Full Name: Alex Wills
Current Role: General Manager, Energy – Asia Pacific & Latin America
Current Organisation: Nike
Last Role at PwC: Consultant
Time at PwC: 2013 – 2015
What’s your fondest memory from your time at PwC?
My fondest memories from PwC are less about a single moment and more about the people. I know it sounds cliche, but I was surrounded by smart, driven teammates who genuinely wanted to do great work. Being pushed early in my career to operate in unfamiliar situations allowed me to build a lot of confidence. There’s something formative about being trusted with responsibility before you feel completely ready. You learn quickly, you develop resilience, and you start to back yourself. That mindset has stayed with me ever since.
I also have fond memories of suiting up for our Tuesday night social basketball team – The “PriceWaterhouseHoopers”! with Julian McCarthy, Jack Mullin, Jay Edmondson, and our deep bench of accountants... 😉
How did your experience at PwC support or shape your career path? Are there any skills or lessons from your time at PwC that you still find valuable in the work you do today?
PwC gave me a foundation I still rely on daily. The discipline of structured problem-solving, understanding how businesses work, and being comfortable with ambiguity were all shaped during those early years. Just as important was learning how to communicate, distill complexity, present a point of view, and back it up with data.
Even now, working in a creative, fast-moving global consumer business, those fundamentals matter. Accounting and Finance train you to see around corners, ask better questions, and stay grounded.
What first sparked your interest in accounting and finance, and why did you choose this path?
I was always drawn to both the creative and analytical sides of how businesses work. Accounting and finance felt like a universal language, and it gave me optionality and a way to understand any industry, anywhere in the world. Early on, I realized that if you truly understood the numbers, you earned credibility and influence well beyond the accounting/finance function.
Choosing this path was less about locking myself into a career and more about setting up a platform that could take me anywhere.
What motivated your move to Nike, and how did you navigate the shift to a fast-moving, global consumer brand?
Nike is a brand that’s been a part of my DNA as an athlete since I can remember. I was that kid practicing Michael Jordan’s moves in the driveway with my little brother, daily. It’s a brand that inspires and represents the intersection of sport, culture, and creativity, areas I’ve always been passionate about as a consumer. The move from Los Angeles to Portland was tough at first (mostly weather related), but I love Portland now, as does my family and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Navigating the shift from start-ups to a global consumer brand required humility and curiosity. I asked a lot of questions, listened deeply, built my network, and worked hard to understand the culture before trying to change anything.
What have you learnt from operating across different regions and cultures, and how has that influenced your leadership?
Working across Asia, Pacific and Latin America has reinforced that there’s no single blueprint for success. Context matters, culture, consumer behaviour, infrastructure, and local nuance all shape outcomes.
As a leader, that’s pushed me to shift from having answers to creating space: empowering local teams, listening more than speaking, and recognizing that the best ideas often come from the edges rather than the centre. Diverse teams don’t just drive better results, they drive better thinking, which is essential in a global business.
What guidance would you share with early-career CAs aiming for roles in global organisations?
Back yourself earlier than feels comfortable. The CA qualification gives you credibility and mobility. Be open to moves that don’t look linear on paper but build range and perspective.
It’s equally as important to invest in relationships, stay curious beyond your technical lane, and don’t underestimate the power of doing the fundamentals exceptionally well.
What's your favourite book or podcast and why?
Phil Jackson’s The Last Season is one of my favourite books because it’s as much a meditation on leadership and humanity as it is a book about basketball. It recounts a turbulent season with a star studded Los Angeles Lakers and the way its written is almost poetic. What resonates most with me is how Phil leads with Zen. He doesn’t frame leadership as control or dominance, but as presence, awareness, and restraint, especially in moments of chaos.
My favourite podcast is Acquired. It tells the long‑form stories behind the world’s most iconic companies and how they were built. Highly recommend checking out the Rolex, Porsche and LVMH episodes!
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