5 questions for Stefan Degen, CFO, Allpack Group AG and Konapharma AG

Stefan Degen is CFO of Allpack and Konapharma - two companies that operate in highly regulated markets. And yet he stands for a management style that is based on trust, personal responsibility and creative freedom. In this portrait, he talks about modern leadership, his unconventional path from carpenter to CFO - and why it takes more courage to stay true to yourself than to adapt.

What good is a coveted title if there is no room for maneuver? For our interview partner of the month Stefan Degen, one thing is clear: a title alone is not enough. Real fulfillment arises where design is possible - in both thought and action. As CFO of the Allpack Group AG and Konapharma AG Stefan Degen is responsible for finance, IT and ESG reporting - in a process-driven environment in which precision and security have top priority. And yet he describes his success primarily in terms of one thing: the ability to think entrepreneurially, take responsibility and make decisions independently - something that cannot be taken for granted in many organizations.

Stefan Degen's career began far away from figures and KPIs - in a workshop. He completed an apprenticeship as a carpenter and later acquired his business management skills through further commercial training and a bachelor's degree in business administration. This was followed by training as a qualified auditor, positions in SMEs, four years in one of the major auditing firms - and finally a switch to the corporate side. The common thread? Not status thinking, but the desire to get things moving.

Today, Stefan Degen co-manages two companies that operate in a challenging market environment - including pharmaceutical packaging, regulatory requirements, digital transformation and growing ESG pressure. Stefan Degen relies on clarity, personal responsibility and direct communication. His management philosophy is based on the principle of creating frameworks in which people can become effective - to develop rather than adapt.

In addition to his professional activities, he was also politically active for 12 years, including as a local councillor and district councillor. This experience has broadened his understanding of responsibility, but has also shaped his attitude: social issues, sustainability, the common good. Today, he is more purposefully committed - and expects those around him to always consider impact and purpose. Find out more about him in our interview of the month.

Mr. Degen, if you had taken a different path when you were younger, what would you have become?

"Computer scientist would have been a dream, but unfortunately I wasn't such a good student back then and didn't understand that school can be a means to an end. Today I see things very differently: if I have a goal, I can work towards it in a very focused way."

What is your favorite way to start your day?
"I usually start my day just before 6 a.m. with three sets of press-ups and a shower. Then it's straight to the office. This short routine gives me energy and a clear head. I don't need a long run-up in the morning - I prefer to get straight to work."

What does success mean to you personally?
"Organize your own daily routine as much as possible - both professionally and privately. For me, this is the basis for achieving the best possible outcome for everyone involved. I don't work well in rigid structures. For me, personal success means that I have a lot of freedom in how I achieve my goals - I can't perform personally in tight structures. This requires trust, but also clarity in collaboration. If I can work independently and at the same time have a carefree private life, then it works for me - that's a real balance."

"For me, personal success is the freedom to achieve my goals."
Stefan Degen

What would you work for free for a week?
"I have worked in politics for many years on a voluntary basis for society - as well as in associations. I also like to get involved in environmental and nature issues because they affect us all. After this intensive period, I have become more selective today. I think more carefully about where my commitment really makes a difference."

What was the best professional advice you ever received?
"Be authentic - even if not everyone likes it straight away. Some will only appreciate it at second glance, some may not appreciate it at all. But those you reach know that you mean it. A lot of things became easier for me when I actually put this advice into practice. Of course, you can get offended sometimes. I've certainly 'messed things up', as they say. But overall, I'm doing well with it. My team and my peers know where they stand with me - and that creates trust. That's particularly important in management positions: taking a stand, even if it's not always comfortable."

We would like to thank Mr. Degen for his contribution to this article.