The 2020 Top 25 Consultants: Lorna Friedman

"Pediatrics is a good training ground for consulting as we tend to focus on a broader and longer-term set of outcomes than internists. We consider school environments, family and friendship, and of course, the impact of long term growth in our treatment plans," she says.

CHOP regularly had speakers from the Leonard Davis Institute at Wharton, who brought economic points of view. These factors combined made consulting "a natural progression" from the training and environment she was exposed to early on.

Friedman's career has been marked by a devotion to justice, kindness, and helping those most in need. Among her proudest professional achievements, she says, was a Homeless Health Initiative set up by a group of volunteers at CHOP. The initiative delivered health services to homeless populations in settings outside of the hospital and clinic. More than 20 years later, that initiative is still going strong.

Today, Friedman serves as a Partner in the Multinational Client Segment for Mercer, working in an environment she calls "extraordinary."

"Marsh & McLennan (of which Mercer is one of four businesses) has been an extraordinary place to find all three. A vast amount of expertise, the world's most exciting clients, and leadership that is committed to fostering creative solutions to build a better future."

Over the course of her career, Friedman says she's found motivation to excel working with people all over the world, which has taught her that "great ideas, great values, generosity, kindness, and humor do not know gender, race, age pedigree, or post code.  They flourish everywhere, and it is extremely enriching to find people and organizations who are bringing innovative answers to hard questions."

Ask her what winning a Top 25 Consultants award for Excellence in Healthcare means to her, and she'll gladly share the acclaim with her fellow winners.

"It's extremely humbling to be in such wonderful company. I congratulate all of my fellow recipients. For me, this is truly a recognition of my teams, colleagues, and clients, and I hope that they feel both validated for their efforts and energized for the future."

Q&A: Professionally, what are you most looking forward to over the next 12 months? 

Friedman: In consulting, we rise with the aspirations of our clients, and those aspirations have never been higher. Covid has been devastating, but it has solidified the recognition that the work site does not need to be tethered to space, or even time. The work place has been radically altered. And the killing of George Floyd and others, as well as the glaring racial disparities in Covid exposure and outcomes, has invigorated and amplified the urgency to act on bias, racism, and inequities in the workplace, healthcare, and in society at large. Our clients, their employees, their consumers expect bold and meaningful change.  That is a great incentive and a stimulus to listen, learn and act.