The Global Leaders in Consulting: Larry Raff

To Raff, consulting can be like when you are were a kid and got up in the morning and saw fresh snow on the ground.  "The idea that the day ahead is filled with new opportunities and everything is open for new ideas allowing us to move forward in new and different ways," Raff says. "In consulting every day is like waking up to fresh snow."

Raff has depth and expertise in business transformation, process redesign, reactive and predictive risk analysis and innovation led transformations. In addition to serving as the U.S. and global lead of KPMG Spectrum, Raff has recently been promoted to lead the KPMG National Markets practice where he will help tailor innovative solutions to meet client needs.

"I always question—am I making a difference? Am I making a difference with clients, in the market, with our people, and within our firm?"

The answer is almost always is yes. But Raff says his greatest accomplishment—first and foremost, is his family. "My wife and my children inspire and motivate me every day, which enables me to be the best version of myself." 

From a professional standpoint, Raff has two measures of success, which make the biggest impact—clients, and talent. "First, did I bring ideas to clients that help them achieve their objective, and change how they're working? And second, did I promote talent and create an environment where we will continue to be innovative and grow?"

Those have been key factors to success. But others include, he says, all the people that came before him— clients, partners, family, and friends; it takes a lot of people. But the most important fator, he says, is never settling. "We must be willing to challenge the status quo, to encourage others to do the same, and to give them the freedom to do so."

Q&A:  What does being recognized as a Global Leader in Consulting mean to you? Your firm? Your clients?

Raff: It's humbling. But it's also recognition that cultivating a culture of innovation, encouraging our clients and professionals to do new things in new ways, and continuously pushing hard does make a difference. For our firm it helps to continue to earn our clients' trust, which is critical to our business.