2023 Global Leaders in Consulting: Ebony D. Thomas

Ebony is a seasoned organizational transformation leader specializing in strategic planning, change management and business development. She began her career on Wall Street at Goldman Sachs, however, after completing her MBA, she chartered a new direction and began a career in management consulting with Booz Allen Hamilton. Ebony serves as a thought leader developing business solutions for an array of clients across the military and civilian arenas. In addition to solving her client's most challenging problems, Ebony simultaneously chairs Booz Allen's African American Network (AAN). As Chair, Ebony works tirelessly to ensure the concerns, challenges and successes of the 2,000-member Booz Allen Black community are heard and acted upon. Ebony holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from Spelman College where she was a Bonner Scholar and an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she was a Dean's Fellow and a Bank of America Fellow. She is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) through the Project Management Institute (PMI), a Change Management Advanced Practitioner through Georgetown University, a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt through Dartmouth College, and a certified Design Thinking Professional. Ebony enjoys cooking, golfing and interior design.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement

I've had the opportunity to make a number of impacts professionally and through my Board and professional memberships, however, I believe my greatest achievement has yet to be realized. As I think about the future, there is so much that I want to achieve and I am excited by the journey that lies ahead.

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

Be your biggest advocate. No one will fight harder for you than you. Ensure that you show up, do a great job, and champion yourself even when others may not. Imposter syndrome is a real thing, but you can't let it hold you back. Have the confidence to climb and to soar!

What have you loved most about your consulting career?

What I love most about my consulting career is that every day is different. Each day I have the opportunity to help clients through an array of issues knowing that the next challenge or problem is just around the corner. Consulting keeps me in constant learning mode so that can offer the best solutions for my clients.

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

Appoint your own personal Board of Directors and ensure that Board is diverse in as many ways as possible. Leverage your personal Board often as you navigate your career and professional affiliations just as a corporation would turn to its Executive Board as it navigates growth and change.

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

This award serves as a signal to others that they can and should pursue this work to make an indelible difference in the lives of others and on corporate structures. It is a team effort, the work is bi-directional, and it comprises both those that look like me and those that don't. This award is impactful across many levels and across multiple stakeholders in that it serves as a platform to raise awareness and let others know that diversity initiatives deserve recognition as well as a seat at the table. This award means so much to me, but ultimately, it serves as positive affirmation that my work to advance diversity, equity and inclusion is acknowledged, appreciated and validated. Onward!