The Consulting Report is pleased to announce the Top 25 Technology Consultants and Leaders of 2024. From technology consulting and digital transformation to telecommunications and AI, these distinguished professionals influence and shape the industries they serve. While they may have different titles and focus areas, many of the consultants and leaders on this year’s list operate on a global scale, working with clients and companies across different continents.
Among this year’s awardees is Pavankumar Gudipati, Business Segment Head of Technology, Software and Services at Tata Consultancy Services. As a 26-year TCS veteran passionate about STEM education, Gudipati leads the company’s initiatives to provide underserved communities and the next generation of talent with foundational computer science skills for 21st-century careers. Also awarded is Amr Amad, Partner at EY and Americas Infrastructure, Cloud & Service Resiliency Practice Leader. Amad drives client teams in integrating technology strategy, focusing on network infrastructure transformation, cloud adoption and IT modernization.
Each year, we receive hundreds of nominations from professionals in the consulting, professional services and tech service industries. We evaluate each candidate based on various factors. The top 25 on this year’s list stood out based on their tenure in the industry, capabilities in technological innovation, professional milestones and demonstrated expertise. Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of the Top 25 Technology Consultants and Leaders of 2024.
1. Michael Heric
Firm: Bain & Company
Title: Partner, Technology & Cloud Services
Michael Heric is a Senior Partner of Bain’s Technology & Cloud Services practice, leading its automation capabilities globally. Bain & Company is a global consultancy with reach across 65 cities in 40 countries. Heric has led engagements across strategy, go-to-market and performance improvement with leading technology providers in IT hardware, software and services.
Heric founded Bain’s automation practice and has expertise across the full range of automation technologies, including scripting, workflow automation, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), low code/no-code development and cognitive/AI-based automation (including generative AI). Additionally, Heric leads Bain’s global Corporate Support solution in its Performance Improvement practice, supporting clients in transforming their back-office support functions to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
Heric holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, achieving high distinction as a Baker Scholar. He graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with a BS in economics and finance and a BA in international relations, both with distinction. Heric has also served as a U.S. Army officer.
2. Ramyani Basu
Firm: Kearney
Title: Senior Partner
Ramyani Basu is a Senior Partner at Kearney and stands as a champion and leader for Digital, Data and Diversity. With more than two decades of experience collaborating with businesses across various industries and regions, her commitment, passion, and conviction drives her efforts. Ramyani uses the unique combination of technology, business acumen, and transformative strategies to deliver significant value for her clients. Recognized for spearheading Digital & Analytics transformations, she is also known for changing the mindset and culture of organizations to unlock and create “true” value from technology-enabled programmes. She is currently leading Data & AI Business for Kearney globally which is targeted to help demystify AI / Gen-AI efforts for clients and enable them to capture true “value” from such efforts.
Ramyani also holds an important role in Kearney's European leadership team as a core member driving growth in the region. Additionally, she chairs the European Inclusion Council, where she is focused on ensuring that DEI efforts are truly delivering real change through more targeted hiring, inclusive leadership, and equitable career progression for women and other underrepresented groups. Lastly, she has been spearheading events like the International Women’s Day Forum at Kearney globally and leads our firm’s relationship with the UN Women UK Organisation.
3. Karim Taga
Firm: Arthur D. Little
Title: Managing Partner
Karim Taga is the Managing Partner of Arthur D. Little and leads the TIME (telecommunications, information technology, media and electronics) practice globally. The company is an international management consultancy firm headquartered in Boston. Taga has worked at ADL in the telecommunication area for over 25 years. He aims to drive corporate structural changes and advises governments and institutions, focusing on challenging the status quo and promoting breakthrough innovation.
Before joining ADL, Taga worked for Ericsson for several years. He also was a research assistant professor at the University of Technology in Vienna. Taga holds an MSc, MBA and a PhD. He attended four different education systems: Tunisia (Lycée El Menzah V), France (Lycée JB Say/ESEM), the USA (UC Berkeley) and Austria (TU Wien).
4. Saurabh Dubey
Firm: Deloitte Consulting
Title: Managing Director
Saurabh is a Managing Director in Deloitte’s Enterprise Performance market offering. He is one of the leaders in Deloitte’s ServiceNow practice and focuses on Consumer industry solutions and offerings. In addition to this, he is also the Americas go-to-market leader for GBS on Now and Global leader for ESG on Now offerings from Deloitte. At only 41 years old, Saurabh has 20 years of experience in the space of technology consulting, and has led multiple global delivery engagements across the advise, implement and operate spaces.
Prior to joining Deloitte in 2022, Saurabh spent his career at KPMG, with his work spanning business and technology strategy and large scale technology transformations. Saurabh is known for his creative mind and thought leadership in applications of emerging technology. He has helped define the market leading perspective in the areas of Asset Management, IT Service Management, Global Business Services, and in Sustainability, Climate and Equity. He has also presented at several conferences, webinars, webcasts, and podcasts on these topics. Saurabh holds an MBA in Strategy and International Business, and an MS in Management Information Systems from University of Pittsburgh.
5. Pavankumar Gudipati
Firm: Tata Consultancy Services
Title: Business Segment Head - Technology, Software & Services
Pavankumar Gudipati is the Business Segment Head of Technology, Software and Services at Tata Consultancy Services. TCS is an IT services, consulting and business solutions organization that partners with large businesses globally. Gudipati has been with TCS for over 26 years. He helps clients achieve their goals through AI-powered digital transformation journeys, leading high-performing teams worldwide.
Before becoming Business Segment Head at TCS, Gudipati held diverse leadership roles across the organization. He collaborated with C-Suite leaders and oversaw key transformation initiatives as a Trusted Growth & Transformation Partner.
A longtime resident of the San Francisco Bay Area and an advocate of STEM education, Gudipati led TCS’ comprehensive efforts across the Bay Area to provide underserved communities and the next generation of talent with the foundational computer science skills for 21st-century careers. Gudipati holds a master’s in Electronics and Communication and has completed the Growth & Transformational leadership program at SDA Bocconi School of Management.
6. Raghavan Sundararajan
Firm: HCLTech
Title: Senior Vice President & Digital Business Leader for Tech and Telecom Business
Raghavan Sundararajan (Raghav), is a Senior Vice President at HCLTech, where he spearheads the Digital and Engineering Business within the Tech and Telecom verticals. With an illustrious career spanning close to two decades, Raghav stands as a vanguard in shaping and advancing the Digital and Engineering practices at HCLTech. His unwavering passion for technological evolution encompasses a keen interest in emerging trends such as Gen AI, where he meticulously navigates the intersection of novel technologies and diverse business models, identifying strategic opportunities within this convergence.
A seasoned global leader, Raghav has orchestrated the success of multifaceted teams across international borders. His exceptional acumen in both business and technical domains, coupled with his innovative leadership, positions him at the forefront of pivotal business engagements. Renowned for his strategic foresight, innovative mindset, and visionary approach, Raghav harnesses his diverse expertise to drive HCLTech's overarching vision and strategy. His primary focus remains empowering clients on their digital transformation journeys, architecting revolutionary operating models grounded in pioneering solutions that deliver compelling value propositions.
Raghav's academic journey commenced with Engineering and MBA degrees in India, augmented by an Executive Master’s in management from the University of Virginia. Further enriching his knowledge base, he completed an Executive Education program at Paul Verge School of Business, UC Irvine, and earned the prestigious Chief Technology Officer (CTO) certification from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, Raghav's esteemed role as an advisory council member of Harvard Business Review underscores his commitment to scholarly pursuits and strategic insights. Beyond his professional endeavors, Raghav demonstrates a profound commitment to philanthropy, particularly in advocating for children's education
7. Sean McDevitt
Firm: Arthur D. Little
Title: Partner
Sean McDevitt is a Partner at global consultancy Arthur D. Little. He leads the company’s TIME practice. His expertise is in the telecommunications industry. He has three decades of international management consulting and operations experience spanning several global markets.
In his role leading ADL’s TIME practice, McDevitt helps telecom operators, suppliers, private equity and infrastructure funds firms make critical business decisions regarding strategic growth initiatives, investment due diligence, market-entry, spectrum auctions and a full range of broadband (cable/MSO/fiber) business services markets.
Before joining ADL, McDevitt was a VP at Cartesian, where he led the North American Strategy and Management Consulting businesses. Previously, he held several executive positions in Europe, serving as Président - Directeur Général of Le Numéro France (118218) and COO of 118118//Media in the UK. He earned his BA in Classics and Business Economics from Brown University and his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
8. Harshul Asnani
Firm: Tech Mahindra
Title: President of Technology and Media Business, Americas
Harshul Asnani is President of the Technology, Media and Entertainment (TME) business and part of the Executive Leadership team at Tech Mahindra. He leads a strategic portfolio of businesses and subsidiaries operating at the leading edge of new-age technologies. Tech Mahindra is part of the Mahindra Group, founded in 1945. The company has over 260,000 employees in over 100 countries. It is known for its leadership in farm equipment, utility vehicles, IT and financial services.
Before Tech Mahindra, Asnani held leadership roles in P&L ownership, strategic partnerships and ecosystem development at tech consulting and product organizations like Wipro, HCL, Patni (now Capgemini) and Compaq (now HP). As a leader with over 25 years of tech sector experience, Asnani is recognized for steering high-performance global teams and scaling businesses from the ground up.
As a long-term San Francisco Bay Area resident, Asnani actively serves on multiple nonprofit boards, including the Bay Area Council, University of Washington Bothell School of Business Advisory Board, HelpAge America Advisory Board and as an Ambassador at the American Cancer Society San Francisco. He is also part of Indiaspora and TiE Silicon Valley Charter Members. He holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration and has been part of the management development program at Harvard Business School.
9. David Frigeri
Firm: Slalom
Title: Managing Director
David Frigeri is Managing Director of AI at Slalom. He leads Slalom's artificial intelligence business and strategy across the East region. He oversees AI go-to-market initiatives, develops high-performing teams and delivers revenue growth by building innovative and industry-specific AI solutions tailored to clients.
Before joining Slalom, Frigeri was responsible for all AI services at ColdLight Solutions. He has been recognized for developing innovative AI solutions for various domains from chronic wound image recognition and patient readmission risk models to predicting media consumption and optimizing mobile commerce conversion.
Frigeri is passionate about giving back to the community and empowering the next generation of AI leaders. He graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges with an undergraduate degree in social science.
10. Wilson Chow
Firm: PwC
Title: Global Technology, Media and Telecommunications Industry Leader, PwC China
Wilson Chow heads PwC’s global Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) industry practice. He is entrusted with leading the development and execution of PwC’s TMT strategy, helping their clients thrive in a world characterized by ever faster and more profound technology disruption. He is also the TMT industry and Artificial Intelligence leader for the firm’s Mainland China and Hong Kong practice. Chow is based in PwC China’s Shenzhen office.
Leading a global community of solvers, spanning over 35,000 TMT practitioners, Chow builds trust and delivers sustained outcomes for their clients. His role also entails leading PwC's Global Priority Client Programme, where he guides and supports their partners to enable TMT clients across the world to reinvent their business models and reimagine the value they create for customers in a tech-powered world.
Chow has worked in the public accounting practice in Mainland China and Hong Kong for over 30 years. He has extensive experience providing assurance and advisory services to companies in the TMT industry, from start-ups to global tech giants, for capital market transactions, assurance engagements, systems and controls advisory and deals.
Chow is a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Accountants, the China Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Additionally, he serves as an adviser to the Internet Advertising Board of Hong Kong. Chow holds an MBA from Warwick Business School in business administration and management.
12. Axel Freyberg
Firm: Kearney
Title: Partner
Axel Freyberg is the global head of Kearney’s Telecom, Media & Technology practice and a member of the firm’s supervisory board. He is an expert in business, innovation and technology strategies, sales and marketing, product development, technology management and transformation. Freyberg has more than 20 years of experience.
Freyberg has advised major mobile telecom, wireline and cable operators across Europe, the Middle East and beyond, as well as broadcast and pay-TV enterprises, consumer electronics and technology suppliers and IT service providers. His projects span growth strategy for end-user device manufacturers, innovation and technology strategies for telecom, cable and media enterprises, B2B transformation programs for telecom and ICT providers and sales transformation for consumer electronics manufacturers.
Freyberg has a degree in information technology with a focus on telecom and database management from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and an MBA in finance from the University of Pittsburgh.
13. Kevin Erdal
Firm: Nordic Consulting Partners
Title: Managing Director & Practice Lead, Digital Health
Kevin Erdal is Managing Director and Global Practice Leader of Nordic's Digital Health business line. He helps clients realize digital transformations across the healthcare industry. He aims to achieve a cohesive care continuum through digital health strategy at clinical, operational and technical levels. His team supports clients' analytical needs, cloud strategies and data governance solutions. Erdal is dedicated to expanding Nordic’s Digital Health business line globally.
Erdal joined Nordic in May of 2019 after nine years at Mayo Clinic. His most recent title was Service Delivery Manager within Mayo Clinic’s unified data platform section. In that role, he managed a team of developers integrating data from multiple EHRs, built the IT function to support data governance and led the build-out of an integrated data environment.
Erdal graduated from Winona State University with a degree in management information systems. He holds certifications across the Epic platform, Cerner Millennium, and Project Management and is a Silver Mayo Quality Fellow.
14. Ben Smith IV
Firm: Kearney
Title: Senior Partner
Ben T. Smith IV is a Board Member, Senior Partner and Global Lead for Kearney's Digital and Analytics practice. Smith is a key adviser to Kearney’s large clients and its board on digital transformations, strategy, acquisitions and investment. As a board member and member of the firm's finance and audit committee, Smith has helped drive change in its capital structure to support Kearney's growth and improvement of financial performance over the past five years. He also supports the development of the firm’s venture capital relationships, where he founded Kearney Venture Capital to drive innovative and impactful acquisitions. Before leading Kearney’s Digital and Analytics practice, Smith ran the high-growth Communications, Media and Technology practice in the Americas.
Smith joined Kearney in 1994, rising to leadership as one of the firm’s youngest partners. He co-founded Kearney’s dot.com investment fund and advised the US government post-9/11. Smith left the firm in 2002 and garnered diverse experience in venture capital, operations and public boards, facilitating $6 billion in capital raises, divestitures and acquisitions. He returned to Kearney in 2016 as a partner.
Smith graduated from Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business with an MBA in strategy and technology. He holds an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Davis.
15. Nikolai Dobberstein
Firm: Kearney
Title: Partner
Nikolai Dobberstein is a Partner of Kearney. He has over 30 years of consulting experience and has been involved in numerous business and digital transformation programs of technology companies and telecom operators in Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East and Africa. Dobberstein was the lead partner for Kearney’s collaboration with the WEF on the Future of Production in ASEAN and a member of the Indian Government’s Innovation Taskforce in 2016-2017.
Before joining Kearney in India in 2011, Dobberstein served as the Exco member for New Businesses at Maxis, Malaysia’s leading telecom operator, where he led data and digital businesses. Before Maxis, he was a partner at McKinsey & Company. Dobberstein also held directorship at Scicom (MSC) Bhd, Malaysia’s top BPO provider, and was an Exco member of the Global Wireless Broadband Alliance.
Dobberstein came to Malaysia in late 1996 to participate in establishing the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC). He has spent the last 30 years working in Asia, based in Malaysia and India. Dobberstein is German and has a PhD in Technology & Innovation Management from the University of Kiel, Germany.
16. Daniel Denboer
Firm: Alvarez & Marsal
Title: Managing Director, Co Leader STS Practice
Daniel DenBoer serves as the Managing Director of Alvarez & Marsal’s Software, Technology & Business Services (STS) practice. DenBoer has more than 25+ years of consulting experience and has significant experience leading M&A transactions for private equity and corporate clients. Denboer has extensive expertise in investment due diligence and M&A across both buy- and sell-side transactions.
Prior to joining A&M, DenBoer was a Managing Director for 8 years at KPMG Strategy. In this role, DenBoer was the national Private Equity leader for Advisory and a senior leader in the Technology, Media and Telecom practice. Prior to KPMG, was a Director at AlixPartners focused on global performance improvement and operational restructuring projects. DenBoer earned an MBA from the University Of Wisconsin-Madison with a focus on Supply Chain management and a Bachelors of Science in Accounting and Management Information Systems from Indiana University.
17. Scott Jones
Firm: Alvarez & Marsal
Title: Managing Director & STS Practice Lead
Scott Jones is a Managing Director with Alvarez & Marsal Private Equity Performance Improvement in San Francisco. Jones co-leads the Software, Technology & Services practice.
He has over 20 years of consulting and industry experience and has executed transformations across public companies and private equity portfolio companies. He has led due diligence for over 100 technology sector transactions.
Jones has implemented carve-outs from Fortune 50 technology and industrial companies on the buy-side for private equity buyers. He successfully executed the take-private of public companies in the software and services sector, supporting due diligence and value creation for activist investors and private equity funds. Jones has also led transformations at enterprise software, semiconductor and hardware companies.
Before joining A&M, Jones was the TMT Strategy Practice Lead at KPMG. He also served as a Director at AlixPartners. Jones holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Centenary College, an MBA from the Walton School of Business at the University of Arkansas and a JD from the Santa Clara University School of Law. He is a member of the California Bar Association and has published research and given keynote speeches on various technology sectors.
18. Munish Gupta
Firm: Inspira Enterprise
Title: President & Global Cyber Advisory Head
Munish Gupta has been a leader in the cybersecurity advisory space for 20 years, delivering and managing large enterprise cyber programs. Currently, he is President & Head of Cybersecurity advisory at Inspira Enterprise. Before joining Inspira, he was associated with Wipro, Infosys and HCL. His leadership at Wipro and Infosys was integral to cyber consulting and advisory at both companies. Gupta has diverse experience in cyber risk management, security architecture, cyber resilience and compliance.
Gupta is also a founding member of Purplebook Cyber Security Community - North America. He represented India in various international cyber delegations and presented his insights at prestigious venues like NASDAQ Times Square, New York and the British Parliament. Gupta is a sought-after speaker on cybersecurity, contributing to conferences and discussions globally. He graduated from Punjab Technical University with an undergraduate degree in mechanical.
19. Soumendra Mohanty
Firm: Tredence
Title: Chief Strategy Officer
Soumendra Mohanty is the Chief Strategy Officer at Tredence. He has led key growth portfolios, including IIOT, data, analytics, AI, intelligent RPA, digital integration, digital experience and platforms. Under his leadership, Tredence has established various digital and data analytics capabilities.
With a career spanning over 25 years, Mohanty has held various leadership roles at Accenture, Mindtree and L&T Infotech. In these roles, he led P&L functions, including M&A advisory for technology growth strategies and startup ecosystems.
As an accomplished thought leader, Mohanty has published several books and speaks at global forums, CDAO advisory gatherings and educational institutions. He advises the Harvard Business Review (Analytics Stream) and holds a master’s degree in computer applications from the College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar, India.
20. Subhash Kari
Firm: Infocepts
Title: Chief Innovation Officer, EVP, Global Practices & Delivery
Subhash Kari is Executive Vice President & Chief Innovation Officer at Infocepts, leading its Global Practices & Delivery organization. Infocepts is a data solutions firm that aims to improve business results through more effective use of data, AI and user-friendly analytics. Kari brings together experts from business, technology and management to provide thought leadership, create offerings, enable marketing and sales, develop and retain talent and enable strategic differentiation.
Kari publishes thought leadership articles to inspire innovation in data and analytics, focusing on top initiatives for business growth. Using a solution-as-a-service approach, he develops productized solutions to improve decision-making, AI adoption, employee data platforms and managed services.
Kari has 20 years of experience in mission-enabling applications, data and analytics solutions, technology consulting and large-scale managed services. He's generated over $375 million in revenues across various sectors and platforms. Previously, he held multiple positions at REI Systems, including Chief Technology Officer, contributing significantly to the company's growth. Kari has expertise in Open Source, Microsoft, AWS, Azure, Tableau, MicroStrategy, Appian and Salesforce platforms. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from Michigan State University.
21. Gustavo Alba
Firm: Heidrick & Struggles
Title: Global Managing Partner, Technology & Services Practice
Gustavo Alba is a partner in Heidrick & Struggles’ Miami office and the global managing partner of the Technology & Services Practice. His experience includes placing CEOs, COOs, managing partners and other executive leaders across management consulting, professional services and technology organizations. Additionally, Alba has led chief strategy and transformation searches for clients across industries.
Heidrick & Struggles’ Global Technology & Services Practice works with software, professional and technology services, digital infrastructure, telecommunications and hardware organizations on talent needs. Before Heidrick & Struggles, Alba was a managing partner of another executive search firm in New York, where he helped CEOs and other executives across professional services organizations.
Previously, Alba was the head of global recruiting at Booz & Company. He was responsible for external hiring and executive talent integration. Before that, Alba founded the International Recruiting Group. He graduated from Florida International University with an undergraduate degree in marketing.
22. Thomas McDermott
Firm: CohnReznick
Title: Principal
Tom McDermott, CRISC, CISA, CGEIT, is a Principal in CohnReznick’s Cybersecurity, Technology Risk and Privacy Practice with 20 years of risk management experience helping organizations identify, evaluate, and manage risks while preserving and enhancing enterprise value. His practice provides specialized risk and advisory services, including assessments, governance, compliance, risk identification and transformation. McDermott works closely senior management, boards, and stakeholders, leading global teams fostering positive outcomes for public and private clients, including various Fortune 500, emerging growth companies (EGC), Not-for-profit organizations, and start-up organizations across industries.
McDermott is passionate about his areas of expertise. He has delivered presentations at international, national, and regional events on cybersecurity strategy and trends, emerging technology risks, vulnerability management, internal audit methodology, and business continuity planning. He is presently a Director on the Board of the NY Metropolitan Chapter of ISACA, and a recent recipient of the NJ ISACA President’s Award for contributions to the chapter and the profession.
24. Amro Amad
Firm: EY
Title: Partner
Amro Amad is a Partner at EY and an Americas Infrastructure, Cloud & Service Resiliency Practice Leader. Amad collaborates with his EY client account teams to integrate technology strategy and architecture into EY's end-to-end solutions.
25. Hari Shetty
Firm: Wipro
Title: Sector Head and SVP, Technology Platforms, Products & Gaming
Hari Shetty is a Sector Head and SVP of Technology Platforms and Products & Gaming at Wipro. He is responsible for client relations, strategy, execution and managing the P&L for the sector. Before this role, Shetty was the head of digital for consumer business at Wipro, where he was responsible for digital transformation. He has also held leadership roles in multiple consumer industries, such as retail and distribution.
