The 2018 Rising Stars of the Profession: Suzanne Jenkins

Suzanne Jenkins says sometimes she just needs to get out of her own way. "Something I've realized, through coaching and reflection, is that I can often be the person holding myself back from doing my best work—not anyone else," Jenkins says. "Learn from your mistakes, continue to take risks, be your biggest advocate. Every single challenge is an opportunity, it just needs to be reframed."

What Jenkins has accomplished in her six years at Slalom is nothing short of incredible. Her career has skyrocketed, and along with it the firm's Bay Area Retail business. In her current role as Client Service Lead, Jenkins manages one of the largest retail accounts in the Bay Area portfolio and one of the most influential companies in the industry.

She's helping to shape the future of Retail by partnering with clients to define solutions to solve their most complex retail problems and to create compelling experiences to deliver on their customer promise.

"I love the dynamic nature of consulting—no two projects, clients or even days are the same. It keeps me on my toes and always in a learning orientation," Jenkins says. "What has always been true, however, is that new opportunity lies ahead—and that's exciting!"

Jenkins says she's been able to accelerate her career at Slalom, and has held a variety of leadership roles in just the five years she's been here. She's taken on people management in Slalom's largest practice area, led the launch of the firm's analyst program in San Francisco, and she's now managing one of the firm's long-standing partnerships in Retail.

At Slalom, Jenkins says she feels set up to go after what she's really passionate about. "I am given the autonomy, resources and support to think big and create innovative solutions for my clients," she says.