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Jonathan Law

Senior Partner

Supports education organizations and state, provincial, and local governments design and implement major initiatives that advance inclusive growth

Jonathan Law currently leads McKinsey’s global Education Practice and previously led the firm’s economic development work in North America. He also supports a number of state, provincial, and local governments and agencies across North America on large-scale initiatives related to crisis response, economic development, infrastructure, operations, and workforce development.

Examples of his recent client work include the following:

  • developing comprehensive, long-range academic strategies for higher education institutions to improve student and research outcomes
  • undertaking programs to deliver the near-term student and financial outcomes for education institutions
  • supporting educational institutions in building new learning enterprises and merging with other organizations in order to advance education access and to improve affordability
  • creating inclusive-growth strategies to accelerate the economies of cities, states, and provinces, and to improve the well-being of their residents
  • designing and building innovation districts to promote research, commercialization, and entrepreneurship
  • providing support to governments to respond to major crises
  • working with government departments and infrastructure agencies to improve their operations, deliver better outcomes for residents, and ensure long-term financial sustainability
  • partnering with philanthropies to expand and improve the economic opportunities of underserved and vulnerable populations

Jon is passionate about working with education, public sector, and philanthropic clients to create a more inclusive economy. He has published on topics related to education access and affordability, inclusive economic growth, and on workforce development.

Before joining McKinsey, Jon spent time in government and trained as a lawyer.

Published work

Rewriting the script: LA’s opportunity for inclusive economic growth,” McKinsey & Company, December 2023

What do higher education students want from online learning?,” McKinsey & Company, June 2023

Fulfilling the potential of US higher education,” McKinsey & Company, March 2023

Taking a skills-based approach to building the future workforce,” McKinsey & Company, November 2022

Racial and ethnic equity in US higher education,” McKinsey & Company, July 2022

Using machine learning to improve student success in higher education,” McKinsey & Company, April 2022

Twelve insights for an inclusive economic recovery for New York City,” McKinsey & Company, October 2021

COVID-19 crisis pushes US students into an uncertain job market,” McKinsey & Company, July 2021

The case for inclusive growth,” McKinsey & Company, April 2021

Shaping university boards for 21st century higher education in the US,” McKinsey & Company, November 2020

Reimagining higher education in the United States,” McKinsey & Company, October 2020

Lessons for US governors and mayors planning a second term,” McKinsey & Company, August 2020

Reimagining the postpandemic economic future,” McKinsey & Company, August 2020

Lessons from the past on how to revive the US economy after COVID-19,” McKinsey & Company, June 2020

COVID-19 and US higher education enrollment: Preparing leaders for fall,” McKinsey & Company, May 2020

Coronavirus: How should US higher education plan for an uncertain future?,” McKinsey & Company, April 2020

Coronavirus and the campus: How can US higher education organize to respond?,” McKinsey & Company, March 2020

Defining the role of a state chief operating officer,” McKinsey & Company, April 2019

How can the private and public sectors work together to create smart cities,” McKinsey & Company, January 2019

Coordinating workforce development across stakeholders: An interview with ManpowerGroup CEO Jonas Prising,” McKinsey & Company, October 2018

The AI factor in talent management: An interview with Catalyte’s Jacob Hsu and Mike Rosenbaum,” McKinsey & Company, September 2018

Adapting education to the demands of a rapidly changing economy: An interview with Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley,” McKinsey & Company, August 2018

How higher-education institutions can transform themselves using advanced analytics,” McKinsey & Company, August 2018

Creating an effective workforce system for the new economy,” McKinsey & Company, July 2018

Urban world: Meeting the demographic challenge in cities,” McKinsey Global Institute, October 2016

The future city: Delivering change in urban economics,” McKinsey & Company, The Art and Science of Delivery, April 2013

From potential to action: Bringing social impact bonds to the US,” McKinsey & Company, March 2012

Needs-based segmentation: Helping nonprofits take outreach to the next level,” McKinsey & Company, July 2010

Past experience

NYCEDC
Project manager

United Nations
Associate program officer

Education

Columbia Law School
JD

Harvard University
AB, social studies