2022 Global Leaders in Consulting: Sandra Loughlin

CL&TE's innovative approach and demonstrated impact has garnered industry and client awards and led to new lines of business for EPAM. Sandra presents CL&TE's unique approach to capability development in talks and keynotes worldwide and her articles have appeared in publications like Forbes and TD magazine.

Before joining EPAM, Dr. Loughlin was faculty at the University of Maryland with a joint appointment in the Colleges of Education and Business and advised several edtech startups. Sandra holds a PhD from the University of Maryland and a master's from Harvard University.

What do you consider your greatest professional achievement?

I don't think I can really take credit for this, but what comes to mind is the amazing leaders in my practice at EPAM. All of us joined consulting from different careers and decided to take this journey together because we share a passion for real, demonstrable learning and believe is the secret to achieving the digital, data, and product transformations needed by so many companies. Together, we took a deep breath, stepped into the unknown, and built a practice based on what would achieve results for clients, not what's been done before. Along the way, we made mistakes, learned a ton, and found our calling. Working alongside this incredible group of women has been the highlight of my professional career and I'm so proud of what we've accomplished together.

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

Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses—you can't be great at everything so stop trying. Instead, learn what you're good at and get better at those things, then honor and surround yourself with people who are strong where you are not. The result is a team where everyone is great at what they do, is honest about their limitations, and recognizes and rewards each other's strengths. I still remember the moment this advice was given to me—it was the most freeing, humbling, and energizing experience of my career.

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

For EPAM, recognition from such a prestigious organization—and with these incredible peers—reaffirms the value that integrated consulting creates for our clients. To me, it is an acknowledgement that achieving impact for clients is what matters most. At EPAM we have an internal motto that colors everything we do: Results. Relentlessly. It is the basis of our organic growth as a company and drives the outcomes-orientation of my practice. Being recognized for this approach is a reminder that our fundamental purpose as consultants is achieving demonstrable results and impact for our clients. And it makes me want to get up again tomorrow and do what it takes to make that happen.

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

Learn when to stop thinking and start doing. Because of things like technology, data, and globalization, knowledge is growing and changing at an incredible speed and that has shifted the paradigm of learning. If you wait to know everything, you'll never start or what you spent so much time "getting to know" will become irrelevant. My advice is to develop a deep understanding of foundational concepts and principles in your area and have confidence in what you know. With that grounding, you can dedicate a few hours to research the specifics of the challenge in front of you, then formulate a solution and iterate and learn as you go. In my experience, people who use this approach deliver creative, ground-breaking ideas and solutions because they're based on evergreen conceptual frameworks, active learning, and informed feedback.