The 2023 Women Leaders in Consulting: Brynna Mann

Brynna Mann is a Managing Director in Treacy & Company's Chicago office. Brynna has 10+ years of experience in helping clients and companies discover new opportunities, build new products and launch new businesses. Brynna specializes in applying human-centered design to growth strategy, combining approaches from social sciences, design, and business to solve clients' most complex challenges.

Brynna joined Treacy & Company in 2021 after spending two years directing product strategy and innovation at The Jellyvision Lab. Prior to Jellyvision, Brynna was a manager at Doblin (a Deloitte business) where she led innovation projects to help clients across multiple industries find new opportunities to provide value to their customers. She also led strategic growth projects as part of the Monitor Deloitte strategy practice. Brynna also has experience coaching and advising startups on the design-thinking process and how to conduct valuable research to inform product strategy.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

My greatest professional achievement has been the promotion to Managing Director at Treacy & Company by Cherry Bekaert. Starting as a Project Manager in September 2021, I was able to manage and grow multiple accounts while effectively managing teams, delivering superior results to clients, and positively contributing to the firm's culture and operations. Despite the lack of child care resources due to COVID-19 and balancing work with a toddler while being pregnant with my second child, I was able to exceed expectations for both my teams and my clients and receive three promotions to Managing Director within 1.5 years.

Achieving the promotion to Managing Director has allowed me to play a critical leadership role at the firm. As the most senior female in the practice, I was recently accepted into CHIEF, the professional network of female executives, and have used the opportunity to learn from high-powered women, develop my executive presence, and share learnings with the women at my firm.

Growing up a child of immigrant parents and the first of my family to graduate from college, I never imagined myself to be in a leadership position at a company, especially before the age of 35. This achievement has been a culmination of years of hard work, personal and professional development, and dedication to my people and clients. I am proud of and grateful for the opportunity to serve as a Managing Director, especially to demonstrate to younger female consultants that achieving this level is possible.

What's the best advice—consulting or otherwise—you've ever received?

The best advice I ever received was to pursue my MBA degree. As a young consultant with a liberal arts background, the decision to attend Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management was the most transformative and impactful experience on my personal and professional development for the following reasons:

• Pursuing an MBA gave me the opportunity to reset and explore different career paths. I was able to intern at Starbucks to experience a large corporate environment. I also supported two newly launched startups, allowing me to have a meaningful impact in a rapid-growth environment.
• Through Kellogg's leadership and professional development courses, I was able to reflect and develop my own management style, which has helped me become an empathetic and effective team leader and coach to junior members of my firm.
• The program has given me access to an extensive network of intelligent, highly accomplished professionals who I can lean on for advice, mentorship and professional guidance—this network will continue to support me for the rest of my career.

Though it was a difficult decision to take a pause in my career, I am grateful for the advice to prioritize education and development, reflect on my values and goals, and pursue my career path with more deliberation.

What advice would you give to a female consultant just beginning her career?

Claim your (rightful) seat at the table.

Many female consultants, including myself, have experienced imposter syndrome and doubts that hindered us from speaking up in group settings. However, it's important to recognize that you have earned your position at the firm and deserve to have your voice heard. I constantly remind our female consultants that they are no less deserving of a voice than any of their male or more senior counterparts. Empathy first.

While fitting in may seem important, empathy takes precedence. I've witnessed some female consultants compromise their authentic selves to fit in with teams and the firm. However, I firmly believe that empathy is more important than mere likeability and try to help others see that as well. By being able to put yourself in a team member's or client's shoes, you are more able to understand how to adapt to a situation while still being yourself.

Build your brand and ensure your reputation reflects your worth. Proactively shaping a reputation and developing a brand that reflects your true worth is crucial. I worked with a manager once who never let me carry the posters/supplies to a workshop or coffee to a meeting because he did not want me to be falsely mistaken as the team secretary. Female consultants can easily get nominated as the team's "social planner" or "logistics master." Instead, focus on building a reputation around your core competencies, ensuring your contributions are recognized and valued by the company and client.

What does this recognition mean to you?

I am honored to receive this recognition for my work in consulting as it holds great significance to me as a mother of two who has recently reentered this field. It serves as a powerful message of encouragement to women and aspiring parents, demonstrating that it is possible to pursue a fulfilling consulting career while balancing family responsibilities.

When I made the decision to step away from consulting in 2019, I felt discouraged by the perceived challenges of achieving a work-life balance while serving my clients' needs. However, my experience at Treacy & Company by Cherry Bekaert has shown me that traditional beliefs can be challenged and overcome. This recognition would symbolize a collective shift in the consulting industry, promoting a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with family commitments.

Receiving the Women Leaders in Consulting Award reaffirms that I am contributing to reshaping the industry's norms. It demonstrates that we can challenge outdated assumptions and create an environment where individuals can thrive both personally and professionally.

Above all, this recognition is not solely about me, but about the positive impact it has on others. It encourages aspiring parents and women to pursue their ambitions, knowing that they have the support and understanding necessary to succeed. Together, we can pave the way for a more inclusive and compassionate consulting industry where individuals are empowered to balance their diverse roles and responsibilities.