The Consulting Report is pleased to announce The Top 25 Digital Transformation Consultants and Leaders of 2024. With the large majority of corporate CEOs focused on digital transformation as a strategic priority, the leading consulting firms have focused on building bigger and better teams to best advise and deliver on this area of expertise. Moreover, management teams recognize the quickly growing importance of leveraging artificial intelligence. It is estimated that 40% of large organizations will have implemented artificial intelligence across all business functions by 2027, compared to 10% in 2023. From this strategic focus on AI, to finding new ways to improve the customer experience through mobile apps, and automating corporate processes, digital transformation will only continue to be prioritized in coming years, and its success requires skilled leaders and innovative thinkers to lead the charge.
Among this year’s awardees is Brad Collins, a Partner and the Enterprise Digital Transformation Leader at RSM US LLP, an audit, tax, and consulting company that has grown to become the fifth-largest accounting firm in the U.S. Meanwhile, Jean-Laurent Poitou, Managing Director of Alvarez & Marsal, is responsible for leading and expanding digital services across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. We’re also featuring Stephan Krubasik, a Partner and Managing Director at Kearney, who designs artificial intelligence-powered supply chain management systems, implements generative AI-powered procurement functions, and is co-responsible for Optano, an operations AI firm recently acquired by Kearney.
The selected consultants and leaders have emerged as catalysts for change, driving more growth and competitive advantage in an increasingly digital world. Please join us in celebrating The Top 25 Digital Transformation Consultants and Leaders of 2024.
1. Stephan Krubasik
Firm: Kearney
Title: Partner and Managing Director; Global Co-Lead for Digital Operations and High-Value Realization
Stephan Krubasik is a Partner and Managing Director at Kearney, a management consulting company with offices across the world. At Kearney, Krubasik also serves as the Global Co-Lead for Digital Operations and High-Value Realization, a role in which he designs artificial intelligence-powered supply chain management systems and implements generative AI-powered procurement functions. Additionally, Krubasik is co-responsible for Optano, an operations AI firm that Kearney just acquired.
Krubasik joined Kearney in 2005 as a partner and managing director with a focus on the automotive, transportation, and industrial industries. In 2020, he became the lead of Kearney's automotive practice in Europe. In 2022, he became the global co-lead of Kearney Analytics. He assumed his current position in 2024. Krubasik earned a diploma in industrial engineering from the Technical University of Braunschweig.
2. Jean-Laurent Poitou (tie)
Firm: Alvarez & Marsal
Title: Managing Director
Jean-Laurent Poitou is the Managing Director of Alvarez & Marsal, a global professional firm specializing in turnaround management and performance improvement. The company has more than 9,000 employees in locations across the world. Poitou joined Alvarez & Marsal in 2021 and is currently responsible for leading and expanding digital services across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Previously, Poitou spent most of his career at Accenture, a multinational professional services company. During his 14 years with the business, he served as the European lead for Accenture’s applied intelligence services. Additionally, he worked as managing director, consulting practitioner, and the global consulting lead for communications, media, and technology. Poitou has also served as an industrial adviser to the EQT Group, a Swedish global investment organization. He holds a bachelor’s in engineering from Paris Ecole Polytechnique.
2. Bob Ghafouri (tie)
Firm: Alvarez & Marsal
Title: Managing Director of A&MPLIFY
Bob Ghafouri is the Managing Director of A&MPLIFY by Alvarez and Marsal, a global professional firm that helps clients define growth strategies, develop and launch customer experiences, analyze data, and engineer digital products. A&MPLIFY serves businesses in the retail and consumer goods; media and entertainment; travel, leisure, and hospitality; healthcare and life sciences; and industrials and automotive industries. Ghafouri joined A&MPLIFY in 2022.
Prior to joining A&M, Ghafouri served as chief commercial officer of Red Ventures, a digital media holding. Before that experience, he was senior managing director and co-founder of Accenture Interactive, a digital business unit of a multinational professional services company called Accenture. In addition, Ghafouri founded, launched, and scaled three digital businesses in the government, retail, and real estate industries.
Ghafouri currently serves as a Venture Partner with NextGen Venture Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Penn State University.
4. Cassie Walls
Firm: Accenture
Title: Managing Director
Cassie Walls is a Managing Director at Accenture, a multinational professional services company specializing in information technology services and consulting. Headquartered in Ireland, Accenture is considered the largest consulting firm in the world.
5. Sabine Spittler
Firm: Kearney
Title: Partner and Managing Director
Sabine Spittler is a Partner and Managing Director in Kearney’s digital and analytics practice and the global lead for Kearney’s customer and growth business area.
Based in the firm’s Berlin office, Her expertise includes enhancing digital strategy by developing road maps to customer experience, business model innovation, capability building and upskilling programs, and adjusting the operational setup and organization around new digital capabilities. Much of this work revolves around helping firms whose products and services end up in consumers’ hands, meaning everything comes back to people.
Spittler typically works with CPG clients in manufacturing, consumables, beauty, and electronics. She works collaboratively through long-term transformation projects by defining client goals and digital growth strategies and supporting them in fostering scalability and excellence in each area. Spittler and her team work alongside clients to set up their ecosystem to optimize their direct-to-consumer business, ensuring they regenerate their way of working from a product-centric to a consumer-centric operating model.
Spittler graduated from Otto Beisheim School of Management with a masters in international management, WHU and from EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Rech with an undergraduate degree in business law.
6. Dieter Gerdemann
Firm: Kearney
Title: Partner and Co-Founder, BinaryCore
Dieter Gerdemann is a Senior Partner at Kearney with more than 20 years of strategy, operations, and high-tech experience. He is also the co-founder of BinaryCore, a pioneering technology transformation company supporting organizations with their technology investment and management, software development, and cloud strategies. Gerdemann has spearheaded numerous strategic initiatives throughout his career, driving business transformations, performance enhancements, and digital growth strategies for global enterprises.
Gerdemann is the new European lead for Kearney’s Digital & Analytics practice. He has published and spoken on a variety of technology and digital transformation-related topics in the national press and at conferences. He also served on the board of the German American Business Association in Silicon Valley. Before joining Kearney, Dieter worked as a consultant at Computer Sciences Corporation and Sapient. He earned his master’s degree in computer science from the University of Würzburg in Germany and his MBA from the Rotterdam School of Management at Erasmus University in the Netherlands.
7. Anupriya Ramraj
Firm: PwC
Title: Partner, Cloud and Digital
Anupriya Ramraj is a Partner with PwC's Cloud and Digital Practice, having joined the company in 2022. In her position at PwC, which is a multinational professional services brand of firms, Ramraj helps Fortune Global 500 clients navigate tech-based challenges.
Previously, she was the vice president of cloud services at Unisys, a global technology solutions company. She has also held leadership positions at DXC Technology and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Ramraj started her career in 1996 as a software engineer at Siemens Communication Software. Pamraj graduated from California State University, Chico with a master’s degree in computer science and from PSG College of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in engineering.
8. Brad Collins
Firm: RSM US LLP
Title: Partner and Enterprise Digital Transformation Leader
Brad Collins is RSM US LLP’s first Enterprise Digital Transformation leader. RSM is an audit, tax, and consulting firm for the middle market. It is the fifth largest accounting firm in the United States and employs more than 17,000 professionals across 93 cities nationwide and in Canada. Through RSM International, the firm brings together more than 51,000 professionals from over 800 offices located in more than 123 countries.
Collins and his global team are responsible for discovery of new technologies, startups and disruptive forces while leading enterprise efforts to identify ways to leverage emerging technologies such as generative AI to grow and add value to RSM and its clients.
Previously he created and led RSM’s Center for Advanced Tax Technology (C.A.T.T.) which comprises over 250+ global technology savvy professionals focused on design, development and delivery of innovative tax technology solutions. C.A.T.T. was formed and operates as a nimble startup within RSM’s global infrastructure designed to deliver innovative software solutions to a growing and technologically sophisticated clientele.
Collins brings an innovative approach from his 20+ years of experience to solve complex problems aligning the most effective technology solutions to enable efficient processes. He leverages his technological curiosity to lead RSM’s efforts to identify opportunities for clients to eliminate tax data management challenges.
Collins earned his doctorate of law from Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, his MBA from Duquesne University, and his bachelor’s in political science and psychology from Washington and Jefferson College.
9. Conrad Heider
Firm: Simon-Kucher
Title: Partner and Head of Simon-Kucher Elevate
Conrad Heider is a Partner at Simon-Kucher and spearheads the firm’s digital team, Simon-Kucher Elevate, as its Global Head. With over 15 years of experience, he drives digital transformation and delivers measurable results for his clients. The “trademark” of his consulting work is to always aspire to deliver fast and hands-on impact on growth via fast piloting, MVPs and proof of concepts.
Simon-Kucher is a global consultancy firm with over 2,000 employees in 30+ countries focused on unlocking better growth that drives measurable revenue and profit for its clients. This is achieved by optimizing every lever of its clients’ commercial strategies – product, price, innovation, marketing, and sales – based on deep insights into what customers want and value. Elevate, Simon-Kucher’s cutting-edge digital consulting team, is dedicated to commercial growth through combining the latest technologies, experience design, artificial intelligence, and machine learning with commercial consulting expertise. This dynamic team of digital innovators and data scientists optimizes the entire customer journey across all sectors, serving clients ranging from Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 firms to unicorns.
Under Heider’s leadership, Simon-Kucher Elevate has witnessed remarkable growth, expanding into a global division with over 70 digital specialists across the globe. At Simon-Kucher, Heider specializes in digital sales and marketing transformation, B2B and B2C ecommerce, as well as advanced pricing and marketing optimizations through AI/ML. His extensive experience spans a wide range of industries – consumer goods, retail, energy, financial services, software, and mobile app businesses.
Prior to joining Simon-Kucher in 2020, Heider worked as a principal at Kearney, helping clients drive their growth and performance agenda by achieving excellence in digital customer experience. This included transforming their operating models as well as building up the right capabilities to unleash the vast potential of technology. His practical expertise is further highlighted by his past role as Director of Strategy and Intelligence at Freeletics, Germany's leading B2C app fitness scale-up.
Heider earned his Master of Public Administration from the London School of Economics and his Master of Public Policy from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin. He has a BSc in European studies from Maastricht University.
10. Hanish Patel
Firm: Deloitte
Title: Managing Director
Hanish Patel is a Managing Director with Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a British multinational professional services network. Deloitte is the largest professional services network by revenue and number of employees in the world. Patel has been working for the company since 2012.
11. Rob van Dale
Firm: Kearney
Title: Senior Partner and Middle East and Africa Lead for Digital and Analytics
Rob van Dale is a Senior Partner and Middle East and Africa Lead for Digital and Analytics at Kearney. Founded in 1926, Kearney is a management consulting company that serves clients in industries such as aerospace and defense, automotive, chemicals, communications media and technology, consumer products and retail, transportation, and infrastructure and utilities. Van Dale joined the company in 2004.
Before coming to Kearney, van Dale worked as an analyst at Rabobank, a Dutch multinational banking and financial services company headquartered in Utrecht, Netherlands. Van Dale earned a master’s degree in computer information systems from the University of Michigan. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in international business and strategic management from Erasmus University.
12. Partha Gopalakrishnan
Firm: Brane Group
Title: President and Partner
Partha Gopalakrishnan is President and Partner of the Brane Group, a business consulting firm that specializes in systems integration and technology, business process outsourcing, technology support, applications outsourcing, business process automation, and artificial intelligence. Gopalakrishnan came to the company in 2023.
Previously, Gopalakrishnan founded PG Advisors, a boutique advisory and management consultancy firm. He was also a senior vice president and global head of insurance Europe at Tech Mahindra. Additionally, he has worked with Infosys as portfolio head of insurance Europe. He started his career in 2003 as a project manager at ITC Limited.
Gopalakrishnan graduated from Pondicherry University with an MBA and from the University of Madras with an undergraduate degree in electronics and communications. He is currently a member of the Forbes Business Council.
13. Bernd Schreiber
Firm: Arthur D. Little
Title: Managing Partner and Head of Global Operations Management Practice
Bernd Schreiber is a Managing Partner and Head of Global Operations Management Practice at Arthur D. Little, an international management consulting firm. Founded in the 19th century, the company offers services such as information management, digital problem solving, marketing and sales, operations management, organization and transformation, sustainability, and technology and innovation management.
14. Sumeet Gupta
Firm: FTI Consulting
Title: Senior Managing Director
Sumeet Gupta is a Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting, a business consultancy firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. The company specializes in corporate finance and restructuring, economic consulting, forensic and litigation consulting, strategic communications, and technology.
15. Bharath Thota
Firm: Kearney
Title: Partner and Chief Solutions Officer of Analytics
Bharath Thota is a Partner of Kearney in the firm's Digital and Analytics practice. Since joining Kearney in early 2006, Bharath has been pivotal in scaling its analytics practice, and has since grown to be a leader in the digital and analytics domain. He is passionate about the potential of AI and data science to solve complex and challenging problems for clients across various industries and functions.
His work involves applying AI and cutting-edge technologies to help clients’ enhance their business performance, streamline operations, and foster an insights-driven culture. He is also a frequent speaker on the intersection of AI and business, often illustrating the transformative power of AI through tangible examples.
Besides his client work, Bharath spearheads Kearney’s AI program, aimed at nurturing an environment of AI innovation and integration across the firm. He is also the founder of Kearney's Data Science Center of Excellence, a global team of AI scientists that develops bespoke solutions for clients, and the Solutions Factory, a pioneering platform within Kearney for the innovation and incubation of digital assets, cementing his status as a trailblazer in the field of AI and digital transformation.
16. Jiten Kachhela
Firm: PA Consulting Group
Title: Partner and Global Head of Digital and Data
Jiten Kachhela is a Partner and Global Head of Digital and Data at PA Consulting Group, a professional services firm that works with public, private, and third-sector organizations. PA works with clients in the consumer and manufacturing, defense and security, energy and utilities, financial services, public services, healthcare and life sciences, and transport industries.
17. Joan Smith
Firm: Protiviti
Title: Managing Director and Global Solutions Lead
Joan Smith is a Managing Director and Global Solutions Lead at Protiviti Digital, a global business consulting firm that offers services in strategy, transformation, customer experience, and technology. In her role, Smith is responsible for strategic planning, marketing strategy, program management, customer experience, direct marketing, and digital marketing.
18. Mario Desiderio
Firm: Huron Consulting Group
Title: Managing Director
Mario Desiderio is a Managing Director at Huron Consulting Group, a management consulting firm offering services to the healthcare, life sciences, commercial, and higher education industries. Headquartered in Chicago, Huron has 25 global locations across North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific.
19. Shigeto Miyamoto
Firm: Syneos Health
Title: Vice President of Digital Solutions for APAC
Shigeto Miyamoto is the Vice President of Digital Solutions for the Asia Pacific region at Syneos Health, a pharmaceutical commercial company. Headquartered in North Carolina, Syneos Health provides contract research and commercial services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Miyamoto joined the company in 2023.
Previously, Miyamoto served as head of omnichannel experience, strategy, and planning at Bristol Myers Squibb, a global biopharmaceutical company based in Atlanta, Georgia. He also worked as the director of marketing at MetLife, an insurance and employee benefits provider; a manager at KPMG International Limited, a multinational professional services network; and managing director of Cyber Secure Asia. Miyamoto earned a master’s degree from Victoria University and received his MBA from the Institut Européen d'Administration des Affaires (INSEAD). He currently serves as a business coach for INSEAD.
20. Sarah Dey Burton
Firm: Bain and Company
Title: Expert Partner
Sarah Dey Burton is an Expert Partner at Bain and Company, a management consulting company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The firm services organizations in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
21. Badrinath Panyam
Firm: Marsh McLennan
Title: Senior Vice President of Digital Transformation and Analytics
Badrinath Panyam is the Senior Vice President of Digital Transformation and Analytics at Marsh McLennan, a global professional services firm. In his role, Panyam specializes in digital transformation, cloud strategy, information architecture, application support, and data analytics. Management with an MBA.
22. Guy Wolfenden
Firm: CGI
Title: Vice President of Digital Transformation and Central Government
Guy Wolfenden joined CGI in 2013, and is the Vice President of Digital Transformation and Central Government. Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest information technology and business consulting services firms in the world. CGI is based in more than 40 countries with more than 91,000 employees.
23. Tahera Zamanzada
Firm: ICF
Title: Vice President of Digital Transformation
Tahera Zamanzada is the Vice President of Digital Transformation at ICF, a global firm that supports clients in initiatives focused on operations management, finance, and transformation. Zamanzada joined the company in 2022 and currently consults on the challenges surrounding digital transformation, cloud adoption, and technology modernization.
24. Pepe Tam
Firm: Softtek
Title: Vice President of Digital Transformation
Pepe Tam is the Vice President of Digital Transformation at Softtek, a Mexico-based information technology company. Founded in 1982, Softtek has 15,000 associates in Mexico and abroad and is the largest private information technologies vendor in Latin America.
25. Jonathan Johnson
Firm: The Hackett Group
Title: Principal, Strategy and Business Transformation
Jonathan is a Principal (Partner) within Hackett’s Strategy & Business Transformation Practice where he helps clients optimize their efficiency and effectiveness through large scale transformation efforts across multiple functions and industries, with an emphasis on helping CFOs transform finance through value creation and capability building across the enterprise.
Johnson has proven success in advising executives on the creation and execution of multi-year strategies to transform and modernize finance organizations through strategically integrating and optimizing their processes, systems, and organizational structures. He is a strong believer in servant leadership and has a passion for mentoring and helping his clients and colleagues. He has served a number of industries, including Consumer Products, Lifesciences, Manufacturing and Telecom.
Johnson graduated with honors, high distinction from The University of Texas at Dallas where he earned a Master of Science in management and administrative sciences and Bachelor of Science in finance, accounting and information management; as well as a certificate in Data and Analytics from MIT. He is also a Charted Global Management Accountant (CGMA) and a licensed CPA in the state of Texas.
