Our McKinsey on Lives & Legacies series honors and celebrates global leaders, executives, innovators, and pioneers who left an indelible mark on the business community and beyond. Revisit ten profiles of inspiring leaders we covered this year to explore their contributions, accomplishments, and societal impact.
Anupam ‘Tino’ Puri
McKinsey senior partner created a market for consulting in India
- He led efforts to establish McKinsey’s first office in India in 1992 and is widely credited with creating the country’s management consulting market. Over a 30-year career at McKinsey, he led several global regions, advised governments and corporations worldwide, and mentored generations of colleagues. Read more
Richard Parsons
Diplomatic executive helped steer Citigroup and Time Warner through storms
- Known for his calm leadership, he stabilized companies like Time Warner after the AOL merger and Citigroup after the 2008 crisis. One of America’s most powerful Black executives, he credited his wife for inspiring his career and later supported ventures by women and people of color. Read more
Roslyn Jaffe
Entrepreneurial mom cofounded discount Dressbarn chain
- She launched a bargain-priced apparel store with her husband aimed at busy, budget-conscious women, helping grow it into a retail empire that included brands such as Dressbarn, Ann Taylor, Lane Bryant, and Loft. The Jaffes funded Columbia University scholarships for Peace Corps volunteers who returned to teach in New York public schools. Read more
Bernard Marcus
Home Depot cofounder imagined a new way to sell hardware
- After being fired from another hardware store, he co-founded Home Depot, pioneering the warehouse-style home-improvement store that appealed to pros and DIY-ers alike. The chain grew to more than 2,300 stores, and Marcus later donated more than $2.7 billion to causes including health care, autism support, and cultural institutions. Read more
Michael R. Quinlan
McDonald’s CEO expanded global reach
- The first in his family to attend college, he rose from McDonald’s mailroom to the position of CEO, leading rapid international expansion from 1987 to 1998 while introducing healthier menu options. A devoted alumnus of Loyola University, he donated tens of millions to education and served as a life trustee of Ronald McDonald House Charities. Read more
Osamu Suzuki
Suzuki Motor chief seized a big opportunity in India
- He led Suzuki Motor for more than four decades and transformed India’s auto market through a joint venture that launched the successful Maruti 800; in recent years, Suzuki has more than 40 percent of the India market. Known for saying “A diamond sparkles even if it is small,” he helped make Suzuki a dominant force in small cars and motorcycles. Read more
Michael Halbye
McKinsey leader was a master of mentorship and client service
- He spent more than 30 years at McKinsey, serving as a senior partner, regional leader, and member of the firm’s governing body, earning a reputation as one of its most respected figures and earning the nickname “Mr. McKinsey.” After leaving the firm, he became vice chairman of Kirkbi, the parent company of Lego, and remained active in philanthropy. Read more
Glenn Renwick
Progressive CEO tailored auto insurance prices to drivers’ behavior
- With a 32-year career at Progressive, he was CEO from 2001 to 2016 and championed data-driven pricing, including usage-based auto insurance. He was known for decisive ethical leadership, including sweeping claims payouts after Hurricane Katrina. Twice he was listed as one of Forbes’ “40 Most Admired CEOs in the World.” Read more
George Feldenkreis
Immigrant built apparel empire around the Perry Ellis brand
- After studying law in Havana, he fled Cuba in 1961 with $700 in his pocket and started over by importing automotive parts. After switching to clothing, he eventually acquired the Perry Ellis brand, creating a successful cluster of labels. Feldenkreis endowed a Judaic studies program at the University of Miami, where he served as a trustee. Read more
Eleanor Maguire
Scientist studied the brains of street-smart London cab drivers
- She was a neuroscientist whose research on the hippocampus region of London taxi drivers showed that the adult brain can physically change in response to learning and experience, influencing later research in neuroscience and artificial intelligence. She was the PhD supervisor of AI pioneer Demis Hassabis, who later cofounded Google DeepMind. Read more
Read more stories about leaders who had outsized impact during their lives by exploring the McKinsey on Lives & Legacies collection page.