The 2021 Women Leaders In Consulting: Priya Chandran

She is a core member of the biopharma team within the Health Care practice and has worked with various biopharma players on topics including R&D, M&A, large-scale transformations, corporate and therapeutic strategies, market access, and medical and regulatory strategy.

As Health Care Systems lead, Priya leads a global team that serves governments across the world in strengthening their health care systems. Within the US, Priya and her teams have supported US government health organizations on reforms focused on organizational redesign, data and analytics, process excellence, and quality improvement.

Prior to joining BCG, Priya was a researcher and project analyst at Ligand Pharmaceuticals in San Diego.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

"Over my 20 years in consulting, I have had the opportunity to engage with numerous teams and clients. I get the greatest pride and satisfaction when I have supported these colleagues in achieving their potential and their own ambitions and goals. Over the years, many of these colleagues have gone on to rise to the very top of their organizations, creating great impact for the world. It makes me proud to know that I, and BCG, contributed to their personal and professional successes."

What advice would you give to a female consultant just beginning her career?

"For many women, consulting is seen as incompatible with having a family because of travel and workload. I would encourage her to keep an open mind and work with her firm to shape her career in a way that works for her."

"There are four things I would consider: (1) There are very few jobs where there is upward mobility similar to consulting, where you do not have a heavy workload and potentially global travel. In fact, most of my women clients face the same challenges (2) We are able to attract amazing talent so the leverage you get from your teams is extraordinary. That means that as you become more senior you can leverage your team's talent to create flexibility, and it accelerates the team's development too (3) Most consultants over time serve a sector or a set of clients—choose wisely based on where you want to live (4) Don't limit your choices based on what you have seen other people choose. Each of us has our own unique personal and professional circumstances that drive our decisions. Make decisions that work for you. Most firms today offer a number of flexible options—leverage them when you need it—it's a marathon, not a sprint."

What excites you most about your consulting career?

"There are many things about consulting that have made this exciting and fulfilling for me. A couple that stand out: I have worked with clients who are trying to do extraordinary things in terms of innovation and execution and helping them realize these ambitions has kept me on my toes and at the cutting edge–not many people can have jobs which always keep them on the forefront of change and I am grateful for that. The other thing that is exciting is the people I work with both within BCG and my clients–I am constantly surrounded by people who are curious, innovative, and motivated, with varying backgrounds and experiences and who are eager to collaborate."

What's the best advice—personal or professional—you've ever received?

"One of my mentors in consulting gave me the best advice when I became a Partner – 'Relationships over projects—always.' This has had a profound impact on how I have chosen to build my career in consulting—not chasing after projects that we cannot see a path to value. Instead, offering to do less or walk away in some cases. Or partnering with other firms if we can offer better value together. The key to delivering value is working with people we trust on problems where we can have an impact, and investing in the professional development of our clients."

What does being honored as a Woman Leader in Consulting mean to you?

"I feel very humbled to be honored along with a group of fantastic women leaders. Consulting, like many professional services, has fewer women than we would like, and while that is changing, we have a long ways to go. I have had the good fortune of having strong women role models and I try to pay it forward by supporting the women around me to boldly aspire to do whatever they find fulfilling. This recognition reinforces the need for continuing to create inclusive environments where women leaders can achieve their full potential."