2023 Global Leaders in Consulting: Darshan Deshmukh

Darshan has extensive global operations and delivery experience in the managed services and advisory fields. He has deep expertise in building global programs focused on procurement, strategic sourcing, category management and supply chain/procurement transformation.

Prior to joining ProcureAbility, Darshan spent most of his career building large-scale, global delivery operations. He spent a decade in a series of global leadership positions in IBM's Integrated Supply Chain organization and then joined Denali Sourcing Services as operations leader and was instrumental in establishing and growing the company's global delivery capability. After Denali's acquisition integration with WNS, Darshan transitioned to tech startups, OpenGov and Icertis, where he built their global professional services and customer success organizations. Darshan has worked with global clients in high-tech, financial services, manufacturing, retail, utilities and health care/pharma.

Darshan holds an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, a graduate degree in supply chain from Penn State, and an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management. He loves international travel, movies and everything food, and divides his time between Seattle and Palm Springs.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

Being able to build global organizational capability to create a sustainable well-functioning organization and replicate that in various set ups – from large scale organizations to start up environments – gives me a sense of accomplishment. When I look back and see the leaders that I hired, worked with closely growing as individuals and having senior roles that drive strategic direction for these organizations, it gives a different level of satisfaction and sense of achievement that I was able to build something meaningful that lasted for the long term.

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

Don't be afraid to try something new that you are uncomfortable with – don't shy away from surprises. You never know-how you learn (good or bad) from all experiences – clients or otherwise.

What have you loved most about your consulting career?

The process of understanding client-implied promise and delivering against that is always a challenging task. I love to solve difficult problems which keeps me excited, and consulting offered me an environment in which to do that.

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

I was an extreme introvert at the start of my career. The advice I received from one of my mentors – "Don't underestimate your opinion because you feel it's not worth expressing. If you don't express it, people in the room assume you don't have one."

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

I am extremely honored to be recognized by the industry and I feel this is a recognition for all of my peers at ProcureAbility.