on developing people as I should have been. Now I think I should do so for others because of what was done for me." The Canadian-born accountant gained many new perspectives at the Park. He says he learned a lot about himself and gained a greater appreciation for other cultures and viewpoints, which helps him in negotiations and problem solving at work and in his personal life. Now working out of the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) office in Boston, David is focusing his considerable energy on growing with the firm. He states, "Genesis Park clarified that I want to stay as long as I can. I see potential in PwC and want to make a go of it."
Donna Gleeson: Feeling empowered
Donna Gleeson’s laugh is contagious. So is her enthusiasm for Genesis Park, which she describes as both tough and life-changing. Donna had been with PwC in Queensland, Australia for about two years when she was recommended for the Park. When she returned home in July 2002, Donna was ready to take on the world, but found reentry difficult at first. Everyone thought she was different. "It’s hard when you learn to look at things differently," says Donna. "It’s challenging to the people around you." Still, Donna’s perseverance and a challenge from her boss propelled her forward. She organised the Australian Genesis Park alumni who made presentations to firm leadership teams.
She accepted a position with a senior partner and the CEO of PwC Australia and moved to Sydney. As the first of fellow GP alumni to rotate through this strategic role, Donna is excited about helping to design the job. She states, "I’m passionate about what we can do to influence change. I feel incredibly empowered." Donna admits she has come a long way from her rural roots in central Queensland. No doubt she will go much farther in helping to improve the PwC culture and business.
Alexander Spek: Gaining confidence
Alexander Spek’s class at Genesis Park designed Delta Team, a project now being piloted or implemented in PwC offices worldwide. Its aim: to involve more junior people in business development activities. A native of the Netherlands, Alex is now involved in working with PwC’s Global Capital Markets Group in Europe to ensure the conversion of more than 5,000 companies to the new international accounting standards. Recently admitted to the PwC partnership, Alex says the Park experience helped him hone his soft management skills. "I’ve come to realise those things are more important than I thought they were," he explains. What else can be linked to his time at the Park? "I’m more confident speaking in public," says Alex, "and more confident in general. Plus, I’ve come to understand the strategy of PwC and the forces influencing it." By applying what he learned at Genesis Park, Alex has succeeded in bringing in new work he may not have gotten otherwise. He’s also made a lot of new friends with whom he speaks regularly. His advice to new Park participants: "Set objectives clearly for yourself. It’s a chance to do something in your career you’ll never do again."
