Women in consulting

Connect consulting careers through compelling conversations

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Authored by Maria Zambakkides, Partner, Technology Consulting

I love connecting with people because it allows me to seek varying perspectives and gain fresh insights.


In brief

  • My career has been shaped by networking and conversations, which are still the driving force that inspires my progress to this day.
  • Finding the right mentors, building and nurturing a network and leading by example are ways to pay great conversations forward as we pursue our professional goals.

Network and conversations have shaped my career. Focused on finance. Growing in telecommunications. My very first role out of school was a solid training ground for a young professional. When I felt ready to stretch beyond that industry and explore something new, it was the right conversation, at the right time, that opened my eyes to the world of consulting.

In the decades since, I’ve built a diverse career, punctuated by a wide range of consulting experiences. From ERP to process optimization; organizational design, leading global learning to strategy; large-scale transformation to focused risk advisory: every consulting role I’ve had has empowered me with skills and insights I’ve poured into the next position and the one after that. Each role has been uniquely valuable in its own right. The network I’ve built and discussions I’ve had along the way, though, are the driving force that inspires my progress to this day.

I love connecting with people. Colleagues, clients and other consultants. I gain so much from talking to the people around me, seeking out varying perspectives and gaining fresh insight. An informal chat at the office coffee machine. A scheduled sit-down at a client site. Both provide endless inspiration, helping me see things through a new lens, dig deeper into questions, seek out change. And sometimes Simply to be patient. Robust dialogue helps us learn and grow in ways nothing else can.

The incredible thing is, each of us has the power to pay a great conversation forward as we pursue our own professional goals. How?

  • Finding the right mentors and sponsors was huge for me. Sometimes, I sought out these sounding boards myself. Other times, these relationships took shape organically or by chance. There is tremendous value in having a safe space for honest discussion. We need someone we can speak to candidly about the opportunities and obstacles we face. I have been fortunate to find mentors and sponsors throughout my career, each willing to chat opportunities through. At key moments, I’ve had mentors encourage me to slow down and explore further — or take the leap. These discussions have helped me consider new directions, avenues and ideas. I aim to be the same kind of listener, advisor and supporter for others in my network every day.                                                                                                                                              
  • Building and nurturing my network has been a major focus over the years. I’ve met so many smart, talented people. Transforming those conversations into lasting relationships takes time, but I can’t say it enough: invest here. Cultivate your network. Respect it. Create value for those within it. You never know where the next conversation is going to lead you, or how you could play a similarly important role in someone else’s network.                                                                                                                                                                                                        
  • Leading by example motivates me every single day. One of the key reasons I’ve remained in consulting all these years is that with each new leadership role, I find additional opportunities to advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I). I can help more women pull up a seat at the table and join in conversations that compel progress and change for us all. I’ve had the chance to lead and sponsor remarkable alliances, including EY’s Professional Women’s Network and our Pan Asian Professional Network. Together, we’re creating platforms where individuals can speak openly about the factors shaping our careers and lives. Continuing to do so really is my biggest goal. Like so many of you, I want to help build the next generation of leaders. To develop people, share lessons and pave a different path toward an evermore diverse world. That purpose is possible—when we embrace the power of great conversations and keep the dialogue going. 

That said, if you’re up for a good chat, just let me know.  

 


Summary

Dialogue helps us learn and grow in ways nothing else can – the right conversation opened my eyes to the world of consulting. Finding the right mentorship, building lasting relationships and networks and leading by example are ways I found to pay great conversations forward.

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