The recipe for a fulfilling career looks different for everyone. For Daniel Ek, it’s been about saying yes to opportunities, staying open-minded, and always giving that little extra.

Seven years ago, right after finishing his university studies, Daniel joined Volvo. Today, he is the CFO for Volvo Group Peru. But working in finance hasn’t always been Daniel’s dream.
“As a kid, I wanted to play football professionally,” he remembers. “While that didn’t happen, football brought so much value to my career. It’s given me mental resilience and a drive for growth, and it’s taught me how important teamwork is,” he continues.

While studying finance at university, he realized how much he liked numbers and hard facts, and found himself eager to start his career. “I really wanted to explore a multinational company and when it was time to apply for graduate programs after university, Volvo was my number one choice,” he says.

From football dreams to financial leadership

Starting in the 2018 graduate program, he quickly realized the breadth of opportunities within Volvo. “I rotated roles across different departments and had the opportunity to go to Brazil for an assignment. It was a great experience where I learned a lot, quickly,” he says.

Since then, Daniel’s career has been a worldwide adventure, taking him from Sweden to Brazil, Denmark, Japan, and now Peru. “Volvo’s size and global presence mean endless possibilities. You can develop as a specialist or generalist, move sideways or upwards, and explore different countries and cultures,” he explains.

But opportunities don’t just fall into your lap. As he explains: “I have been fortunate to have great managers who trusted me, like my first manager who supported my move to Japan. Yet, I’ve also worked hard to network, clearly express my ambitions, and say yes to challenges.”

Leading with purpose and giving back

Daniel’s drive to grow has always been fueled by more than just ambition. The people around him inspire him every day. And with his new assignment in Peru, leadership is at the heart of his journey.

“Already in my first experience leading a team, it helped me grow in empathy, delegation, and understanding how to bring out the best in others,” he shares. “Now I hope to serve as a mentor and to give back to other people what I have received from my mentors.”