2023 Global Leaders in Consulting: Darren Perry

Darren Perry is a Managing Director and Partner in L.E.K.'s Boston office and currently serves on the firm's Board of Directors. He is a founding member of the firm's Technology practice and leads L.E.K.'s service line for Digital Strategy. In addition, Darren has led L.E.K.'s Pro Bono program in the U.S. for the last 10 years, where he has helped bring strategy consulting expertise to a wide range of nonprofit clients. Prior to L.E.K., Darren worked for MicroStrategy, a leading provider of business intelligence, mobile software and cloud-based services. Darren earned his MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, where he was a Digital Strategies Fellow, a BS in Engineering Sciences from Dartmouth College, and a BA with Honors in Physics from Colby College.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

One of the best aspects of being a strategy consultant is that your work can have an outsized positive impact on people and organizations. Those outcomes are tremendously rewarding and I could pick any number of projects I've been a part of at L.E.K. as examples of great team achievements. With that said, I would say that earning the respect of your colleagues is a real achievement in this profession, as it is a testament to the impact you've had over many years and projects. Along those lines, I would say being promoted to Partner and recently being elected to the Board of L.E.K. would be among my greatest professional achievements.

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

This job is all about client empathy. Work to become the best listener you can be and good things will follow.

What have you loved most about your consulting career?

Consulting is a great way to meet and work with so many different people, including both clients and colleagues. I've loved the opportunity that L.E.K. has given me to develop relationships with, and learn from, some of the most talented and interesting people in business.

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

Embrace consulting as a team sport. Surround yourself with teammates who will challenge you and make you better.

What does being honored as a Global Leader mean to you?

Being honored as a Global Leader, particularly in this category, means several things to me. First, it's a great endorsement of the important work that L.E.K.'s nonprofit clients do, whether that's mentoring underprivileged children or working on global challenges like climate change. It's also a recognition of L.E.K.'s shared commitment, across all levels of the firm, to making a positive impact in our local communities and the broader world. Finally, it sends a great signal about the importance of corporate social responsibility and provides encouragement to future leaders at L.E.K. to use their talents for good.