The 2022 Women Leaders in Consulting: Katie Dahler

With nearly 20 years of experience in Corporate Consulting and Business Strategy, Katie is the Advisory Industry Leader and a principal in KPMG's People & Change Management Advisory practice.

As a Change Management and Learning & Development professional, she has overseen strategic projects in various functions with top global companies. She has led change management teams supporting global implementations, transformation initiatives and other strategy initiatives. She has also overseen the development of more than 2,000 training programs and has deep experience with Learning Management Systems and training administration strategy and support.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

I believe that my greatest achievement is cumulative in the many people's lives that I have been able to touch through my career. And that comes in a number of different ways:

First is my industry. I have spent the last 25+ years working in the health care and Life Sciences sector, providing professional services and innovative assets to enable my clients to achieve their mission to improve the lives of patients and consumers. I am proud to be helping companies continue to innovate health care and make a real difference in people's lives.

Second is my consulting discipline. I focus on the "people" side of the business, assisting companies with organizational strategy, organizational change management, talent management and learning & development. By helping clients focus on how they can best understand, support, and develop their people through major transformations and changes, I like to think that I have been able to touch the careers of thousands of people in some small way.

Third is my team. I am proud that I have achieved a reputation for inspiring and enabling others toward their own success. I think there is no greater accomplishment than helping someone think through a challenge, or do something for the first time, or be comfortable speaking up, or bring their full self to work. I judge my success by how many people are able to achieve their own goals and feel rewarded in their careers.

And fourth is my family. By being a strong female leader, I believe that I have set a good example for my children that hard work leads to success and that anything is possible.

What do you enjoy most about your consulting career?

I have been in the consulting business for nearly 25 years. What I love most about my career are the amazing people that I get to interact with every day. And the best part about consulting is that you don't just work with the amazing talent within your own company; you also work with amazing talent at your clients and so your network is exponentially expanded. And to be successful in consulting, you are tapping into that broad talent to bring the best thinking and support to the industry. Whether it's innovation that we collectively bring to market to shape the future of the industry, or identifying a new way to address a challenge, or (wo)manpower to execute a strategic project…we are working shoulder to shoulder with our teams and our clients to move the world forward. That is exciting and incredibly rewarding!

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

Someone once said to me, "They will never remember exactly what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel." I have taken that to heart throughout my career. In all interactions, I want people to feel that they can trust that I have good intentions and that I will come through for them. I want them to feel that my advice is sound and based on experience. I want them to feel that I am present, listening and there to help. And that applies to both clients and my teams. If people come away from our interactions feeling that I am a trusted advisor and have their best interest at heart, professional and personal success will follow.

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

I would tell her that her career is a marathon, not a sprint. Sprinters go fast but can only achieve a short distance at that pace. Marathoners can sustain pace over a much longer distance. If you want to go the distance in your career, allow yourself the latitude to prioritize the things that matter most at any given point in your life. At some points in your life, you may be working harder to get ahead, at some points, you may be spending more time with a significant other and/or children, and at some points, you may need to be focusing on yourself. By prioritizing what is most important at any given time, you will be able to balance your priorities while still moving forward and ultimately have a longer, happier, more successful career.

I would also tell her to "pay it forward" throughout her career. At every level, there is usually someone more junior than you who is going through similar challenges that you might have faced. Take the time to talk to them, listen to them, and share your experiences with them. Helping to advance the careers of women has been one of my personal passions throughout my career. I am proud that younger women feel comfortable coming to me and seeking advice, and that I am able to share my experiences with them.

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

This recognition means that my firm and my clients have valued my work and appreciate the effort that I have given over the many years, and see me as a leader in the firm and in the industry. On a personal level, I think it is a great affirmation of my passion for consulting and for my clients and my teams.

What do you enjoy most about your consulting career?

I have been in the consulting business for nearly 25 years. What I love most about my career are the amazing people that I get to interact with every day. And the best part about consulting is that you don't just work with the amazing talent within your own company; you also work with amazing talent at your clients and so your network is exponentially expanded. And to be successful in consulting, you are tapping into that broad talent to bring the best thinking and support to the industry. Whether it's innovation that we collectively bring to market to shape the future of the industry, or identifying a new way to address a challenge, or (wo)manpower to execute a strategic project…we are working shoulder to shoulder with our teams and our clients to move the world forward. That is exciting, and incredibly rewarding!