How a McKinsey alum helps executives rediscover purpose at work
Svea von Hehn has spent over a decade helping professionals find purpose in their careers. Her consulting firm, Return on Meaning, works with global companies and senior leaders. Yet she often meets people who feel unfulfilled despite holding prestigious roles. Von Hehn launched her business 14 years ago after a stint as an engagement manager for McKinsey in Dubai. There, she observed how high-achieving employees could still feel dissatisfied with their work.
Today, her team partners with multinational corporations and top executives. Alongside this, she runs a pro bono programme teaching mindfulness at a Berlin primary school. The contrast between corporate consulting and classroom sessions reflects her belief in balancing professional success with personal meaning. Her firm continues to advise major organisations while addressing a wider issue: job dissatisfaction among those who seem to have it all. The school project remains a hands-on reminder of her mission—helping people reconnect with what matters beyond titles and salaries.
