The 2022 Women Leaders in Consulting: Xiaoqing (Sherri) He

Sherri He is the managing director of Kearney's Greater China Unit and global partner leading Consumer & Retail practice of Kearney Greater China. Sherri has over 20 years of consulting experience. She has served multinational corporate clients and Chinese local clients in consumer goods, retail, Private Equity and other industries in China. Sherri's area of expertise including strategy, digital transformation, e-commerce, new retail, sales and marketing, operation improvement, M&A/PMI, organization transformation. Before joining Kearney, Sherri He worked in commercial banks in China. Sherri got her bachelor's degree from South West Finance and Economics University in China and MBA from Carnegie Mellon University in the U.S..

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

Personal achievement: I raised my daughter to be a kind and aspirational young lady, by being her role model. She is a hardworking individual, has been admitted to a top college, and passionate about women's rights, of which this topic forms one of her two majors in college. Professional achievement: turning the financial performance of the China unit around, and this is the firm and unit that I consider to be home for the last 20 years.

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

The five Kearney values are what has continued to inspire me. These values will provide solutions and advice when you are unsure on what action to take: generosity, solidarity, curiosity, passion and boldness. Please test out whether consulting is a career that you love for the long term, if yes, it is important to figure out a way to balance your work and life, such as leverage flexibility of consulting career to support your personal life, e.g., LOA and flex program when you are pregnant or have a baby/young kids.

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

Life is a long run, not a short run, so it is important to do the right thing at the right time.

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

This recognition will inspire more young female consultants around me to continue pursuing their consulting careers and leadership aspirations, and find it more rewarding despite the challenges.