2023 Women Leaders in Technology: Jennifer Bryant

Jennifer is a consulting executive with a mission to help leaders and organizations unlock the value of their talent to create meaningful change. Over her decade-plus management consulting career, she has established a track record of building resilient teams and partnering to deliver client solutions spanning industries and geographies. Her core areas of subject-matter expertise include organizational effectiveness, business transformation and project leadership. She brings growth-oriented, curiosity-led, human-centric approaches to simplify the complex and create meaningful change. She holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Rice University and a bachelor's degree in Finance from Texas A&M University. Outside of work, Jennifer is an avid reader, traveler, yogi and outdoor enthusiast. She lives in Seattle with her husband and dogs.

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

Belief. Leaders who believe in me and my belief in myself. At Unify, and throughout my entire consulting career, I've been afforded incredible growth opportunities – ownership of client relationships, project delivery and leadership roles, national consulting practice leadership positions, and now an executive role steering the firm's future. They've believed in me enough to give me full ownership and freedom to plot my own course, grow and learn.

I've believed enough in myself to transform courage into action. This has accelerated my success and fundamentally shaped my own leadership approach, translating to full belief in my teams and each member's own unique wisdom.

There are many nebulous ways one can achieve a measure of success. Belief in myself, bolstered by the belief of leaders I admire and trust, has been the game changer for me.

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

In high school, my parents put me through an aptitude test intended to tell me my "ideal career paths." In the post-test debrief, I was horrified when the advisor vacantly informed me, I would be bored and unsatisfied in pretty much any job and I didn't have the hand dexterity to be a surgeon. Although not my dream, it was nonetheless overwhelming to hear a door had closed before I was old enough to drive.

While preparing for the job market in college, I carried this fear in the back of my mind. I changed majors a few times and interviewed with all kinds of companies. I'm so grateful I found my home in consulting in my first job out of college. I was an instant "lifer." There is always a new and bigger problem to solve. I'm never bored… very far from it. I constantly stretch and grow my capabilities, while making an impact on the clients and organizations I work with by helping them solve for today and their future.

The creative problem-solving is hands down what I enjoy most, followed closely by the amazing like-minded people I have the privilege to solution with – clients, consultants and leadership alike.

What is your proudest achievement to date?

The global pandemic presented a significant disruption and risk to my firm's localized consulting model, where 99% of our consultants worked with clients on-site in their communities. Across geographies I watched the needs, desires, and expectations of both our clients and consultants' shift. In response, I harnessed my change power to influence the firm's direction toward a national service model instead. This transformation meant scaling everyone at every level to evolve both our tech and our relationships for the new world.

This effort—which is still in motion—is the culmination of my experience spearheading transformational initiatives for my clients. I applied my own best practices and tools to transform Unify in the face of adversity while keeping our heart. Now we're poised to measure and adapt swiftly to the ever-changing landscape. Looking ahead, my colleagues and I have the endurance to lead our teams no matter what comes by tapping our collective compassion, courage and creativity.

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

Be curious, not judgmental. – Walt Whitman

What does this recognition mean to you?

Being recognized as a Women Leader in Technology proves I have had a meaningful impact on my clients, my firm and the industry. I aim to proliferate an amazing industry that bolsters the impacts of companies spanning industries and geographies. Consulting uniquely offers people the opportunity to work in highly diverse project environments, making it a huge catalyst for personal and professional growth. I want to continue to heighten the impact our industry can have on individuals, organizations and ultimately the world.

I am a leader at a midsized consulting firm that delivers value to the world's most innovative companies. At Unify, we humbly disrupt the consulting industry with our consultant-first value. We put our consultants first – ensuring whole life balance across all engagements – so they can put their clients first and create more meaningful impact. We work ardently to expand our model to additional companies and geographies. This recognition would elevate our brand in the marketplace – helping us make inroads with clients and consulting talent.

My clients are my why. I will use this platform to elevate the fantastic work my clients lead within their organizations, with my partnership and support.