The 2011 Top 25 Consultants: Janet Crenshaw Smith

Such as young parents—both male and female—who want to be more involved with their kids. "We still have a business model that believes in face time. I don't care what we say; we still haven't figured out how to measure performance based on real output."

Ivy was launched in 1990 when three Ivy leaguers came together to do strategic planning but because the founders were all people of color, she says they often ended up having conversations with clients about diversity as a business enabler. As a result, Ivy launched a diversity practice that's now the core business, working exclusively with the C-level in large, multi-nationals, including Morgan Stanley, UBS and Loreal. "We'll work with a CEO to identify a diversity strategy. Often, it'll begin as a challenge and end as an opportunity."

Another challenge, and opportunity, is increasing the diversity of the profession, which is lagging way behind, she says. "It's something we absolutely need to address." Clients, who want their teams to look like them and their customers, ask Smith about it all the time. "I tell clients to let their consulting firms know it. The minute firms start hearing it from their clients, we'll see real change."

—J.K.