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Recognizing Excellence: The 2026 Women Leaders in Consulting Awards

On September 16, 2026, Consulting Magazine proudly announced the distinguished recipients of its 2026 Women Leaders in Consulting awards. This annual event, now in its 21st year, shines a spotlight on remarkable female executives who are making significant contributions within the global management and technology consulting sectors.

Honoring Influential Women

The Women Leaders in Consulting awards serve as a benchmark for recognizing the outstanding achievements of corporate advisors, practice leaders, and consulting firms that are reshaping the industry landscape. In 2026, the awards emphasize the critical roles women play in navigating challenges such as the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, evolving regulatory requirements, and complex corporate transformations.

Michael A. Webb, Director and Editor in Chief of Consulting Magazine, remarked on the profound impact of women's leadership, stating, "The impact of women's leadership on the consulting profession simply cannot be overstated. As our industry evolves, their diverse perspectives and dynamic leadership are no longer just beneficial—they are an absolute imperative for growth." This sentiment echoes throughout the consulting landscape, where the honorees are recognized not only for their individual accomplishments but also for their significant influence on their clients' success and on the industry as a whole.

Award Categories and Honorees

The 2026 awards featured a range of categories reflecting both traditional advisory roles and emerging technical fields. Four highly respected industry veterans, including Shideh Sedgh Bina of Elixirr, Maryanne Faschan of Deloitte, Stella Mendes of FTI Consulting, and Carol Raimo of Protiviti, received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their extensive contributions to the consulting domain.

Highlighting the varied specializations in the industry, the awards also celebrated leaders across several critical areas:

• - Cybersecurity & Risk Technology Leaders included names like Karen Cole of Assura and Emily Mossburg of Deloitte.
• - Diversity Champions such as Maggie Barlow from Huron and Debolina Guha Majumdar of Infosys Consulting showcased efforts toward fostering inclusion.
• - International Projects/Global Consulting Leaders: In this category, Lauren Burge of FTI Consulting and Gilda D'Incerti from PQE Group were recognized for their achievements in global projects.
• - Technology and AI Innovators were recognized as well with leaders like Julie Brill of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, demonstrating innovation and thought leadership in technology adoption.

Among other categories, talent development was highlighted, with firms being acknowledged for their commitment to recruiting and retaining female talent.

Recognizing Firms for Excellence

Notably, in addition to individual achievements, Consulting Magazine also evaluated firms based on their human capital strategies focusing on mentorship and retention efforts. Huron was acknowledged for its exceptional practices in recruiting female talent, while several firms including Clarkston Consulting and Protiviti were celebrated for their mentoring and enrichment programs.

The award ceremony is set to take place on November 19, 2026, at the prestigious New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square, where all honorees will be recognized for their exceptional contributions to the consulting field.

Conclusion

As industries continue to evolve and face new challenges, the importance of diverse leadership becomes ever more apparent. The Women Leaders in Consulting awards not only celebrate the achievements of these outstanding women but also set a precedent for the future of consulting. For a complete list of the 2026 honorees and further details about the awards, the community is encouraged to visit the Consulting Magazine event platform at events.consultingmag.com/women-leaders.