Why did you select The Parthenon Group?

After completing my undergraduate education, I knew that I wanted to work in a challenging, intellectually stimulating environment that would provide me with a diverse set of learning opportunities. Parthenon was exactly that place. It’s wide-ranging and interesting client base would allow me to gain exposure to several industries and further explore my budding interests in consumer products and retail.

I was also very attracted to the firm’s entrepreneurial culture. As a small, but nimble firm, Parthenon allows Associates to take on leadership roles very early in their careers, either by leading analytical work streams on case teams or by heading up internal initiatives, such as undergraduate recruiting or pro bono casework. What I found very appealing at Parthenon is that they are committed to developing young leaders, regardless of their tenure, and encouraging them to make substantial, positive contributions to clients and the firm.

Finally, what mostly drew me to Parthenon was the quality of its people and its unparalleled culture. Never have I come across such a dynamic and hardworking group of individuals who are actively invested in Associates’ personal and professional development.

What types of clients/industries have you worked on at The Parthenon Group?

Parthenon’s staffing structure is based on a two-case model, which has exposed me to an incredibly diverse set of clients spanning several industries. A large portion of my time has been dedicated to private equity clients, whose cases are both shorter and more intense in nature than most corporate strategy cases. I’ve truly enjoyed my private equity work, as it’s taught me how to quickly become an expert in a field while producing meaningful, effective results under time pressure. I’ve also worked on growth strategy, external market analysis, and business performance measurement for several corporate clients, ranging from a producer of luxury hair care products to a large education software company. Each of my cases has taught me something new and provided me hands-on experience in helping to solve our client’s most pressing strategic issues.

What internal initiatives have you participated in at The Parthenon Group?

One aspect of Parthenon that I find very fulfilling is the chance to become involved in internal initiatives. In the past year, I’ve served as head of our office’s Charitable Contributions Committee. This role has allowed me to maintain close relationships with local non-profit organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, coordinate weekly tutoring sessions between members of Parthenon at an after-school neighborhood center, and organize fun charity events for our firm. For example, in the past year, several of our office members have participated in 5K and 10K runs benefitting local charities. Additionally, I recently spearheaded an initiative to bring INSPIRE, a non-profit consulting organization led completely by pre-MBA consultants, to our San Francisco office so we can conduct our pro bono efforts in a more formalized manner. These opportunities have proven extremely rewarding. I got the chance to become involved in the philanthropic initiatives of the firm, and in the process, I was able to help make a positive impact on the greater San Francisco community.

What was your favorite case?

My favorite case, which happens to be my most challenging one as well, involved working with the Business Information department of a large, national restaurant chain. My team and I were given the task of prioritizing and analyzing key metrics for measuring the business performance of several functional departments. We worked collaboratively with executives and analysts from this client to determine the most important metrics and develop a dashboard structure for ongoing, consistent reporting. My work spanned all activities of the case, from participating in management interviews to conducting detailed analysis of company data, to building and framing drafts for a dashboard tool. What was especially challenging about this case was that I was given a significant amount of responsibility from day one, which ultimately proved to be a tremendous professional development opportunity for me. Not only was I able to take on substantial portions of work on my own, but I also worked very closely with our main client contact through numerous face-to-face interactions. This case provided me significant opportunities to hone my analytical and client interaction skills, and the overall experience has absolutely been a highlight of my Associate career at Parthenon to date.

How does The Parthenon Group fit into your life outside of work?

The San Francisco office is an especially close-knit community. Several of us often spend time together outside of the office, which demonstrates how Parthenon’s culture truly extends beyond the formal workplace. We are an especially active office and we tend to share the same hobbies outside of work. For example, an unofficial road-biking crew recently sprung up in the office, and several members of our office get together for quick rides on early weekday mornings or longer 50-mile treks on weekends. Recently, over one weekend, we participated in the annual “Waves to Wine” charity event benefitting multiple sclerosis research and biked over 150 miles together as part of an official Parthenon team. A few of us are also training together for a triathlon in a few months. Outside of sports, we go to the movies, concerts, and try out new restaurants. Parthenon’s culture has allowed me to foster real relationships with my co-workers, such that I consider several of them my close friends, as well as life-long mentors.

Do you have any interests or hobbies outside of work?

Though the lion’s share of my time is spent at Parthenon, I do find some time on the weekends or late evenings to pursue my personal interests. In particular, I enjoy playing piano and composing music. Over the past few years I’ve composed and created three music albums that I sell through my own non-profit foundation and donate the proceeds to various charitable organizations back in my home state of North Dakota. It excites me to be able to share my music and help others in the process, and I look forward to being able to continue this creative endeavor over the next several years. When I’m not working or composing, I enjoy recreational running. I’ve run a couple of marathons and am planning to complete my third one in the next few months.

What do you like about your home office's location?

San Francisco is an amazing city—not only does it offer a multitude of cultural activities, great restaurants, and distinct neighborhoods with their own local flavor, but it’s also incredibly diverse and welcoming. What I love most about San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area, however, is the plethora of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Most weekends out of the year you can take a quick jog in Golden Gate Park, bike across the Golden Gate Bridge to the nearby towns of Sausalito and Tiburon, take a sailing trip out on the bay, hike up Mount Tamalpais, or in the winter, go skiing at Tahoe which is just a few hours away. There is literally an endless amount of activities I am able to pursue in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. It’s both a beautiful and exciting area of the country and a great place to live as a young professional.

What is your favorite quality about The Parthenon Group?

My favorite quality about Parthenon is that it’s a people-centered firm. In my time here I’ve found that the firm’s leadership truly cares about your personal well-being and professional growth. From the informal coffee breaks I have with my Principal mentors to the late night hours working with a Partner to get ready for an early morning presentation, Parthenon provides a supportive environment where others help you and want you to succeed. Even beyond the guidance and mentorship I’ve received, in the simplest terms, Parthenon is fun. One of my fondest memories was gathering at our annual company meeting in Vermont where we held a celebrity costume event followed by entertaining skits prepared by each individual office. The sense of camaraderie, loyalty, and enthusiasm for what we do at Parthenon is felt by members of the firm at all levels. I genuinely feel like a part of a community that works extremely hard together but also makes time for fun. Parthenon has been a wonderful place for me to begin my career after coming out of undergrad, and I can’t imagine having started anywhere else.