The 2023 Rising Stars of the Profession: Jen Wu

Jen Wu is a Managing Director and Partner in L.E.K. Consulting's New York office. She is a member of the firm's Retail and Consumer Products practice, where she has deep expertise in food and beverage growth strategies and M&A. With over eight years at L.E.K., Jen has advised corporate and private equity clients on strategic projects ranging from investment screens and buy- and sell-side due diligence to new market entry and corporate growth strategies.

Previously, Jen spent several years at General Mills in marketing and general management, focused on ecommerce and on natural and organic foods strategy. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

What would you say has been the biggest factor in your success so far?

One of the benefits of project-based work in consulting is the degree of exposure to different leadership styles and the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with a range of mentors. Mentorship can take many forms, but at their core these relationships are based on sharing perspectives, providing valuable guidance, and at times simply offering a kind word and a shoulder to lean on. I have been the beneficiary of such mentorship throughout my career. Like many, I pursued a career in strategy consulting out of college for the intellectual challenge and discovered along the way that the challenge is only truly enjoyable when you work with people who genuinely care for each other. I've never underestimated the power of mentorship because I know what it's like to be 22 years old and have someone believe in your potential before you've fully understood it yourself. Whatever success I've achieved is in large part due to the mentors who've supported me over the years, and I am grateful for all the L.E.K.ers who have helped shape the person that I am.

What do you enjoy most about your career in the consulting industry?

Working in close-knit teams, both internally at L.E.K. and externally with clients, to solve big problems with no 'right' answer. Many careers provide intellectual stimulation, but few offer the ability to work so closely in teams as a unit, building on each other's ideas and strengths.

What is your proudest achievement to date?

I consider the role of a consultant to be one of a trusted advisor, and the proudest moments of my career have been those in which I've been asked for guidance and support, be it from my clients, peers or teams. Whether it's helping a client team wrestle through a strategic decision amid uncertainty or providing guidance to a mentee on the next stage of their career, being a trusted advisor requires approaching the individual and their situation with empathy, expertise, and sometimes the willingness to provide an answer they may not like. Being the one they turn to in those moments is a sign of deep trust and mutual respect established over time, and a real privilege.

What's the best advice you've ever been given?

Seven words from Steve Martin: "Be so good they can't ignore you." He was of course speaking about comedy. But great strategy consulting, like great stand-up, requires unique perspectives, powerful storytelling, and constant adaptation to the surrounding climate. For me, the advice speaks to a certain resilience and confidence that can only come from consistently demanding the best from yourself; being so good you can't be ignored is a result of relentless work and preparation behind the scenes. Implicit in the advice is also an important tone of ownership- truly owning your career path and what is within your control, knowing full well that you'll face headwinds, challenges and inequity along the journey.

What does this recognition mean to you?

For me, this recognition means that we as a consulting industry are placing value on leadership and all the traits inherent that word. It means that firm citizenship, true mentorship and ED&I initiatives are genuinely meaningful to the culture of our consulting organizations and that we will continue to promote behavior consistent with these values.