Right before my senior year at Harvard University, I did McKinsey’s Summer Business Analyst Internship, a 12-week program that brought me to Johannesburg. While I grew up in the United States, my parents are both South African, so I chose the location to learn more about the culture and explore that part of the world. It was World Cup season so that was exciting, too!
I was drawn to the firm because the people I encountered during the recruiting sessions were diverse, approachable, and open, and it felt like the perfect cultural fit. They worked in a variety of roles and levels, from business analysts to engagement managers, and they shared stories of how they were able to have an impact early in their careers, for both clients and on pro bono and passion projects the firm encourages and supports. Lastly, it was clear to me the firm was committed to supporting clients in Africa, and that was a big deal for me.
So, after the internship, I was offered the full-time position as a business analyst. Going into my senior year, I had already accepted the offer to come back to McKinsey. I joined the firm in 2010.
My role at the firm
I’m now a partner, leading our Life Sciences practice for Africa, and I also focus on the global public health space on the continent. I support multi-national companies with a presence in Africa. Additionally, I work with global public health donors and foundations. Many of the topics I work on, especially related to Africa, focus on overcoming barriers which prevent medicine from reaching certain populations and expanding access to medicine across the continent.
We do work on expanding manufacturing capacity and developing public and private partnership models that help make medicine more affordable and available at the healthcare facility level. We are helping clients think through the right access and partnership models to ensure they’re pricing products appropriately, following medical guidelines, and meeting supply chain requirements.
Ultimately, our goal is to help clients get the right medication to the right patients at the right time through the right channel.
Fueling a passion to promote positive social change
As a Black gay man, I am thrilled with the direction the firm is taking to build an even more diverse and inclusive place to work, and I am so proud of the work we’ve done so far.
I lead GLAM, which is our LGBTQI+ network, for the Africa, Middle East, and Eastern Europe offices. We are focused on recruiting LGBTQI+ talent across this region and work to ensure those colleagues have the connectivity and support they need to thrive and advance within the firm. We also partner with non-profits, such as The Other Foundation, which is committed to advancing LGBTQI+ rights in Africa.
I also play an active leadership role in the McKinsey Black Network, and a big chunk of that population is within the Africa office. I help lead the networks efforts across the continent, and we coordinate trainings, programs, and networking opportunities for Black colleagues. We also offer the Black Leadership Academy, which is for Black executives in industry outside of McKinsey, as part of our commitment to encourage and foster more executive-level profiles in the Black community.
What keeps me excited about McKinsey a decade after joining the firm
At McKinsey, I can be a shaper, problem solver, and help support clients tackle the most critical problems our world is facing. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, McKinsey supported many organizations across a variety of areas. During this unprecedented time, I supported senior decision makers across the globe to tackle these challenges and make medicine available to the people in Africa.
I’m not just solving important problems; I’m solving the most important problems, at the most important time. McKinsey enables me to be innovative and help clients address these problems for the country I love and call home.
McKinsey is an open and equal opportunity organization. Regardless of the background you have professionally, academically, or otherwise, we are looking for the best people in their fields. If you are passionate and invested in your work, we welcome profiles of all kinds.
More about me
I have a grey French bulldog, whom I love very much and consider it a privilege to take care of. I also love to play tennis, swim, and run. I volunteer for a youth organization, Youth Alliance for Leadership and Development in Africa, which supports students at the university level to become more job ready and offers mentorship for helping them execute their social or entrepreneurial ventures.