Kirsten Nordlof

Kirsten Nordlof

Global Head of Tax & Statutory Reporting, VP, at Uber

Discovering a passion for tax law

During a recent conversation, Kirsten Nordlof talked about her path from Idaho to California, why she thinks tax is cool, the importance of making connections at work, and her family’s camper van.

What were your early years like?

I grew up in a rural part of northern Idaho and both of my parents had public interest careers. My mom ran a community food bank and a program for children with disabilities. Then she went back to school and she worked in the special education department of a public school. My dad ran a rural Legal Aid clinic, and he was also a VISTA volunteer, which is kind of like the Peace Corps in the US. Later in my life, he ran a labor union for public school employees. All of which is to say, I had zero insight into the business world when I was growing up.

So how did you get interested in tax?

Well, during my last semester of law school, I realized I didn’t like being in the courtroom. So a professor suggested that I enroll in some transaction classes, and it turns out, I guess I had a knack for tax. I ended up getting a full scholarship to the tax master's program at the University of Washington Law School, and I got my first job at PwC through that program.

On your LinkedIn page, you’re wearing a t-shirt that says “Tax is cool.” Tell us more about that.

I like that tax doesn’t require brinkmanship. It’s like a big jigsaw puzzle, so it’s about how you interpret and apply the law. If you do it right, the puzzle fits and everybody pays the right amount of taxes. But, if you don't put it together correctly, it's broken and then you have to figure out why.

How was your experience at PwC?

I had a really great experience in the M&A practice. I had the opportunity to work in the San Francisco office twice. I went to the D.C. office for a few years. And I spent 20 weeks in Berlin as part of a really great leadership training program, which was like a mini-MBA program. I learned how to run meetings, lead seminars, train people, communicate clearly, and think strategically. Honestly, I still use those skills and that network today—I just spoke to one of the partners from PwC India who I met in that program.

Reflecting on your career at this point, what makes you most proud?

The impact I've had on the people who I've been able to help grow and develop, the teams that I've built, the relationships and the network.

Any words of advice you can offer others?

Never underestimate the power of relationships. In fact, I think I was suggested for my current role at Uber through a relationship that I built when I was at PwC. And when I say relationships are important, it’s more than just checking a box. It's about spending the time to develop personal connections with people and build trust. How? You have to be vulnerable. You have to share personal stories. And you have to ask for help when you need it. In my experience, that’s how you build relationships that make a difference, and make friends, which is what really makes work fun.

What’s the most fun thing about working at Uber?

It’s really complex and interesting in a way that I wasn't even prepared for when I took the job, which is a lot of fun. It’s exciting to be part of a company that’s continually evolving and reinventing itself. To work here, you really have to be able to move fast and be agile.

Can you share some of what you’re working on?

My team is about 175 people, spread across San Francisco, Amsterdam, Singapore, India, Brazil, Mexico City, and other places. Together, we’re focused on operations and helping run the business. We also meet with policymakers to talk about the gig economy and what we offer. We work with taxation authorities and legislative bodies to shape policy, and we participate in the OECD discussions about international global policy. Sometimes we also have to challenge rules in court. We're usually driving not necessarily to a specific tax answer, but to a level playing field for the gig economy and a reduction of complexity in reporting.

What’s something about you that might surprise people?

I have a camper van, and I love camping!

Where do you like to go?

At Uber, we have a work-from-anywhere policy for four weeks every year. So in the summer, I take my kids to north Idaho, back to my hometown. Our big goal there is trying to do as many trifecta days as we can. That’s when we bike, hike, and swim in the lake all in one day. Those days are the best. We also love camping in the Pacific Northwest and in northern California, where we can camp on the beach and hike in the redwoods. It's really beautiful.

Anything you wished you had known sooner in life?

It's okay to slow down and be strategic. Don't get so angsty about promotion speed and what's next. Just focus on being really good at what you're doing.