Interview with alumnus Leon Meier

Leon studied Business Administration – Rethinking Economics with a practice partner and works at OATLY.

What do I do professionally?
Since October 2019, I have been working at OATLY Germany. I support the supermarkets where OATLY products are sold in field sales and give the brand a face at the point of sale. In addition, I am responsible for the distribution of our products and make sure they find the right place on the shelves. Of course, I am also the contact person for our customers’ questions, ideas, and concerns. 
On the side, I also work at Change&more gUG and, together with our team, develop innovative workshops for children in the areas of environmental awareness and mindfulness.

What did you learn at Alanus University?
When I tell people about the three years I was able to spend at Alanus University, I always say that Alanus turned me completely upside down. All my values, plans, views, and ideas were questioned, examined from other perspectives, and discussed endlessly. As my studies progressed, I found my way back to myself and organized all those impressions in my personal life. What I learned was that it is important to rethink things, read between the lines, and approach things with a holistic, mindful perspective. But also that, with all the thought experiments we engaged in, it is important not to lose sight of reality.
In my professional life, I definitely take with me that business administration does not mean ties, suits, and hierarchy, but authenticity, mindfulness, and clear statements. With the way of thinking taught at Alanus University, I always try in my work to find a good balance between what we still need from the old and proven and which things we would do better to rethink.

What is your most formative experience with Alanus University?
With all the impressions I gathered at Alanus University, it is hard for me to single out just one. Almost everything was formative. For me, however, the choir that always takes place in the autumn semester is a special symbol of what one can experience at Alanus University. A group of up to 50 people, all of whom could sing more or less well. With the necessary sense of community developed within the group (practically on the side), we suddenly had a moving, three-part sound that really got under your skin. We often had experiences like that. Mindfulness moves mountains… and straightens notes.

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Alanus University?
When I think of Alanus University, I immediately think of the mild summer evenings by the construction trailer on Campus 2 – Villestraße. Good people, good conversations, and always something to laugh about. Everyone barefoot, someone playing guitar. Just now eurythmy, now beer and Premium Cola. Someone conjures banana bread out of a bag that looks inedible but tastes great. But then of course also the super inspiring lectures by Dutch architects and Hamburg caffeine-drink people.

What do you miss when you think of Alanus?
I would not say that I miss anything. For me, my time at Alanus University was incredibly enriching. But it also came to an end at exactly the right time. Toward the end of the three years, it felt completely natural to do something different now. Still, I am truly grateful for the experiences I was able to have at Alanus University.

What do you wish for Alanus University?
That it continues to maintain its innovative spirit in all areas and to live what it teaches itself. I hope this special place will be around for a long time to come! (…although a bigger cafeteria would not be bad either.)