Articles
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
Q: What led you to join the Green Leaf team?
A: In 2021, I received a message from Jeff Keller, a colleague I had worked with in the past, asking if I was interested in joining the Green Leaf team. At the time, I wasn’t actively looking for a new role, but I had been feeling ready for a change. I trusted Jeff’s judgment but had questions about working for a consulting agency. I needed to be sure this was the right move, especially with the prospect of relocating to Atlanta. Jeff introduced me to Neil and Steve, and they addressed all my concerns, reassuring me that this transition would be a positive one, both professionally and personally.
Q: What keeps you here?
A: The people are a big part of why I stay. Everyone at Green Leaf shares the same values and mindset as the people I like to surround myself with. It’s a very open and communicative environment, which I appreciate. The work is also incredibly fulfilling. I’m constantly challenged and given opportunities to grow, which keeps me engaged.
Q: What are your area(s) of specialty?
A: I specialize in knowing a lot about a wide range of topics while always seeking to learn more. My background is in engineering, but I also earned an MBA in finance and accounting from LaSalle. I worked at a Big 4 accounting firm in audit and asset management, where I developed deep expertise in finance, accounting, and business operations. This experience allows me to see across different industries and apply diverse insights to my daily work and client needs. It also keeps me from being pigeonholed into one niche, which I find helps me think differently and remain adaptable.
Q: Can you tell us about your journey and how your past experiences have led you to your current area(s) of specialty?
A: There wasn’t one specific defining moment, but rather an evolution shaped by industry trends and market demands. In the 2000s, the focus was on finance, while the 2010s brought a major shift toward technology. During my time at Morgan Lewis, I worked on practice strategy, and at Chubb, I became more tech-focused. We tackled big data challenges like streamlining underwriting processes and cutting down lengthy questionnaires to just two questions – thanks to data consolidation. This transition from finance to technology felt natural, and ultimately led me to Green Leaf.
Q: What aspects of technology are you most passionate about, and how do you see these aligning with your role at GL?
A: I’m passionate about AI, machine learning, and data analytics – particularly how they can provide actionable insights. My goal is to use these technologies to deliver factual, actionable intelligence to individuals and businesses. I’d love to be part of developing products and services that leverage AI and data to drive meaningful outcomes.
ROLE AT GL
Q: What’s one of the most important, interesting, or exciting projects you’ve worked on at GL, and what made it so special for you?
A: A standout project for me was with a leading insurance provider. The sheer scope of the project and the tight timeframe made it a significant challenge. What made it exciting was the support I received from my team. It was my first time consulting for a startup, and they were in the middle of an acquisition spree. Every time we finished consolidating data from one business, they’d have another acquisition ready for us. It was an intense, fast-paced environment, but incredibly rewarding.
Q: How have you seen your role evolve and how do you see it continuing to evolve? What are the key contributions you aim to make?
A: As I worked on the project mentioned earlier, my responsibilities expanded across different segments. I started in operations, but my role grew to encompass finance and underwriting. At one point, I was managing updates from 27 different people. Moving forward, I want Green Leaf to be seen as a leader in fractional technology services. We’re capable of filling critical leadership roles, guiding teams, and increasing productivity. I’ve set up PMOs in the past and believe we can help companies streamline their operations and IT by training executives and implementing agile methodologies.
Q: Can you tell us about a personal philosophy or approach that guides your work in tech and in serving clients?
A: My guiding philosophy is simple: I want to ensure I’m never a burden to my team. I take full responsibility for my work and aim to perform at 100% every day. If I don’t do my job, someone else will have to pick up the slack, and that’s not fair to my peers.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP & LOOKING AHEAD
Q: In your opinion, what are the major trends that will shape the technology consulting industry in the next five years?
A: Blockchain is a major trend to watch. While everyone talks about crypto, it’s the underlying technology that has the most potential. In 2019, people focused on NFTs, but blockchain could also be used for preserving digital assets like music records or TV shows. As more people buy digital media, we need to consider how to store and protect those assets – blockchain could be the solution.
Q: How do you stay updated with the rapid changes in technology, and how do you foresee the evolution of the tech consultant’s role?
A: LinkedIn has been an invaluable resource. I follow what my peers are doing and stay ahead of the curve by learning from their experiences. LinkedIn Learning is also a great tool for picking up new skills and certifications.
Q: What leadership qualities do you think are most important for driving innovation in the technology side of companies today?
A: Leaders must be open to constructive criticism and feedback and ensure that these insights lead to real change. Another key quality is the ability to manage upwards, not just downwards. I’ve seen projects where feedback was given year after year, but nothing changed. This leads to burnout and causes great talent to leave. Managers have a responsibility to their teams, and part of that is advocating for their needs to upper management.
Q: With the rise of AI and data analytics, what ethical considerations do you believe tech leaders should prioritize?
A: Privacy is a major concern. I’m careful about what I share online and in person. AI has the potential to gather extensive information and influence people’s actions. It’s crucial that leaders use AI to provide unbiased, actionable insights while allowing people to maintain their critical thinking and reasoning abilities. We already have enough influencers; we need to focus on “uninfluencing.”
Q: How do you tailor your advisory approach to help clients not just meet but exceed their technology goals?
A: When we come in as consultants, clients sometimes feel they need to prove they have all the answers. I steer them away from that mindset. Our role is to understand their challenges and bring fresh perspectives and solutions. I implement monthly and quarterly check-ins to ensure we’re solving problems and helping clients think beyond their usual frameworks.
Q: What skills do you think will be most valuable for the technology workforce of the future, and how can professionals prepare now?
A: The ability to think proactively across various topics is critical. We need technologists who ask, “We’ve been doing this for a while, should we try something different?” Technologists should be always innovating and thinking outside the box.
PERSONAL: INTERESTS AND HOBBIES
Q: If you could have dinner with any figure from the world of technology, who would it be and why?
A: I’d love to have dinner with Sundar Pichai to learn more about the intricacies of his rise within Google.
Q: What’s the one gadget or tech you can’t live without?
A: My TV. It helps drown out the noise in my head and keeps me from doom-scrolling or being influenced by algorithms, which is why I don’t have any social media apps on my phone.
Q: Can you share a personal success story or a particularly memorable experience from your career? What made it special for you?
A: A unique aspect of my career is that I haven’t formally interviewed for a job since 2015. Every opportunity since then has come from people I’ve worked with who vouch for my work and integrity. Success isn’t just about the impact you have on an organization but also on the people you work with.
Q: Outside of work, what’s a hobby or activity you’re passionate about? How did you become involved in it and why is it important to you?
A: I spend a lot of time in my desk chair, so working with my hands is important to me. Whether it’s training my dog, doing basic home renovations, or taking classes, I value having practical skills. If AI ever takes over my job, being able to do things with my hands will be invaluable.
Q: Green Leaf is a place where there’s a good balance of serious business and good-natured humor. Can you give a fun example of when you’ve either doled out or been on the receiving end of some of that humor?
A: I enjoy being in the audience for weekly dad jokes.