2023 Top Consultants: Luke Schaeffer

As Senior Managing Director, Global Co-Leader of Telecom, Media & Technology, Luke Schaeffer specializes in enterprise transformation, transactions, turnarounds, and growth contexts. Services include strategy, revenue growth, operating model design, organizational design, cost takeout, process improvement, interim management, financial and operational restructuring, commercial and operational diligence, integration and separation planning and M&A and capital raising.

Luke's notable engagements include the merger of Entercom and CBS Radio, Refinery29 with Vice Media, Lin Media with Media General, Young Broadcasting with Media General, the sale of Digital Domain's visual special effects business, a $450 million secured debt raise for a regional competitive local exchange carrier ("CLEC"), a $245 million CLEC strategic acquisition, a $170 million senior secured debt raise for a regional CLEC, a $75 million equity fundraise by a startup mobile wireless carrier, an enterprisewide transformation at CBS, cost-out at multiple prominent digital media companies, growth turnarounds at several technology unicorns, etc. Prior to FTI, Luke was the Founding Managing Partner at West Lake Partners. Previously, he worked for private equity firms Whitney & Co. and One Liberty Ventures – where he worked with, and invested in communications, media, technology and services businesses. Luke also spent several years with PwC, where he was a founding member of FTI's predecessor Telecom industry practice.

What has motivated you to excel over the course of your career?

A recognition that I can always be learning. Every situation in life, every encounter, is an opportunity to learn from others, if we allow ourselves to look at it that way. If we're learning we're growing. We grow most when we are out of comfort zone. If we seek to push ourselves out of our comfort zone at least once every day, then we are constantly learning and growing as human beings.

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

There have been many, many sources of my success. I have had great sponsors – my family, unwavering friends, a handful of supremely dedicated leaders, and the blessing of being surrounded with so many very capable colleagues, who are also very good people.

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

Two things: 1) constant opportunities to learn by getting to work on all kinds of challenging situations, and 2) the opportunity to build a business with a continually growing number of truly amazing people

What is your proudest achievement to date?

Personally – the love my children have for each other.

Professionally – hearing from teammates how powerful they think the culture of our organization is.

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

Happiness is a decision.

What does this recognition mean to you?

I see leadership as the willingness of others to entrust their careers, livelihood and professional development to me. That is a big responsibility. This recognition is a small symbol of that responsibility.