2022 Global Leaders in Consulting: Sherlonda Goode-Jones

A partner at Guidehouse, Goode-Jones leads the Public Sector Financial Services practice with over 20 years of consulting experience in financial services and transportation. Goode-Jones is a recognized thought-leader in operations consulting. In her current role, she and her practice teams provide advisory services to government agencies with federal credit programs or other mission or operating objectives that involve financial institutions, the capital markets, and the companies that serve them as counterparties or regulated entities. She also oversees Guidehouse's UK Public Sector practice initiatives.

She also leads teams that provide advisory services to federal agencies and commercial financial institutions involved in housing finance, financial stabilization, mortgage servicing, and credit operations. She has helped to transform the service operations of some of the largest federal credit programs, while providing transaction services to billion-dollar portfolios for housing and small business loans.

In her community roles, Goode-Jones is a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Washington DC and the University of Virginia Ridley Scholars Program; serves in various roles with the Washington DC Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Metropolitan DC Chapter of the Links, Incorporated; and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and 2020 Leadership Greater Washington. In March 2021, she was a Washington Business Journal Diversity in Business Award honoree.

Goode-Jones received her MBA from the Darden School of Business, where she completed international business studies at the International University of Japan and earned her BS in finance and marketing from the University of Virginia.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

My most outstanding professional achievement also fulfilled an important personal goal. That achievement was becoming a partner at a Big Four Professional Services Firm, the culmination of a 20-year career in management consulting. As a consultant in a big firm, it was natural for me to strive for a position that would give me the best return on my commitment to the firm. Becoming a partner was much more than a pinnacle career moment; the role gave me a platform to utilize all of my assets and strengths as a business leader, have a seat at the leadership table, and be an inspiration to others. I was equally proud when I was selected to lead our Public Sector Financial Services practice at Guidehouse.

What advice would you give a professional just beginning a career in consulting?

My advice to young consulting professionals is to make an absolute commitment to perform at a high level consistently and build a strong brand as a dependable professional. Second, develop authentic relationships with colleagues and clients, because human nature is such that people like to work and support those they know and trust. And lastly, be patient. Doors will open for you if you take advantage of opportunities, take risks, and stay relevant. Being prepared for those opportunities will make all the difference.

What have you loved most about your consulting career?

Over the past 25 years, I have had a rewarding consulting career working with public sector and commercial clients in different industries, including pharmaceutical/healthcare, transportation, and financial services, on all sorts of engagements. The most gratifying part of consulting has been the privilege of helping real people solve big problems: transforming federal credit programs, developing risk compliance programs, providing transaction services for housing and small business loans, devising global commercialization strategies for new technology initiatives, and a host of other game-changing initiatives. As the market evolves and changes, I, too, have had the opportunity—and need—to reinvent myself to be in the best position to deliver the innovative solutions that clients expect.

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

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This principle was the cornerstone of my upbringing and one I continue to employ. I apply this doctrine during interactions with my teams, my client relationships, and, of course, my own family. We all face many demands in our lives. Empathy, the ability to put ourselves in someone else's shoes, goes a long way if we want to cope with different cultural and professional perspectives in a manner that fosters understanding and collaboration. Empathy is a quality that will enhance the performance of any consultant.

What does being honored as a Global Leader mean to you?

I have been in the consulting profession for close to 25 years. This tenure is a privilege I don't take lightly. Still, I am living a dream that dates back to my first summer internship almost 30 years ago: to work with clients to solve some of the most complex issues we face as a global community. To be recognized by my colleagues in a field where virtually everyone strives for excellence is humbling and breathtaking at the same time. It is well-known among us that in professional consulting, our collective success has a lot has to do with building trust. This award (25 years in the making) affirms my belief that competence, like trust, takes time, dedication, and teamwork. I hope that this honor will reinforce the trust between my team and our clients and inspire all of us at Guidehouse to deliver the best solutions possible for many decades to come.