The 2020 Women Leaders in Technology: Penny Wand

Penny Wand loves tackling a tough problem and breaking it into its components to tame it. This is why she enjoys technology consulting and the rapidly evolving area of data and analytics. "I am passionate about telling stories with data," Wand says. "This capability is still nascent in many companies, so I work with clients to define data and analytics strategies, understand the potential in their data, and develop the competence and confidence to use data to make decisions."

At this stage of her career, however, the thing she says she enjoys most is developing people. "I want to make sure there is a paved path for the next generation of female leaders," she says. "I want to accelerate career development for our technology senior managers by helping them understand what it means—and takes—to become a director in a consulting organization. I've been creating a program that has shown tremendous early success in improving understanding of and access to career development opportunities." 

Wand joined West Monroe as a Director in 2018 from Pariveda Solutions. 

Over the next 12 months, Wand says she looks forward to continuing to advance data literacy and the ability to use data to enhance decision making. Companies must elevate these capabilities in order to take advantage of advanced analytics and artificial intelligence, she says.  "I especially look forward to advancing our focus on inclusion, while moving the needle significantly on diversity in our consulting ranks," she says. 

Of course, there are unique challenges as a woman in technology and consulting, she says. "At times, especially when I was young, people tried to intimidate me and I had to learn to stand up for myself.  I discovered how to use my sense of humor and authenticity to make my point without causing the other person unnecessary embarrassment," she says. "My biggest learning was that the people with whom I'd had the most discomfort or conflict often wound up being my biggest supporters because they valued that I had an opinion and was trying to make things better. I just needed to find and trust my voice."

As far as winning a Women Leaders in Technology award, Wand says she is grateful for the recognition. "I am also grateful to Consulting magazine for launching this new award and shining the spotlight on women in technology consulting," she says. "I want people to see me as someone who has helped pave the path for other women to succeed and become leaders in technology and consulting, so it is a privilege to be recognized in this inaugural class." 

What's the best advice (consulting or otherwise) you've ever received? 

Wand: "The best advice came from my Grandpa, who was an electrical engineer, inventor and entrepreneur. He told me to "be a maverick" and "don't let other people tell you how to think."  I still think of his advice regularly. The second-best advice came from my Mom, and that was "be enthusiastic."  People often tell me that I bring a positive energy to the room and that came from her.  She used to say, "Be enthusiastic about getting the mail." Even now, when that mail is mainly bills or flyers, I've found pleasure in this simple task."