The 2018 Women Leaders in Consulting: Kara Murphy

"Like many, I assumed my time at Bain would be short, a springboard to future opportunities; but as the years went by, I found that my love for the job seemed to grow," Murphy says. "I feel very lucky to be a Bainie."

Today, Murphy is a Partner at Bain & Company and co-head of the firm's Healthcare Private Equity Team, which she founded in 2008.  She is also co-author of the annual Healthcare Private Equity report, now in its sixth year. 

"I get a great deal of satisfaction from teaming with my private equity clients to help them make the right investment decisions, as well as working with portfolio companies and clients to help them drive their business to full potential," Murphy says. "Leading the Bain teams that drive these results with our clients is also exceptionally fulfilling."

She also works with corporate clients across the healthcare value chain on issues ranging from M&A to growth strategy to performance improvement. However, some of the most rewarding and enjoyable parts of the job are mentoring and developing young consultants, and learning from colleagues. 

Professionally, she's proud to be the founder and one of the co-leaders of Bain's Healthcare Private Equity team. "Healthcare private equity consulting is one area where the firm is a clear leader, and I take great joy in watching the team grow and thrive, as the healthcare sector becomes an increasingly important vertical market for private equity investment," Murphy says. "My greatest achievement so far has been effectively balancing my Bain career with my family life. Personally, I'm proud to be a wife and a mom to three kids. It brings me immense satisfaction to be able to attend nearly all of their soccer practices and games to cheer them on from the sidelines." 

Meanwhile, her advice to a young consultant would be to pursue a career path that combines the following: "work that you're passionate about and good at; a job that gives you the ability to build your expertise, and offers significant growth potential and a chance to flex your entrepreneurial muscle; and finally, opportunities to work with teams and mentors who inspire you and that help you create work-life balance for the long-term," she says.

Q&A: What does winning the Women Leaders in Consulting award mean to you?

Murphy: "I'm so pleased and humbled to be recognized by the industry and alongside such an esteemed group of women.  I share this award with the entire Bain Healthcare Private Equity team and my Bain colleagues around the world.  I am grateful for the opportunity to pursue a career I love at a company that I love.  I hope that my story inspires others to be entrepreneurial and pursue their dream professional and personal path."