Kati ter Horst on being a first-time CEO when the old rules are gone

Kati ter Horst leads Outokumpu, the world's leader in sustainable stainless steel, at a moment when the old assumptions of globalization are breaking down.In this episode of Leaders Unplugged, she joins IMD President David Bach to discuss her transition from board member to first-time CEO, and how she is building a new strategy for her colleagues in nearly 30 countries, while navigating tariffs, AI, and geopolitical conflicts.Kati’s warning is direct: “the rules are gone.” Her call to action is equally clear: “Europe can compete.” And one of her key learnings from the first 18 months as CEO? “You have to protect your time.”Our guest:Kati ter Horst is President and CEO of Outokumpu, the Helsinki-based global leader in sustainable stainless steel. She has been in the role since October 2024, after nearly a decade on the company’s board. Before Outokumpu, she held senior leadership roles at Stora Enso and Aliaxis, gaining deep experience in manufacturing, sustainability, and large-scale transformation.