Jay Laabs, CEO, Spaulding Ridge

# 8 - Midsize Firm Category

HEADQUARTERS: Chicago

NUMBER OF BILLABLE CONSULTANTS: 478

CLIENT INDUSTRIES SERVED: Manufacturing, High-tech, CPG and Retail, Health Care and Life Sciences, Sports and Entertainment, Private Equity, Energy and Utilities, Finance and Business Services, Higher Education

CONSULTING SERVICE LINES: Implementation Services, Integrations, Data & Analytics, Cloud Managed Services, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Change Management

Spaulding Ridge is the modern GSI for the modern executive team. We combine the flexibility of a boutique consultancy and the depth of a traditional GSI with a commitment to our clients. By leveraging best-in-cloud technology and strategic insights, we deliver harmony, clarity and time to enterprise companies. Spaulding Ridge helps businesses run more effectively by: - Assessing existing systems and processes - Implementing leading technologies to support business needs - Unifying teams and processes with a modern data foundation - Enabling clarity and insights from data and technology - Optimizing business operations

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

At Spaulding Ridge, we believe all business is personal. Each interaction with clients and colleagues is an opportunity to connect and contribute to mutual success. We work with leading companies across the globe, giving our teams the necessary autonomy for efficient execution, which truly differentiates us from our competitors. Our unwavering commitment to our core values is what earned us the honor of being recognized as a Best Firm to Work For. We encourage a dynamic, entrepreneurial mindset, enabling our teams to innovate, explore new horizons, and deliver outstanding solutions to our clients. We believe in a holistic approach to career development, emphasizing continuous learning, skill enhancement, and opportunities for career progression within the organization. We actively promote a workplace that celebrates differences, provides equal opportunities, and embraces a wide range of perspectives. And we believe in equity, transparency and continuous investment in our people, empowering them to reach new peaks in their professional and personal life. By continuously learning and evolving how we operate, we’re not only creating an exceptional employee experience, we’re also delivering outstanding service to our clients.

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

At Spaulding Ridge, we’ve made meaningful investments in our People & Culture function, building strong teams dedicated to attracting, developing and supporting top talent. Our commitment to continuous learning is reflected in a variety of growth opportunities, including structured learning paths, a dynamic mentorship program, opt-in training sessions and a generous learning stipend. These initiatives empower our people to shape their careers in ways that align with their passions and values. We also foster community and belonging through four vibrant Employee Resource Groups (ERGs):

  • Women Elevate supports women in tech through connection and empowerment.
  • PROUD champions LGBTQIA+ inclusion and advocacy.
  • Mental Wellness Alliance promotes mental health awareness and well-being.
  • Culture, Race & Ethnicity celebrates diversity and advances cultural competence.

Beyond our internal culture, we believe that business can, and should, be a force for good. Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts reflect this belief through three pillars:

  • Sustainability: We’re committed to reducing our environmental impact. Internally, we’ve transitioned to a nearly paperless workplace and are actively reducing travel emissions.
  • Giving Time: Every employee is required to complete at least 12 hours of community service annually. We don’t just encourage volunteerism, we embed it into our culture. We provide opportunities for our team members to engage with local organizations and take on leadership roles in causes they care about. Whether it’s mentoring youth, supporting food banks or participating in environmental cleanups, our bandmates are making a tangible difference in their communities.
  • Charitable Contributions: We donate 1% of our annual revenue to nonprofits worldwide. Our giving is employee-driven, prioritizing organizations aligned with our values and where our people are already making an impact. At Spaulding Ridge, purpose is woven into everything we do, from how we grow our people to how we serve the world.
CMAG: In describing your firm, what would you say sets it apart from other consulting firms?

At Spaulding Ridge, we believe our greatest competitive edge lies in how we serve our clients and the values that guide us: All Business is Personal, Efficient Execution, Culture Forward and Think Global. While many consulting firms share similar ideals, we lead with ours, embedding them into every client interaction and internal decision. We go beyond expectations, combining the scale and expertise to solve complex challenges for Fortune 500 companies with the personalized, relationship-driven approach of a boutique firm. Our multi-platform offerings deliver value across a wide range of business functions, and our consultants bring the technical depth needed to drive cohesive cloud transformations. This ensures our clients gain the operational efficiency and data visibility they need to thrive. From day one, learning and development have been central to our culture. Every team member—affectionately known as part of “the band”—has access to a rich set of growth resources, including a learning stipend, formal mentorship and regular shared learning sessions. We empower junior team members to take initiative and make an impact early in their careers, while our senior leaders are committed to fostering a supportive, growth-oriented environment. This model works because our people believe in it, and with many of our Managing Directors having started as junior employees, the results speak for themselves.

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

Looking ahead, Spaulding Ridge is making a focused investment in expanding our data capabilities. In an increasingly complex business environment, robust data infrastructure is essential for sound strategic decision-making. Our goal is to become the partner of choice for organizations seeking clear, actionable insights from their data. We’re also accelerating our global expansion. With 13 offices worldwide, we offer the flexibility and reach to deliver projects wherever our clients need us. In the coming year, we anticipate significant growth in the APAC region to better support our clients around the clock. As we scale, we remain committed to the Brewers Model—our unique approach to talent development inspired by my favorite baseball team, the Milwaukee Brewers. This model emphasizes nurturing emerging talent and supplementing with experienced hires when needed. It’s a strategy that has proven successful across regions, industries and service lines—and we’re confident it will continue to fuel our growth.

CMAG: What opportunities do you see as the most promising?

We’re especially energized by the growing opportunities in the data and analytics space. Many of our clients continue to face challenges in turning their data into actionable insights. While they may be collecting and storing vast amounts of information, they often lack the ability to connect the dots and see the full picture. We believe the organizations that will lead in the future are those that can unlock the insights needed to drive meaningful change. As AI and other emerging technologies continue to expand what’s possible, even foundational data fluency will become a powerful differentiator. Our team brings innovative, tailored solutions to these challenges, grounded in deep industry expertise and a strong understanding of the cross-functional collaboration required to drive adoption and impact. We don’t just deliver technical solutions; we help build alignment across stakeholders to ensure lasting success. When it comes to growth, our most exciting opportunities often come from those who know us best, our current and former clients. This speaks to the strength of our values in action. By becoming trusted partners and deeply understanding our clients’ evolving needs, we uncover new ways to add value. Spaulding Ridge is well-positioned to continue building long-term, multi-service relationships that drive mutual growth and success.

CMAG: What market forces do you see as the most challenging?

In today’s climate of economic uncertainty and geopolitical complexity, we recognize that our clients are under increasing pressure to improve financial performance while managing costs more carefully. As organizations become more selective with their investments and consolidate their vendor relationships, they’re looking for partners who can deliver measurable impact. At Spaulding Ridge, we’re confident in our ability to meet that need. Spaulding Ridge is the modern GSI for the modern Executive Team. What sets us apart is not just our technical expertise, but the values we bring to every engagement. By staying intentional about the solutions we offer and nurturing the “All Business is Personal” relationships we’re known for, we aim to be a strategic, long-term partner in our clients’ success.

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

We’re proud to once again be recognized as Best Firm to Work For, an acknowledgement that reinforces what we’ve always believed: our culture is working. Supporting and believing in our people is at the heart of our success. At Spaulding Ridge, culture isn’t something you inherit, it’s something you opt-in to. As we grow, this recognition helps us attract individuals who are not only talented, but who also care deeply about the impact of their work and want to be part of something meaningful. We’ll continue to draw in professionals who value purpose, growth and a rewarding work experience, because they see that our values aren’t just words on a wall, but the foundation of how we operate every day.

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