The Consulting Report is pleased to announce The Top 25 Life Sciences Consultants and Leaders of 2025. Progress in life sciences depends on scientific advances as much as it depends on the systems that support them. The individuals recognized here work in the space where those two elements meet. They advise on decisions that shape research priorities, clinical execution, regulatory preparation, and how organizations use data and technology. Their work includes R&D planning, clinical operations, valuation, financial and regulatory analysis, AI and data programs, and the coordination of large, complex organizations—work that determines whether new ideas can be developed safely and effectively.

Individually, they bring distinct vantage points—some rooted in clinical practice or scientific research, others in commercial strategy, financial rigor, or advanced technology. Taken together, they influence how the sector directs resources, assesses risk, and prepares therapies for real-world use. Their judgment and experience help ensure that scientific progress is supported by sound operations and that new treatments have a clear path to the patients who need them.

​​Among this year’s awardees, Petra Jantzer, Senior Managing Director at Accenture, is recognized for her global leadership in life sciences, uniting deep scientific training with decades of C-level advisory work to guide major biopharma organizations in bringing new medicines to patients while championing gender equity across the industry. Daniel Mathews, Global Life Sciences Leader at EY, is acknowledged for shaping sector strategy across biopharma, providers, and payers worldwide, drawing on experience that spans the pharmaceutical industry, the National Health Service, and large-scale transformation consulting. 

Chris Llewellyn, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company and a physician by training, is noted for his combination of clinical expertise and advisory leadership, co-leading McKinsey’s global Life Sciences practice and guiding health systems, biopharma companies, and national governments on strategy, digital innovation, and major sector investments.

This year’s awardees were selected through a methodical process and careful consideration of each candidate’s career track record and industry contributions. Please join us in celebrating The Top 25 Life Sciences Consultants and Leaders of 2025.

1. Petra Jantzer
Firm: Accenture
Title: Senior Managing Director

Petra Jantzer leads Accenture’s Life Sciences Business globally and is the Account CEO for Novartis. Previously she led Accenture Life Sciences Europe, R&D Europe, and Life Sciences DACH. Before joining Accenture, Petra was a senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, where she led the R&D practice globally and the Pharmaceuticals & Health practice in Switzerland. Petra is also serving on the Boards of Directors for both Accenture AG Switzerland and Accenture Services Switzerland.

Petra has more than 25 years of experience in the bio-pharmaceuticals sector, both as an advisor and as a researcher. She has profound industry and R&D knowledge, deep business process understanding, and two decades of C-level counseling experience to help clients digitally transform their businesses. Her professional roots are in basic science, she holds a PhD in immunology and a master’s degree in molecular biology. Her mission is to support global life science leaders in bringing innovative medicines to patients and ultimately achieve better health outcomes. 

Petra believes that diversity is critical to the success of companies, economies, and societies. This belief motivated her to co-found "Advance - gender equality in Swiss business," a cross-industry association of 150+ mostly blue-chip company members in Switzerland with a joint mission to increase the share of women in senior leadership positions in the Swiss economy. She is honored to represent Switzerland in the G20 EMPOWER initiative to drive gender-equality globally.

Petra is a passionate people developer and firmly believes that leaders need to nurture the next generation to be better than the one before it. During her career, she has been a role model for gender equality in the workplace and beyond and is viewed as a strong force in fostering talent—both male and female.

2. Rick van der Vegte
Firm: FTI Consulting
Title: Senior Managing Director

Rick van der Vegte is a Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting, where he leads the firm’s Life Sciences Core Operations practice. FTI is a global business advisory firm specializing in crisis management, transformation, and complex organizational challenges. The firm supports clients across areas such as financial restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, and operational improvement, and operates with more than 8,300 professionals in 34 countries.

3. Katherine Norris
Firm: Ankura
Title: Senior Managing Director

Katherine Norris is a Senior Managing Director at Ankura, an independent global expert services and advisory firm that delivers end-to-end solutions to help clients navigate critical inflection points involving change, risk, disputes, finance, performance, distress, and transformation. The firm comprises more than 1,800 professionals across 35+ locations worldwide and is recognized for multidisciplinary expertise and its ability to help clients protect, create, and recover value. Katherine specializes in compliance investigations, enforcement matters, and advisory work for life sciences and healthcare organizations, drawing on more than 20 years of experience as a compliance officer and advisor.

At Ankura, Katherine supports boards of directors, chief compliance officers, and legal counsel on complex, high-profile healthcare fraud and abuse matters, including those involving federal scrutiny and executive-level accountability. Her work spans expert testimony, internal investigations, compliance program evaluations, and readiness efforts related to Corporate Integrity Agreements and Deferred Prosecution Agreements. She also leads engagements assessing commercial, regulatory, clinical, and medical affairs operations, as well as high-risk areas such as patient support, promotional practices, and product distribution.

Before joining Ankura, Katherine held senior compliance roles in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, where she oversaw programs operating under Corporate Integrity Agreements, a Pre-Trial Diversion Agreement, and a Non-Prosecution Agreement. She earned a master’s degree in public policy and administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism, philosophy, and psychology from The University of Alabama.

4. Mark Freitas
Firm: Alvarez & Marsal
Title: Managing Director

Mark Freitas is a Managing Director and Life Sciences Practice Leader within Alvarez & Marsal Healthcare’s Industry Group in Boston. Alvarez & Marsal is a global professional services firm that helps organizations address complex business challenges, maximize stakeholder value, and deliver sustainable change. Privately held since 1983, the firm is known for its restructuring heritage, fact-driven approach, and ability to provide practical solutions at critical inflection points. Mark specializes in the intersection of growth, operations, and technology within the life sciences sector.

Mark advises life sciences companies on strategies that enhance enterprise performance, accelerate transformation, and strengthen commercial and medical operations. His work includes guiding organizations through market access strategy, digital and data transformation, and large-scale operational improvements. He has supported leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies on next-generation medical strategy, real-world data initiatives, enterprise pivots, and high-impact transformation programs.

Mark previously served as the global lead of growth and corporate strategy in life sciences at Accenture. He also formerly co-founded the strategy consulting firm Axia, later acquired by Accenture, and earlier held roles as a microbiologist, food and drug lawyer, and head of corporate strategy for ARIAD Pharmaceuticals. Mark earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a JD from Tulane University, and is a member of the bars of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

5. Jonathan Fox
Firm: Deloitte
Title: Managing Director

Jonathan Fox is a Managing Director at Deloitte and is a senior leader within the firm’s Life Sciences practice. Deloitte provides audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world’s most recognized brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune Global 500, and operates through member firms in more than 150 countries to help organizations address complex business challenges and build better futures.

6. Daniel Mathews
Firm: EY
Title: Global Life Sciences Leader

Daniel Mathews is the Global Life Sciences Leader at EY, a British multinational professional services organization and one of the Big Four accounting firms. The firm provides integrated services across assurance, consulting, strategy and transactions, and tax, supporting clients as they navigate complex business, regulatory, and operational challenges. 

Daniel oversees EY’s global and EMEIA life sciences sector strategy, working with biopharma and healthcare organizations to improve patient outcomes while enabling more efficient and sustainable operations. He advises executive teams on large-scale transformation, market access, commercial model evolution, and cross-sector collaboration, drawing on deep experience across pharmaceutical, provider, and payer environments.

Prior to EY, Daniel served as UK managing partner of health and life sciences at Accenture and earlier was a neurology commercial manager at GSK. He began his career in the pharmaceutical industry and later worked within the National Health Service, where he led initiatives in clinical trial acceleration and commercial innovation. Daniel holds a master’s degree in computer and information sciences from the University of Hertfordshire and a bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Bristol.

7. Chris Llewellyn
Firm: McKinsey & Company
Title: Senior Partner

A physician by background, over the last 25 years Chris has gained extensive knowledge and experience through a mix of clinical practice and consulting to industry leaders. For the last four years, he has been the leader of McKinsey's Global Life Sciences practice. Prior to this, he led the firm's digital and artificial intelligence work in the space, having previously led the Medical Products practice.

During his career, Chris has worked with CEOs and other senior business leaders across the entire healthcare sector, with health systems, payers, providers, biopharma companies, medical device manufacturers, diagnostics companies, healthtech companies, services players, and private equity. His passion is getting innovation into the hands of caregivers that can change lives and boost the effectiveness of health systems. His work focuses on transforming company performance, including reshaping strategy, digital transformation, application of Al, defining and implementing novel commercial approaches, refining the operating model, transforming the cost base, improving product development, and finding new sources of growth.

An occasional advisor to national governments, Chris also helps guide large-scale public investments in the life sciences space. He has worked with world leaders on topics ranging from neurotechnology to developing broad-based industrial strategies to attract investment and boost employment in the sector. He is a frequent speaker at industry association meetings and conferences.

More recently, Chris took on the global leadership of McKinsey's Private Capital practice across all industries, serving funds in private equity, venture capital, private credit, real estate, and infrastructure. His work there covers fund strategy, diligence, portfolio company value capture, and transformation and exit, with a continued passion for delivering value through technology and AI. Chris undertook his medical training at Oxford University before moving to London for his clinical training and early years of clinical practice.

8. Nauman Ashraf
Firm: Gartner
Title: Managing Partner

Nauman Ashraf is a Managing Partner at Gartner, a global research and advisory company that provides business and technology insights to leaders across industries. Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, the firm serves organizations in roughly 90 countries. 

9. Gareth Gruffydd
Firm: Protiviti
Title: Managing Director

Gareth Gruffydd is a Managing Director at Protiviti, where he heads the firm’s Southern California Internal Audit and Financial Advisory practice and serves as the global segment leader for Protiviti’s Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences practice. Protivi is a global consulting firm that provides expertise across technology, risk, compliance, and internal audit. The firm delivers solutions to help organizations navigate complex business challenges and serves more than 80% of Fortune 100 companies.

10. Harry Kim
Firm: Alvarez & Marsal
Title: Managing Director

Harry Kim is a Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal, a global professional services firm known for its expertise in turnaround management, operational transformation and business performance improvement. With 30 years of experience, Harry advises organizations across the health and life sciences value chain, with a focus on digital health innovation, enterprise transformation, and growth strategy.

11. Rachel Wieder
Firm: Grant Thornton
Title: Partner

Rachel Wieder is a Partner at Grant Thornton and leads the firm’s Agile & Program Leadership and Life Sciences practice. Grant Thornton is a global network of independent firms providing audit, tax and advisory services to organizations around the world. The firm employs more than 35,000 professionals across over 100 countries.

12. John Lanza
Firm: RSM US
Title: Partner

John Lanza is a Partner and the Life Sciences practice leader at RSM US, a leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services to middle-market companies across the United States and Canada. As part of the global RSM International network, the firm offers clients industry insights and access to more than 65,000 professionals in over 120 countries.

13. Stephen Aherne
Firm: PwC UK
Title: Partner

Stephen Aherne is a Partner at PwC UK. PwC provides assurance, consulting and tax services to help organizations make informed decisions and operate effectively, and spans 157 countries. As leader of the firm’s Pharma and Life Sciences practice, Stephen advises global and emerging companies across the sector on valuation, strategy and growth.

14. Erin Ney
Firm: Bain & Company
Title: Partner

Erin Ney is a Partner at Bain & Company, a global management consultancy that works with organizations to drive strategic, operational and transformational change. Bain operates across 65 cities in 40 countries. Erin is a member of Bain’s Healthcare and Life Sciences practice and brings deep expertise in clinical medicine, healthcare delivery systems and payment models.

15. Ben Paik
Firm: Oliver Wyman
Title: Partner

Ben Paik is a Partner at Oliver Wyman, a global management consulting firm that advises leading organizations on strategy, operations, risk, and transformation. The firm operates in more than 70 cities worldwide and is part of Marsh McLennan.

16. Rich Asiodche
Firm: Armanino
Title: Partner

Rich Asiodche is an audit partner with over 20 years of experience in financial statement and integrated audits. As the Pacific Northwest Audit Leader at Armanino, an independent accounting and consulting firm, Rich leads audits in life sciences, technology, and emerging growth sectors. He is also Armanino’s national Life Sciences leader, advising pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies on complex accounting matters including revenue recognition, M&A, financial instruments, and tax strategies.

Rich previously worked in audit at Ernst & Young LLP and held leadership roles at Ascend Seattle Chapter, Keiro Northwest, and is currently Treasurer at St. Thomas School in Medina, WA. A graduate of the Moore Executive Leadership Program at the Harvard Business School, Rich holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting (cum laude) from San Beda University. His career reflects a blend of technical expertise, leadership in life sciences, and advocacy for science, education and health.

17. Thomas Filaire
Firm: Artefact
Title: Partner

Thomas Filaire is a Partner at Artefact, where he leads initiatives within the firm’s Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals Consulting practice, leveraging his expertise at the intersection of data, AI, and life sciences. Artefact is a global consulting firm that helps organizations adopt data and artificial intelligence to drive tangible business results. The firm provides end-to-end services, including data strategy, AI factory development, data platforms, and data-driven marketing, partnering with leading global brands across industries. 

Thomas focuses on transforming data into actionable business insights, driving enterprise-wide data strategy, and implementing advanced analytics solutions for clients. His work includes building data offices, operationalizing AI projects, and supporting large-scale international programs to enhance organizational performance and value creation.

Earlier in his career, Thomas was the strategy and consulting, applied intelligence, and life science lead for France & Benelux at Accenture and a senior manager of AI and advanced analytics at EY. Before that, he worked with UCB as associate director of advanced analytics. He holds a Grande École diploma in finance, economics, and statistics from ENSAE ParisTech, a Grande École diploma in general engineering from École Centrale de Lille, and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics from Lycée Louis-le-Grand.

18. Liz Claydon
Firm: KPMG UK
Title: Partner

Liz Claydon is a Global Sector Lead for Life Sciences at KPMG, a provider of audit, tax, and advisory services across industries. Liz serves as Global Head of Deal Advisory, leading a network of 18,000 professionals who support clients through complex transactions and transformation initiatives. 

19. David Nadell
Firm: Kroll
Title: Managing Director

David Nadell is a Managing Director at Kroll, a multinational financial and risk advisory firm that provides services in valuation, cyber security, restructuring, investigations, and regulatory compliance. David is part of Kroll’s Strategic Value Advisory practice within the healthcare and life sciences industry group, based in the Silicon Valley office.

20. Christiana Voelker
Firm: Avanade
Title: Health & Life Sciences Industry Lead

Christiana Voelker is the Health & Life Sciences Industry Lead at Avanade, a global professional services company specializing in IT consulting and services on the Microsoft platform. A joint venture between Accenture and Microsoft, Avanade helps organizations transform their businesses through digital innovation, artificial intelligence, and cloud solutions. 

Her work centers on advancing digital capabilities that improve patient experience, broaden access to personalized care, and reinforce operational performance across healthcare organizations. Christiana supports clients as they adopt cloud, AI, and other emerging technologies, ensuring these tools translate into practical improvements in care delivery and measurable outcomes.

Her earlier experience includes implementation consulting at McKesson Health IT, followed by roles with Tribridge and DXC Technology as a global product manager. She earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership and a bachelor’s degree in human and organizational development from Vanderbilt University.

21. Narasimhan Aravamudhan
Firm: Zifo Technologies
Title: VP, Scientific Data and AI

Narasimhan Aravamudhan is the Vice President of Scientific Data and AI at Zifo Technologies, a global scientific informatics consulting and services firm. Zifo helps science-driven organizations innovate by managing and transforming their data across R&D, manufacturing, and clinical trials, providing services such as AI/ML platforms, cloud solutions, bioinformatics, and compliance with GxP and FAIR principles. The company serves over 190 science-focused organizations worldwide.

Drawing on deep experience in scientific data strategy, Narasimhan works with clients to embed AI into core research and operational processes. He focuses on enterprise adoption of generative and agentic models, the design of scalable blueprints, and the delivery of proofs of concept that advance scientific productivity and commercial outcomes.

Narasimhan’s career foundation includes roles with Infosys Technologies as a project manager and Bitech as a software engineer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Madras.

22. Brad Stewart
Firm: BDO
Title: National Leader – Life Sciences

The leader of BDO’s Life Sciences practice, Brad Stewart is a serial biotech CEO who brings over three decades of experience across the biopharmaceutical industry.  From pre-revenue to large public companies, Brad guides clients through complex opportunities critical to leadership, strategic transformation, value creation, manufacturing, commercialization, and compliance – allowing clients to achieve key business milestones and maximize shareholder value.

With a proven track record of commercializing life sciences companies on a global scale, Brad’s work centers on designing initiatives that drive sustainable top- and bottom-line results. He is recognized for his ability to master operational details while steering high-impact strategic programs across complex corporate environments.

Brad is also a dedicated advocate for the global life sciences industry.  In the US, he chaired Maryland Life Sciences for a decade, the State affiliate of BIO, and is currently Chair of the Maryland Tech Council.  Brad has served in multiple Chief Executive, Board and Board Advisory roles across a diverse range of specialty-areas of the life sciences industry including: immunology, oncology, organ transplant, orphan drugs, diagnostics, plus development and management of global joint ventures.  He also has extensive management consulting experience from leading the life sciences corporate strategy practices for three major international consulting firms.

23. Kavitha Lokesh
Firm: Cognizant
Title: Vice President

Kavitha Lokesh is Vice President at Cognizant, a global professional services company that provides IT consulting and digital solutions across industries, including life sciences, AI, and analytics. The firm helps organizations transform their operations and technology capabilities to drive growth, innovation, and efficiency. 

24. Nirlipta Panda
Firm: Capgemini
Title: Vice President

Nirlipta Panda is Vice President at Capgemini, a global consulting and technology services company that helps organizations drive digital transformation, improve business operations, and achieve growth through solutions in AI, cloud, data, and digital engineering. 

25. Nathan Albano
Firm: Marsh
Title: Senior Vice President

Nathan Albano is Senior Vice President at Marsh, where he specializes in serving Marsh’s technology and life sciences clients. Marsh provides data-driven risk solutions, consulting, and claims advocacy services to commercial and individual clients, supporting organizations in over 130 countries with approximately 45,000 professionals.

In his current role, Nathan focuses on strategic account management, risk advisory, and delivering tailored solutions that address the unique challenges of the technology and life sciences sectors. He leverages deep industry knowledge to build strong client relationships, implement strategic account plans, and guide organizations through complex risk and business issues.

Nathan previously worked as an account executive at Aon and an account manager at Crystal & Company and began his career in business development at Couch Braunsdorf Insurance Group. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.