Latasha Desideria

“Chasing growth with persistence and new experiences; turning what-ifs into realities.”

McKinsey Office: Jakarta, Indonesia

Hometown: Jakarta, Indonesia

MBA Program and Concentration: University of Oxford, Saïd Business School, Finance

Undergraduate School, Major: University of Indonesia, Economics (Monetary Economics)

What was your favorite thing about your MBA program? For me, an MBA was about blending rigorous learning with a transformative life experience. I was excited by the opportunities for my professional growth and development, but personally, my decision to attend Oxford for my MBA program was about more than what the business school offered—it was about becoming part of the wider Oxford university and immersing in its rich traditions. Plus, I managed to tick off quite a few bucket-list travels along the way!

Can you describe your proudest pre-McKinsey accomplishment? In what area(s) do you have considerable knowledge or expertise? My proudest moments came from a series of “small wins” when I first took a leap of faith to gain international experience through competitions. Having studied in local schools, this wasn’t something I grew up with. During undergrad, I pushed myself to join international competitions in areas that I wasn’t naturally good at—and fortunately, it paid off. The experiences took me places, like representing my university at one of the largest MUN conferences in Europe, reaching the Asia-Pacific regional finals of a prestigious finance competition, and more. These “small wins” shaped my confidence and inspired me to dream bigger even until today.

If I had to pick one expertise, I’d say I have mostly immersed myself in financial service, especially throughout my early career.  I started off my career as a Management Associate at HSBC, specifically working under its commercial banking department. That role gave me a foundation in banking. However, I realized that I wanted broader exposure to the financial service area, which led me to shift my career into consulting. Over time, I’ve developed deep expertise in financial services, which continues to be my focus at McKinsey.

Why did you choose McKinsey over other consulting firms or other industries? Initially, I wanted a role that could provide me with the opportunity to see the bigger picture of the financial service sector. Unlike in banking, where roles can quickly become narrow, the consultant role in McKinsey exposed me to a multiple spectrum and challenges in financial services, allowing me to build on my strength. Moreover, the firm has longstanding relationships with the most prominent financial institutions in the region, making the job even more interesting. For an aspiring professional, I knew joining McKinsey was the right decision for me.

But most importantly, the firm has grown to be my home as I spent almost three years of my career there before pursuing my MBA. Therefore, it has been certain for me that I wanted to go back to the Firm even after I finish my MBA program.

What were you most excited about when you accepted your full-time offer? What is something you didn’t know to be excited about then, but you are now? I was thrilled to return to the Jakarta office. It’s smaller than some global offices, which makes it close-knit, and I had already built strong friendships here before my MBA. What surprised me most was how natural it felt to return—like a sense of coming home. I was also excited to move into the associate role, which gave me the chance to work and gain exposure to work with a different set of inspiring people.

Can you share a time you received mentorship while at McKinsey? How has it made you better? Mentorship has shaped my career from the beginning. Early on, I was mentored by leaders in Southeast Asia, including Eric Buntoro in Jakarta and Reet Chauduri in Singapore. They invested in my growth and sponsored me through my career shifts. They encouraged me to pursue an MBA, helped me through the process by reviewing my applications, and even endorsing my recommendation letter. Their support extended beyond client work to personal development, a culture that I have always appreciated.

If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice during the interview process, what would you say? The interview process is a mental game. It takes practice and persistence—success doesn’t come overnight. At first, you might feel unprepared or doubt yourself, but practice builds familiarity and sharpens your skill over time. Push through the exhausting preparation phase because hard work won’t betray you. That persistence pays off in the end.

What’s something you’ve learned here that you know will be useful for your entire career? Two skills stand out: Being structured and problem-solving. Structure helps you see the bigger picture, prioritize, and connect individual tasks to the overarching problem. Problem-solving is about curiosity—always asking “what if” and exploring possibilities. These skills shape how I work with teams and clients, and they will remain valuable no matter where my career takes me.

What’s an example of a time when a teammate challenged you, inspired you, or pushed you to think bigger or go further than you would have on your own? My very first McKinsey engagement challenged me to think bigger. We supported a local bank facing major difficulties and, within three months, we had to both diagnose the problems and mobilize thousands of people to execute solutions. This happened during COVID-19, so we worked remotely under intense pressure. Despite the challenges, I was given the ownership to drive my workstream, supported by my EMs and teammates. Their guidance and encouragement pushed me to grow quickly and deliver beyond what I thought I could.

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