Carolyn is the founder and global co-leader of McKinsey & Company’s CEO Practice, where she partners with CEOs, founders, boards, and senior executives to help them maximize their effectiveness and lead their organizations through critical moments, including hypergrowth, transformation, crises, and mergers. Drawing on her extensive research and experience, Carolyn works with leaders across all stages of the CEO journey to drive large-scale organizational change, set bold strategies, and shape company culture to align leadership teams, manage external stakeholders, and optimize executive time and operating models. She helps CEOs develop the mindsets and frameworks needed to succeed in their role, ensuring they deliver lasting impact and sustainable growth.
A recognized thought leader, Carolyn is the co-author of CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest (a New York Times bestseller) and A CEO for All Seasons: Mastering the Cycles of Leadership. She publishes the monthly Strategic CEO newsletter and has contributed over 30 articles to Harvard Business Review, The Conference Board, and McKinsey Quarterly. Carolyn is also a member of the McKinsey Global Institute Council, which advises on MGI’s research on global economic, business, and technology trends.
With over 25 years of experience advising clients across industries, including financial services, technology, and consumer sectors, Carolyn is also a sought-after keynote speaker and panelist at global conferences. She holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and Economics and lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two children.
