The 2022 Women Leaders in Consulting: Kim Höglund

Kim Höglund is a highly skilled technology and operations leader with over 20 years of experience across professional services, education, health care, insurance and high-tech industries. Kim brings an executive perspective and hands-on commitment to deliver tangible results for her clients. She's known for taking a thoughtful, collaborative approach to find solutions even when problems look "unsolvable."

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

I'd have to say that my time as a Technology and Business Operations leader is probably the highlight of my career at this point. I had a list of pain points and opportunities that were pages and pages long with very little positive feedback. Through intensive efforts, which included a tremendous amount of organization change management, we turned things around and created new capabilities.

Formally, I developed and implemented multiyear technology, data and operations strategic plans, which modernized technology, dramatically improved service levels, enabled new capabilities and supported significant revenue growth.

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

Consulting requires us to be chameleons; adapt to what your client needs without losing your authenticity. Well-timed, appropriate humor breaks down all sorts of barriers; use it.

Also, advocate for yourself. You'll learn as much (possibly more) from observation as you will from direct experience. Reflect on those observations and leverage them as you continue in your career.

What do you enjoy most about your consulting career?

Hands down, it's the ability to observe organizations and industries and how they do business and solve problems. I learn as much from a consulting engagement as my clients may learn from me. It's both fascinating and rewarding to integrate those perspectives and solutions into my approaches and thinking.

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

My CEO in the middle of VERY difficult project once told me, 'Dogs bark, the caravan moves on.' By this he meant, there's always 'noise' in anything complex and difficult – don't let the noise distract you.

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

Honestly, I'm very humbled and thankful to have been nominated and honored here. This award offers all of us an opportunity to share a little of our experiences and philosophies to help others grow.