Annual recognition highlights executive leadership across artificial intelligence, enterprise risk, strategic transformation and organizational talent
DALLAS, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Consulting Magazine today announced the recipients of its 2026 Women Leaders in Consulting awards, recognizing corporate advisors, practice leaders and consulting firms demonstrating measurable influence across the global management and technology consulting sector.
Now in its 21st year, the annual program benchmarks executive achievement in a landscape shaped by rapid artificial intelligence adoption, shifting regulatory demands and complex corporate restructuring. Honorees were selected by industry luminaries and members of the magazine’s editorial board based on demonstrated excellence in specific practice domains and sustained client impact.
“The impact of women’s leadership on the consulting profession simply cannot be overstated,” said Michael A. Webb, Director and Editor in Chief of Consulting Magazine. “As our industry evolves, their diverse perspectives and dynamic leadership are no longer just beneficial—they are an absolute imperative for growth. These honorees epitomize the character and strategic vision that make a measurable difference for their clients, while setting new standards of excellence that drive the global consulting profession into the future.”
The 2026 slate reflects both established pillars of advisory practice and fast-growing technical disciplines. Four industry veterans received the Lifetime Achievement Award for career-long contributions to firm capability and governance: Shideh Sedgh Bina of Elixirr, Maryanne Faschan of Deloitte, Stella Mendes of FTI Consulting and Carol Raimo of Protiviti.
Reflecting client priorities in digital transformation and regulatory compliance, the program honored specialized leaders across technology, risk, governance, global practice, talent, diversity, social impact, and thought leadership. The full roster of 2026 individual honorees, organized by category, is as follows.
Cybersecurity & Risk Technology Leader: Karen Cole, Assura, Inc.; Kate Ehrle, Stehrling LLC; Journet Greene, Moore Colson; Emily Mossburg, Deloitte.
Data Ethics & Responsible AI Leader: Ann Beasley, Paul Hastings LLP; Avani Desai, Schellman.
Diversity Champion: Maggie Barlow (Parker), Huron; Alice Lam, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP; Shana Logue, BRG; Debolina Guha Majumdar, Infosys Consulting; Danielle Maldonado, Centric Consulting.
Industry Specialization Leader: Beth Angerman, MetaPhase; Lina Aybinder, Highspring; Joanne Frederick, Government Market Strategies (GMS); Anna Kooi, Wipfli; Danielle Mandryk, RSM; Jenny McLean, Clarkston Consulting; Sara Meaney, Coraggio Group; Beth Montgomery, OutSolve; Anne Pifer, Huron; Sara Powell, FTI Consulting; Daria Radchenko, Kearney; Iffat Tariq, Innovriq, LLC; Shacey Temperly, Attain Partners; Shannon White, Guidehouse.
International Projects/Global Consulting Leader: Lauren Burge, FTI Consulting; Gilda D’Incerti, PQE Group; Dr. Nandini Diwakar, Infosys Consulting; Karen Ko, Protiviti; Kristin Oberdorf, Empactful Advisors; Niki St. Pierre, NSP & Company; Meera Wagman, Secretariat.
Lifetime Achievement: Shideh Sedgh Bina, Elixirr; Maryanne Faschan, Deloitte; Stella Mendes, FTI Consulting; Carol Raimo, Protiviti.
Mentorship Champion: Gentra Cartwright Harang, Infosys Consulting; Mary Manzo, Pathways Consulting Group; Melissa McDevitt, Beghou; Chiaki Nishino, Prophet; Rochelle Rivas, Ember Group Consulting.
Pro Bono & Social Impact Leader: Kerstin Duhme, FTI Consulting; Nataliya Gorbunosova, Kearney.
Strategic Impact Leader: Kathleen Calabro, Andersen Consulting; Anne Choate, ICF; Mela Fezzey, Tru Consulting; Rhiana Gallen, ProcureAbility; Allison Grayson, Resultant; Rajika Gupta, Beghou; Wendy Hoffman, Divurgent; Nina Lapachet, EY-Parthenon; Terri LeFort, Pivot Point Consulting; Jaime Lightfoot, Astound Digital; Amy McJoynt, Centric Consulting; Julia Neubauer, a-connect ag; Bernadette Norrington, Protiviti; Frances Phillips, Kearney; Dhara Satija, Paul Hastings LLP; Jessica Speary, Greencastle Consulting; Eva Tomlinson, FTI Consulting.
Talent & Workforce Transformation Leader: Sara Enriquez Bedon, a-connect ag; Mary Cheddie, TalentoHC; Katie Fitzgerald, West Monroe; Jackie Gaines, Huron; Lauren Montgomery, E Source.
Technology and AI Innovator: Julie Brill, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP; Christina Fenner, Huron; Julia Gielow, Protiviti; Swati Gupta, Meradia; Sophie Ross, FTI Consulting; Elana Schrank, Baringa; Manglika Singh, Infosys Consulting; Ronel Vermeulen, CrossCountry Consulting; Emma Webley, Accenture; Jessica White, Astound Digital; Molly Whyte, Grant Thornton Advisors.
Thought Leadership & Intellectual Capital Leader: Stephanie Corey, UpLevel Ops; Alexia Maas, Maas Leadership; Lana Manganiello, Practice Growth Partner; Rachel Pauletti, Forvis Mazars.
The awards also evaluated firm-level human capital strategies addressing professional retention and mentorship in professional services. In the team and firm categories, Huron was recognized for Recruiting and Retaining Female Talent, while Clarkston Consulting, Huron, Omlie Consulting and Protiviti were cited for institutional excellence in Mentoring and Enrichment Programs.
The honorees will be formally recognized during the annual awards gala on Nov. 19, 2026, at the New York Marriott Marquis Times Square.
The complete roster of 2026 honorees is available on the Consulting Magazine event platform at events.consultingmag.com/women-leaders.
About Consulting Magazine
Consulting Magazine is the leading publication covering the business of management consulting. Published by Arc Network, it produces annual rankings, awards programs and editorial coverage recognizing top firms and professionals in the consulting industry. For more information, visit consultingmag.com.
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