The 2023 Women Leaders in Consulting: Sophie Ross

Sophie Ross is the Global CEO of Technology within FTI Consulting. She has more than 20 years of experience in company management, strategic leadership and operations in the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Ms. Ross specializes in helping clients manage their data in the context of compliance and risk, and leads global Technology strategy and execution across Information Governance, Privacy & Security, Digital Forensics & Investigations, E-Discovery Consulting & Services, Managed Review, Corporate Legal Operations and Blockchain and Digital Assets practices. Her consulting expertise includes e-discovery and high-stakes document review through predictable pricing models, applying analytics and simplifying the complex layers of discovery management.

Prior to her appointment as Global CEO of the Technology segment, Ms. Ross led the Western Region for the Technology segment, as well as the managed document review business globally. Ms. Ross joined FTI Consulting through its 2008 acquisition of Strategic Discovery, where she served as the Chief Operating Officer.

Ms. Ross has served in the Israeli Navy Intelligence, possesses an international and European background and is fluent in four languages. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Tel Aviv University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

I think of achievement as the combined impact one is able to leave in this world — both from a personal and professional perspective. Professionally, the transformation of our FTI Technology business has been one of those. Our Technology business at FTI Consulting has been on an incredible and ongoing growth trajectory in recent years and has achieved record-breaking results this year. I admire the innovation, drive and excellence that our people bring to our organization, and our clients, every day. We are leading with our market offerings and are able to provide exciting new career paths to our team members.

As I work with our practice leaders and our experts across FTI Consulting, I'm continually impressed by what our teams are capable of. Moreover, I'm proud that we're able to scale at a rapid pace while maintaining an entrepreneurial approach and a dynamic and diverse company culture globally.

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

Leading with a practical and positive approach is critical to success. Focus on what to do next, rather than becoming weighed down or distracted by failures and roadblocks. There is always a way to move forward, and you often have to be open to that mindset for solutions to reveal themselves.

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

Find mentors. Mentors and your team members are the people who will influence you the most in your career. It's often beneficial to have multiple mentors who provide different perspectives at different moments throughout your career, or who can provide a valuable second opinion on advice you've been given.

For example, I have several long-time mentors, men and women, within my organization and outside of it, who each have unique career experiences and backgrounds. Being able to seek and share advice among numerous trusted mentors can help people early in their careers build more confidence, grow their opportunities, expand their network and gain guidance for difficult decisions. Remember to give back and serve as a mentor to others as well. This has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career.

What does this recognition mean to you?

It's amazing, and a little surreal, to earn a Lifetime Achievement award. I feel there's still a great deal of growth and excitement on the horizon, so this is only one chapter in what I know will be a long story of success for our organization. More importantly, there have been many contributors and partners throughout my career and along every milestone, who all share in this award with me. This recognition ultimately speaks to the bold, collaborative, exceptional people who have surrounded me here at FTI Consulting and earlier in my career. I'm incredibly honored and grateful for them and for this acknowledgment.