Rising Stars of the Profession: Annie Lewandowski

Annie is a certified Workday HCM expert helping higher education institutions and academic medical centers manage large human resources transformation initiatives enabled by the implementation of cloud ERP solutions.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

My greatest professional achievement is leading and supporting my amazing clients – and teammates – in achieving success with their technical transformation goals. Through my work with client teams, I have gained varying viewpoints and perspectives that has allowed me to grow and excel throughout my career.

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

Consulting is a unique industry where you have the opportunity to learn and expand your skillset while constantly facing new challenges. As a new professional, I recommend being curious and engaged in taking on new and unfamiliar opportunities. Don't fear challenges because you may not have expertise or a strong understanding in a particular area, rather take it as an opportunity to develop and find your passion. Stretching beyond your comfort zone will result in tremendous growth and the opportunity to learn new perspectives.

What have you loved most about your consulting career?

Consulting has given me the opportunity to help and support clients in new and exciting ways. With no client being the same, the variety and constant challenges has allowed me to continuously learn and help clients work through their challenges to be successful.

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

In a career where client service is critical, it is important take the time to listen to your clients so you can understand their problems from their perspective. If your put yourself in their shoes to understand the problem at hand, this allows you to develop more targeted solutions to address their needs. This may require you to be more creative, but results in a more successful end product.

Someone once told me that your career should always challenge you and that is something that has always resonated with me. I constantly try to find opportunities to develop and expand my knowledge to grow personally and professionally.

What does being honored as a Rising Star mean to you?

To be recognized for my level of service is indicative of the values and culture at Huron and that we are supporting our clients in the right way. It is a very humbling experience, and I am grateful to work for an organization that puts our clients front and center.