Your Future

Chris Corkery

Global Procurement Consultant
A.T. Kearney Management Consultants
Shanghai, China

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, 1992, History, University of Oregon
Master of Business Administration, 2003, Thunderbird School of Global Management

Studying history at the UO was the starting point for Chris Corkery’s love of travel and international business. He spent his junior year immersed in Hungarian language and history at Juhasz Tyula University in Szeged, Hungary. “I was in Hungary when the Berlin Wall was coming down,” he says. “It was an incredible experience to be there while history was unfolding.”

Pushing out of his comfort zone gave him the edge that eventually launched his career, Corkery says. “Besides the required exchange courses, I took classes with the regular university population,” he says. “I was fascinated by the challenges of navigating culture, language, and work methods at the same time.” After graduation, Corkery returned to Hungary for a teaching position, then landed fellowships in Germany and China before continuing his education. “Living abroad all that time, I just caught the travel bug,” he laughs. “I knew I was destined for a career with an international focus.”

In his consulting work, Corkery specializes in Chinese transportation and supply chain procurement. Exactly what does that mean? “We consult with the top companies in the world, and provide help with logistics and transportation strategies; my focus is in China and Asia,” he explains. “The best part about my job is having a direct impact on the bottom line. I help companies lower their cost structure immediately, and give them an opportunity to be more competitive on a global basis.”