Angela Ahrendts on purposeful leadership and keeping pace in a changing world
Insights|September 26, 2025
As part of our engagement with Nordic Business Forum 2025, we had the pleasure of welcoming Angela Ahrendts, former SVP of Apple Retail and CEO of Burberry, to our Helsinki office on 24 September. Angela, who also serves as Chair of the Board of Save the Children International and sits on the boards of Ralph Lauren Corporation, Airbnb, Inc., and WPP plc, joined us for an exclusive event.
During a moderated discussion followed by a Q&A session, hosted by Ami Paanajärvi, Partner in Competition, Compliance and Contentious, Angela shared her reflections on leading with purpose, building resilient cultures, and navigating transformation in global organizations. Her insights resonated strongly with the Forum’s overarching theme and with Roschier’s commitment to purposeful leadership and value-driven growth.
One of the most resonant themes Angela explored during the discussion was the importance of creating cultures where people feel genuinely connected and empowered. Reflecting on her leadership journey, she shared that “if employees are happy, that permeates every facet of their life and if they’re miserable, it does too.” She emphasized that leaders have a responsibility not just to drive results, but to positively impact the lives of those they lead. Her reflections highlighted how emotional intelligence, listening, and human connection are essential to building resilient organizations in a fast-paced, multi-generational world.
Angela also spoke about the need for leaders to keep pace with both employees and customers in a rapidly evolving landscape. “It’s less about change and more about keeping pace,” Angela said. She illustrated this by highlighting how younger generations, particularly digital and AI natives, are reshaping expectations around work and leadership. Angela emphasized that this generation doesn’t need to be taught to use AI, they instinctively lean into it as their “smartest friend.” At Roschier, we believe that staying attuned to the needs of our people and clients is not just a strategic imperative. It’s a reflection of our values and a foundation for sustainable growth.
The event offered a unique opportunity to exchange perspectives, deepen relationships, and explore how leadership can empower meaningful change, both within organizations and across industries.
