Kirsten Barker

Discover Kirsten Barker's rejoiner story at PwC since joining as an Associate in Ireland to now being a Director in Internal Firm Services in Switzerland. 

What is something surprising that most people don’t know about you?

From the age of eight, I aspired to become a psychologist to help my grandfather after his stroke. I went on to complete my master’s in Clinical Psychology with the intention of undertaking a doctorate, which would enable me to practise as a psychologist.

However, life took an unexpected turn—I fell in love, got married, moved from Auckland to London, and started my first job at Goldman Sachs on Fleet Street. This was followed by a year-long stint with PwC on a client site in Galway, Ireland. After several years in the corporate world—travelling, seeing the world, then returning to New Zealand to rejoin PwC and have three children—I attempted to return to university to complete the elusive doctorate.

Unfortunately, I missed out and felt like a total failure, as this had been my aspiration for so long. But where there are storms, there are often silver linings. A few months later, I was offered a global role back at PwC, which ultimately led to me meeting Fabian Schwery at a conference in Lisbon. He was looking for someone with my coaching and facilitation skills to join his team in Zurich.

So, at the age of 42, together with my husband and three boys, we embarked on the most incredible journey—transferring from Auckland to Zurich. I’ve never looked back, and my dream of becoming a psychologist is now well and truly dead and buried.

What is the most valuable lesson you learnt during your time at PwC?

Be the master of your own career and know who has your back. All in all, I’ve been at PwC for around 20 years—across five different regions/territories, four different Lines of Service, and three unique roles/areas of specialisation.

I have always sought out mentors and sponsors to support me on my personal career journey. I remember Bruce Baille at PwC New Zealand helping me transition from internal HR into consulting when I was on the brink of leaving PwC to join a law firm. Alan Sinclair supported me in moving back from consulting to an internal role when I was pregnant with twins. In Switzerland, Dieter Wirth has been a great mentor, helping me to understand Swiss culture and how to adapt and succeed in a new environment.

A New Zealander in Switzerland runs the risk of being “like an elephant in a porcelain store” if they don’t appreciate the nuances of Swiss culture!

How did you stay connected with your former colleagues and the PwC community after leaving for the first time? And how did you benefit from the alumni network?

I’m a boomerang employee, having joined PwC four times—yet only one of those occasions involved a formal application and interview process. This is a testament to the power of relationships and connections.

PwC people are my kind of people, and some of my closest friendships have been formed through the teams I’ve been part of over the years. During my time with the firm, I’ve visited over 30 PwC offices around the world, experiencing “magic moments“ that have allowed me to build strong bonds with incredible colleagues. We stay in touch and reconnect when it makes sense—LinkedIn, of course, plays a key role in this.

Did you visit one of our after-work parties and / or events as a PwC alumni?

Having experienced PwC both as an employee and an alumnus, I make a conscious effort to stay connected with colleagues who have pursued careers outside of the firm. So yes, whenever there’s an opportunity to reconnect, I always make every effort to attend. Maintaining relationships and connections is incredibly important.

What did you miss about PwC and what has changed since you re-joined?

My longest stint away from PwC was from 2010 to 2013, when I took time out to be a full-time mum to my three boys. I missed my friends, wearing suits and heels, the projects, the problem-solving… and generally just the corporate world and the sense of being part of a leading global organisation.

The biggest change when I rejoined was the brand. When I left, it was still PricewaterhouseCoopers, with the blue colour palette and a reputation for being the "black suit brigade." When I returned, it was PwC with the orange logo. With this brand shift came a noticeable easing of some of the more old-school formality—no more ties for the men, and I packed away my old black suits in favour of a more creative, casual style.

What skills, experiences and / or accomplishments are you most proud of in your career so far?

I started as an Associate in Ireland and have progressed to being a Director in Switzerland. I feel proud of my journey, especially given how I’ve zig-zagged across the world and even paused my career for around eight years to focus on my family.

My greatest accomplishments include:

• Working with both PwC’s clients and internally within the firm to lead immersive sessions—whether in a forest, up a mountain, in a retreat hotel, or an Experience Centre—delivering on the mandate to create the conditions that enable leaders and teams to find breakthrough solutions for their complex challenges, always in the most creative way possible.
• Being a role model for my three now-teenage sons. As a working mum with a global career, I’ve shown them first-hand what’s possible—they even joined me in New York on one of my work trips! Their eyes are wide open to the opportunities around them, and they’ve seen how I navigate both challenges and successes. I’d like my legacy to be about how I inspire them to embrace careers where they too can make a difference.

What hobbies or interests do you pursue outside of work, and how do they impact your professional life?

The usual things—skiing, being in the mountains, travelling, and exploring new places. During the Covid years, our boys convinced us to get a dog… we gave in, and now we have Roxy the Pug—the best decision ever! Roxy plays a key role in helping me maintain work-life balance, from early morning walks along Lake Zurich to evening strolls with my husband.

I firmly believe that it’s my responsibility to keep myself fit and healthy, so I prioritise time for gym workouts, time in the mountains, yoga, and connecting with friends. When I do this, work comes far more naturally—especially in a role like mine, where I need to be highly creative and full of energy.