About Scott
Scott Desmarais is a principal in McKinsey’s Lagos office. He brings over 20 years of experience in strategy consulting, operations, and organization-performance improvement working with leading global corporations, governments, and social institutions. During his time with McKinsey, and in his previous consulting roles, he has lived and worked in numerous countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe.
Scott’s passion is sustainable economic- and social-development impact in emerging markets. Having studied development economics and worked in the public sector of some of Africa’s most challenging markets, Scott believes that a vibrant, growing private sector is essential to lasting economic development. McKinsey’s ability to serve as a catalyst for innovative local and regional approaches to economic development is unrivaled.
Scott is fluent in English, French, and Spanish. He also speaks a few African dialects (for example, Setswana, Lingala) from his years living and working in Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, South Africa, and Nigeria.
Education
| Wharton Graduate School of Finance |
MBA in multinational corporate finance |
| University of Pennsylvania |
MA in international relations |
| Joseph Lauder Institute of International Management |
French language fellow |
| Colorado College |
BA in international politics and economics |
| Chambre de Commerce de Paris |
Certificat d’études |