Weidan Luo
Tell us a bit about yourself and your RHIM journey so far.
My name is Weidan Luo and I am currently working as Group Strategy Expert based in Vienna. Toward the end of my Master’s studies, I discovered that RHIM was launching its Global Trainee Program and especially the cross-country rotation caught my eyes, as I greatly enjoyed my exchange semesters abroad during university and saw this as a perfect chance to also gain some international work experience. I immediately applied for the Trainee Program and started as one of the first-generation Global Finance Trainees in 2020. During the two years, I had the chance to explore a range of functions such as Strategy, Corporate Treasury, Internal Audit & Risk & Compliance, CRM and eventually went to China for a cross-country rotation in the regional Finance team.
My landing position was in the Integration Management Office which is responsible for post-merger integrations. The team was newly established at that time and as the first team member alongside my manager, I was given a unique opportunity to help shape things from the ground up, drawing on the diverse experiences I had gained during my rotations. After nearly four years at RHIM, I was excited to return to where my journey began—joining the Strategy team once again. In this role, I can see an even more holistic picture and apply strategic thinking to support key initiatives.
What kind of projects have you worked on?
Due to the six-month rotation cycle within the trainee program, there wasn't always the chance to follow projects from the start until the end. However, each rotation provided valuable insights and significantly contributed to my professional development. I had the chance to support the preparation of the Strategy Dialogue for the Board of Directors, participate in risk assessments and an audit, assist the project manager overseeing the development of our Customer Portal and when I had my rotation in China, I even had to step in as the “interim regional Head of FP&A” until the vacancy was filled.
What has been a highlight of your experience with RHIM so far?
One of the highlights was clearly when I was serving as Integration Manager for an acquisition the company made in China. I had the chance to really work “on the ground”, to see the new plant and to build relations with our new colleagues. Furthermore, being involved in each workstream of the integration allowed me to gain a comprehensive understanding of the process and connect the dots across functions and cultures.
What do you appreciate most about RHIM’s culture?
What I appreciate most is the willingness of the company and the leaders to invest in and support the development of young talents.
What advice would you give to future trainees?
Choose your leader and learn from people you admire.