Careers

Before coming to McKinsey I was an elementary school teacher in Houston. Immediately, working at McKinsey was different and new. I was working with clients at leading organizations, which was scary but fun. Going from teaching 2nd graders to helping CEOs was a difficult transition, but I felt supported along the way with the backup and resources I needed. I worked directly with an engagement manager who focused on mentoring me during my first months. I learned so much. Ultimately it was far more educational than work I had done previously.

Why I joined McKinsey

I wasn’t planning on consulting as my next career move; however during the interview process the people, the work they did and even the cases we discussed completely won me over. I started as a business analyst in the Chicago office in 2003.

Making my own McKinsey

At the end of my two year business analyst program I interviewed for positions with other corporations and also considered grad school. However, I felt I wasn’t ready to leave McKinsey. I had been involved in diversity recruiting, and felt passionate about the issue. I felt strongly that McKinsey’s Midwest office would benefit from adding a full time role focused on diversity initiatives. I talked with my Partner mentor and other firm leaders and proposed the new role to them. The Midwest leadership group agreed and offered me the position. We did a complete assessment of recruiting and professional development issues across our minority populations and conducted our first Midwest Women’s conference. Within a year we significantly improved connectivity and mentorship opportunities in our diversity groups. After a year in this role, I took a break from McKinsey to attend law school. I returned to McKinsey as an associate and continued on my consulting career path with a focus on finance and banking.

Friends, Mentors and Learning Together

I love my colleagues. I literally consider them family; they’re amazing. They are mentors and friends and so diverse and interesting; they inspire me every single day. That’s probably the best thing about McKinsey. In addition, I love learning and being challenged, and I can’t think of another place with the developmental pace that McKinsey has. Law school was really challenging, and I learned a lot, but at McKinsey I have learned to use and incorporate frameworks that are applicable to my entire life, while working with colleagues who are also friends.

GLAM

Gays and Lesbians at McKinsey (GLAM) has been a huge part of the people dynamic at McKinsey for me. We have a global community that is growing rapidly. Coming back after law school I felt like GLAM was part of my family – and these people continue to inspire and motivate me.

At our recent global GLAM conference, there was a huge international presence and several women. Our conferences focus on connectivity. We make hanging out, having drinks and talking a priority. There’s also a healthy attention to our relevance and mission for GLAM; discussing what we want to achieve next, both internally at the Firm and externally in our community.

What I do in my free time / my hobbies

My wife was a professional musician before going back to school. We’ve been putting on house concerts as well as showcases at international music festivals for the past several years. We do one every few months. We also have dogs and we enjoy spending time with them.

Offices

Education