The 2022 Top Consultants: Karen Wilson

Serving public sector entities to help them manage risk and increase resiliency has always been a passion of Karen's. As a partner at Guidehouse, she guides government agencies to improve their services to customers by reducing risk, optimizing assets, and achieving results that stand up to scrutiny.

Karen is the Public Sector leader within Guidehouse's Energy, Sustainability, & Infrastructure business unit, providing service to US Government civilian agencies, as well as infrastructure-related government agencies and ministries in Canada and Europe. She has a Masters' degree in Education from University of Maryland, bachelor's' degrees in History and Journalism from Boston University, is a certified facilitator, and a certified leadership and executive coach.

She began her career at Arthur Andersen, and worked briefly at Unisys and a market research firm focused on the government before joining PwC in 2008, where she was admitted to the partnership in 2012. Karen is passionate about helping individuals and teams succeed. She has designed and delivered numerous leadership and professional training programs over the years. She derives extreme pleasure from bringing order to chaos, and strategically charting courses to leave organizations better than she found them.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

I don't know that I have a "greatest" – life is full of surprises and celebrations. Certainly, I'm proud of my children, and I was proud to be admitted to the partnership at PwC. I am proud of some great things I've done with my government clients. And I always feel proud when people on my teams accomplish great things in their careers.

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

I would say to stay curious. Consulting is not about knowing all the answers, but rather curiosity. Why is this important to this client? What is this person hoping for out of their career here? Is there a better way to do this? What can I learn? It's a mindset.

What have you loved most about your consulting career?

As the daughter of public servants, I have loved getting to work side by side with my teams and our government clients to help them accomplish their important missions. I have also loved the work I've gotten to do designing and delivering leadership development and professional training throughout the years.

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

Ask questions first – you may think you know the whole story but we so rarely do.

What does being honored as a Top Consultant mean to you?

I am honored and humbled that my team thought I was worthy of nomination, and to be amongst such a wonderful group of fellow winners.