The 2025 Best Firms to Work For: Attain Partners

CONSULTING SERVICE LINES: Strategy and Operations Management

Based in McLean, Virginia., Attain Partners is a leading management and technology consulting firm delivering services and solutions to advance client missions across the education, nonprofit, health care, and state and local government landscapes.

CMAG: What characteristics and elements would you attribute to your firm's inclusion as a Best Firm to Work For?

From day one, our vision has been clear: to create a built-to-last, next-generation, values-driven firm that leads with purpose, executes with discipline and makes a meaningful, positive impact in the communities in which we live and work.

We are honored that Attain Partners has been named a Consulting Magazine Best Firm to Work For 2025. This prestigious accolade is a testament to the dedication, talent, and unwavering commitment that each of our team members brings to our organization and the clients that they serve every day.

Since our founding, our company has been united behind a vision that demands—and continues to demand—courage, discipline and perseverance. We are a purpose-built organization, driven by the aspiration to create an enduring legacy of delivering insanely great, impactful results that improve lives and communities transform its student experience, guiding an organization through digital modernization, or serving as a trusted resource to the research community during times of significant change, our core principles keep us aligned and moving forward together.

CMAG: Are there any specific programs or initiatives that contributed to you being included as a Best Firm?

We're committed to attracting, cultivating and retaining top talent. We continue to invest in elevating the next generation of the workforce and strengthening our team members via the following programs:

LEAD Program: Attain LEAD (Learn, Empower, Adapt, Deliver) is our internal leadership development program, created to invest in the growth and advancement of future leaders within the firm. This structured educational experience combines individualized talent development with collaborative group learning. The program is designed to cultivate leadership potential, enhance professional capabilities, and prepare participants for continued growth at Attain Partners. Through hands-on training, mentorship and professional development sessions, the LEAD Program provides opportunities to build expertise in strategic decision-making, team leadership and innovation.

Wellness Program: Our comprehensive Wellness Program is designed to promote overall well-being and provide meaningful support to all team members. This initiative includes financial education, mental health tools, family-focused programming and opportunities for engagement, all reflecting our commitment to The Attain Way. Our offerings have included webinars like Building Healthy Families presented by Virginia Hospital Center, Stress Management for Kids presented by INOVA Well, and Five Money Musts presented by Fidelity Investments, as well as a Mental Health Awareness Month Information Guide.

Benefits Package: We offer a robust, thoughtfully designed benefits package to supports our team's well-being. Offerings include comprehensive medical coverage—with an option for 100% premium coverage for individuals—alongside dental and vision plans. We prioritize flexibility through remote and hybrid work options, unlimited paid time off, and paid parental leave. We also provide family planning and building assistance, therapy support and a 401(k) program with matching and 100% vesting from day one. In addition, employees have access to a suite of value-added programs at no cost, including Healthy Rewards, Legal Resources, Will Preparation and the Employee Assistance Program, which offers complimentary mental health resources.

CMAG: In describing your firm, what would you say sets it apart from other consulting firms?

At the center of our company is our people. They are the who, the how, and the why behind everything we build.

Together, we are changing the paradigm—focusing not just on outcomes, but on the people, clients, communities, and partners who make lasting impact possible. We do this through our shared dedication to upholding our core values—The Attain Way.

At the heart of our company lies a spirit that strengthens our connections and fosters an environment where every team member feels empowered. Each day, our extraordinary team members bring their individual talents, ideas, and passions to serve our clients—and it's their dedication, creativity, and hard work that fuel our success.

The Attain Way guides and inspires us as consultants, driving us to uphold excellence, deliver the best outcomes for our clients, make a positive impact in our communities, and achieve extraordinary success together.

This recognition affirms that our commitment to core values and culture truly resonates with our remarkable team, and we couldn't be prouder.

CMAG: Where your workforce is concerned, what would you say your priorities look like for the upcoming year and beyond?

As a firm, we understand that our people are our greatest asset. We strive each day—and with every decision—to exceed expectations in the ways we take care of and invest in our team. Being named a 2025 Best Firm to Work For by Consulting Magazine reflects the voices of our team members and affirms what we strive for every day: to be a people-first organization where every team member feels valued, supported and empowered.

In 2025, five words have guided our culture, reflecting the principles that power our progress and helped us to achieve this prestigious recognition: gratitude, giving, growth, grace and guidability.

1. Gratitude is at the center of our culture. We celebrate and recognize one another's contributions, knowing that every success at Attain Partners is built on the strength of our team.
2. We embrace giving through service, actively engaging with our communities, supporting mission-driven organizations like the National Kidney Foundation and The Women's Center, and responding with compassion in times of crisis, from the California wildfires to the catastrophic flooding of the Guadalupe River.
3. We foster growth by developing emerging leaders, launching initiatives like the LEAD (Learn, Empower, Adapt, Deliver) Talent Development Program, expanding our capabilities and service offerings, delivering excellence to clients, and driving strong revenue performance. •
4. We champion grace, navigating challenges with empathy, humility and resilience.
5. And we practice guidability by remaining open to feedback, embracing a growth mindset, and staying agile in an ever-evolving world.

As we look ahead, three forces stand out as both the biggest opportunities and toughest challenges: AI, cost recovery reform, and the redefinition of higher education’s value.

AI isn’t just on the horizon—it’s a present reality that’s already reshaping campuses. Today, AI is the heartbeat of institutional transformation, influencing how universities personalize learning, streamline operations, and generate insights that drive smarter decisions and improve outcomes. The opportunity is enormous in rewriting what’s possible, but so is the challenge: institutions are facing a call to action, mandating that they move with agility, build new capabilities, and govern AI responsibly. Those who harness AI with purpose will set the tempo for the next era of education.

Cost recovery reform is at another inflection point and it’s more than a funding debate—it’s a test of an 80-year partnership that’s led to America being the world leader in research and innovation. As agencies revisit cost recovery models, research institutions face real risks—but also a chance to reset strategies for sustainable funding. Done right, reform can unlock smarter strategies that ensures America’s research enterprise continues to thrive and sustains its leadership in research and innovation.

And at the heart of it all, the question of value in higher education looms larger than ever. Students and families are demanding clear outcomes that align with careers, greater equity, and lifelong success. The institutions that dare to break from legacy models, embracing transformation and boldly reimagine student success – how education is delivered and success measured – will define the future of education.

At Attain Partners, we see these dynamics not as headwinds, but as catalysts to help our clients lead with purpose and impact in a rapidly changing world. The future belongs to those willing to ask harder questions, take smarter risks, and lead transformation with purpose.

CMAG: What impact do you think Best Firm to Work For honors will have on your employees? The firm overall? Clients?

The honor of being named a Best Firm to Work For benefits our firm, team members, and clients alike as it reinforces our commitment to take care of our people and live our core values. This award is a reflection of our position as a people-first organization, whether we're serving our team as employers, or partnering with our clients as trusted advisors. We look forward to continuing to drive excellence, achieve the best results for our clients, and attain insanely great outcomes—that's The Attain Way!