The 2023 Women Leaders in Consulting: Vineesha Satwani

Vineesha Satwani is a consultant and a regional thought leader in digital transformation in the UAE. Her extensive experience includes serving as an advisor to senior government leadership at the Ruler's Court, leading the digital task force for economic development entity in the UAE government and working as a consultant with global top consulting firms.

During her career, she has provided advisory services to over 40+ public sector organizations and Fortune 500 companies across various sectors. She has received multiple accolades over the years, from both government and global firms for her contribution to the field of digital transformation and her project delivery. Some of the recent ones being Asia's Powerful Women Leaders of 2023, Top 100 Technology Leaders in the UAE for 2023, UAE Digital Accelerator Award, GCC Women Leader of the year by World Women Congress. She has also held advisory board-level positions, including serving as an advisor to the digital program in the UAE.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

My greatest achievement has been being able to contribute in enhancing public sector services that has made a difference in the quality of life for millions of people in the country. My belief is that the satisfaction of a job is derived from its impact and being an advisor/consultant in a top consulting firm like McKinsey within the digital space, allows us to use technology to scale and provide wings to this impact. Previously, I have also worked toward improving the representation of women in technology as country chairperson for women in tech at a global nonprofit and through my social entrepreneurial venture "Techno- Banat" which means "technology girls" in Arabic focused on building tech solution for social good by young women in the Middle East.

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

In consulting, it's vital to delve beyond the client's surface-level requests and understand the core problem they're trying to solve. Knowing the "why" behind their request is key. Before implementation, a thorough understanding of the client's definition of "success" and the underlying issue is necessary. This ensures that the solution goes beyond project completion to have a genuine impact on the client. Rather than just fulfilling requested deliverables, the focus should be on resolving the underlying issue for true satisfaction. This may sometimes necessitate a change or reduction in scope, but the aim is to deliver what's truly best for the client.

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

As a woman in the consulting field, if you find yourself as the only woman in a project or lacking female role models in leadership roles at your company, don't ever think this is not for you. Remember that you bring unique strengths to the table. By combining your interpersonal skills with your consulting expertise, you cannot only excel in your career but also contribute to a more inclusive and collaborative consulting environment, setting an example for other young women entering the consulting world.

As consultants, we consistently strive to meet client needs and adapt to a changing landscape. Engaging in programs and training sessions to develop core consulting skill sets can be highly beneficial. Participating in initiatives such as McKinsey's Women in Tech, Next Generation Women Leaders and forward ensure you receive the support and training for building a strong and resilient career in consulting.

What does this recognition mean to you?

The recognition of being a future leader in consulting is a profound honor and responsibility. It signifies not only a personal achievement but also a commitment to paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse consulting industry.

In essence, being recognized as a Future Leader of the Women Leaders in Consulting awards is a call to action. It reminds me of the importance of mentorship, supporting others in their career journeys, and driving positive change in an industry that has immense potential to benefit from diverse voices and experiences. It's an acknowledgment of progress made and a reminder of the work that lies ahead to create a more equitable and inclusive future for all in consulting.