MBA Alumnus, class 2008
Chief Risk Officer, Member of Management Board, SEB Latvia
Chairman of the Supervisory Council, SOS Children’s Villages Latvia
Senator, SOS Children Villages International
Co-chair of the Lending Committee, the Finance Latvia Association
Member of the Board, Baltic Institute of Corporate Governance

The best advice I received is from my Swedish boss many years ago after a big, big mistake. He said that now a lot has been invested into my education and I need to put it to good use. He also said that, with the experience and mistakes I have made, I am more worthy, while having the right attitude as well as willingness to improve, than a person that has not made any mistakes.

I’m most proud of my relatives. And of SOS Children’s villages and all the people that I can try to help to make Latvia an even better place. Jointly healing and helping one person at a time.

People would be surprised that I am more shy and introverted than they can ever assume. Only those ones who have  known me since childhood believe that.

I don’t believe it when someone says that I don’t have time for that. People that are dead don’t have time. The ones that are alive have time, but might have different priorities. I forbid myself (and sometimes also others) to say “I don’t have time for this”. I insist on this being rephrased to “it is not my current priority”.

I believe that the biggest enemy and challenge for everyone is himself. The same for me! How can I continue to develop? How can I be a good person? How do I remain relevant? Those challenges remain with us forever. To quote Breakfast at Tiffany’s – “you are in a cage and you have built it yourself … wherever you go”.

Definition of relaxation is doing something different that gives you satisfaction. It is therefore not lying hopelessly on a bed. So my relaxation is The Economist, books, learning things and sometimes reflective walks in the forest or along the sea.

I always use Winston Churchill’s suggestion: “If you are going through hell, keep going.” That’s the only way not to remain in hell. Try to have a stoic mentality and try to endure whatever life throws at you. There are periods when you celebrate that you have survived one day, then another, then a week then maybe a month. And then, hopefully, you have kept going and you are not in hell anymore. Not the most inspiring thing to say – but again, harsh truth is better than sweet lies.