The 2019 Women Leaders in Consulting: Vidisha Suman

A.T. Kearney's Vidisha Suman knows what she wants and that has served her well throughout her career. And unlike many in the consulting profession, how Suman ended up in the profession, and in technology, was by no means by chance.

"It was definitely by design—and so was the decision to specialize in digital transformation," she says. "I have always wanted to be in the technology space, so I've spent half of my career exploring technology in the industry and other half through consulting."

Today, Suman is a Principal with A.T. Kearney's Digital Transformation practice. She has over 15 years of industry and consulting experience in the digital space supporting leading companies to become digitally enabled and achieve digital at scale. Suman has worked extensively across North America, Europe, India, Japan and Australia with financial services, industrial and high-tech companies. 

What she loves most about consulting in the technology space, she says is that "every day is exciting. Every project poses a unique problem and new ideas, especially with advancements in digital," Suman says. "It's also exciting to learn how to navigate the different mindsets and leadership styles of our stakeholders. At the end of it all, the satisfaction of seeing our recommendations helping our clients is unparalleled. The entire process, though fast paced, has been extremely rewarding."

Another endeavor that has been rewarding, Suman says, is her launching and cultivating the Women@Digital group at A.T. Kearney, which has set up an Advisory Board with senior client executives operating in the digital and technology space. 

"Forming the Women@Digital Advisory Board at A.T. Kearney is one of my proudest professional achievements," she says. "This advisory board is a dedicated group of senior female executives across numerous industries who are experts in the digital space. We continue to strive to combine our individual energy and power to change our workplaces and the world around us; our focus areas range from diversity and inclusion to the ethical use of technology to enabling digital scale with diversity. I feel extremely proud to have the opportunity to learn from and lead this group, and I hope to continue my focus on client success and advance our Women@Digital agenda at A.T. Kearney."

And when it comes to being a Women Leader, she says she feels humbled and honored to receive this award. "It is an acknowledgement of my mentors and sponsors who have pushed me to go beyond my own boundaries—and always encouraged and enabled me to be myself," she says. 

Q&A: What's the best advice—consulting or otherwise—you've ever received? And, what advice would you give to a young, female consultant just beginning her career?

"Be yourself! Each of us is unique and we deserve to be where we are. Success is most rewarding when you achieve it by continuing to be "you." And, when it comes to advice for a young female consultant just beginning her career, I will offer the same advice that I received from my mentors: Believe in yourself and just be you!"