The 2012 Women Leaders in Consulting: Theresa Brown

She is an accomplished business leader with proven strategy development, business process management, technology integration, vendor and large team management in the Capital Markets, Banking and Technology domains.

"I'm lucky because I really enjoy the energy of constant change in my work," Brown says. "I love the client interaction, the challenge of 'solutioning' and delivering value for the client."

Good thing because Brown has managed a number of large multi-million dollar and cross-firm initiatives, including program managing the launch of the Canadian Fixed Income Central Counterparty Clearing, the implementation of a major North American Alternative Trading System, the build and launch of the U.S. Rates Desk for a North American broker/dealer, and the enterprise integration testing for the post-merger integration of two U.S. banks.

"I love helping clients succeed. I'm energized by the challenge, the drive for innovation and the opportunity to work with really smart co-workers. And I'm enjoying the opportunity to take more of a leadership role in Capco and furthering the development of our teams," she says. "And the entrepreneurial Capco culture also very much suits my results-oriented personality. I am empowered to focus on my clients and my teams without the limitations of internal politics or bureaucracy."

Brown says she thinks it's an exciting time for women in consulting because "the market has never been more dynamic and strong and leaders capable of innovation and delivery excellence are in demand," she says. "Consulting is about building a trusted relationship with your clients and your teams, something women do very well—so I believe the opportunities are plentiful."

She says she would encourage female consultants just starting out to embrace opportunities to learn and grow your skill sets. "Take on challenging assignments, push your boundaries, and you'll likely discover your capabilities are greater than you knew. Focus on developing deep, broad roots first and have fun—really enjoy your career," she says.

"And, when you become more established, remember to pay it forward: you'll be lucky enough to have some key people help you along the way—ensure you do the same when you get a chance."

And when asked to share her greatest achievement, Brown says that she'd "like to think that my greatest accomplishments are still to come, and that I have a continued capacity to develop and grow both professionally and personally," she says. "It's definitely been an exhilarating ride to-date; I have truly enjoyed the journey. I've had all sorts of adventures and experiences thus far, but I'm excited and motivated by what the future holds and the next opportunities and challenges."