Strive Consulting wouldn’t be the company it is today without the inspiring group of employees who make up our workforce. We pride ourselves on hiring individuals who bring a diverse group of skills and backgrounds to the table, which set our organization up for success.

Throughout our ‘My Strive Story’ Interview platform, we sit down with members from our different teams within the organization to find out where they came from, why they chose Strive, and what makes their experience here special.

Andy Bagley

Managing Director, Talent & Recruitment

Chicago, IL

Tell us about yourself.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been most inspired by the commitment that comes from being part of a great team. I think this is because surrounding myself by people who set a high bar, and then expect the same from me, has always pushed me to achieve more than I believed possible. At first this was not intentional, as I just happened to hit the lottery with great parents who had high expectations and a twin sister who excelled from birth. As I grew older, this became very intentional and was applied to my friend groups, athletic and academic pursuits, and ultimately choosing to go to DePauw University for college.

What attracted you to Strive?

When I joined 14.5 years ago, the opportunity to be part of a pure start-up company was very exciting. I had historically worked for smaller, private companies, and was looking for a place where I could rapidly grow professionally and have that growth reflected in an impact to the company brand. What made Strive the company for me, though, was the immediate respect and trust I had with the founders and current employees. It was clear this was a team that would support and challenge me to grow both professionally and personally.

What keeps you at Strive?

With all the evolution that has happened, Strive remains the same in all ways that matter most to me. I am continually challenged to grow, and my ability to impact what we are building has only increased. I still work with many of the leaders and colleagues who have shaped who I am today, and we are consistently adding people who set newly inspirational standards. Most importantly, I have a work family here that equally supports and celebrates my personal evolution. From getting married, to adopting our first dog, buying our first home, and then having and raising our twin daughters – Strive and its people have always been there.

What makes Strive stand above the rest?

Strive is unique in the fact that it is now a $200 million global consulting firm that still provides the entrepreneurial opportunity to create a brand. We have remained a merit-based organization where employees can dictate the pace at which they gain additional opportunity and responsibility, and have not sacrificed our commitment to employee experience and culture as we have grown.

What are you looking forward to in the future?

As we continue to grow, and further expand nationally and globally, I most look forward to learning from the diverse group of new people that will join Strive.

Interested in joining Strive?

Here at Strive Consulting, we foster an active, innovative culture, providing the coaching, mentoring, and support our employees need to work at the top of their game and succeed personally and professionally. Check out our Careers page for open roles and opportunities within Strive. We’re hiring!

Strive Consulting wouldn’t be the company it is today without the inspiring group of employees who make up our workforce. We pride ourselves on hiring individuals who bring a diverse group of skills and backgrounds to the table, which set our organization up for success.

Throughout our ‘My Strive Story’ Interview platform, we sit down with members from our different teams within the organization to find out where they came from, why they chose Strive, and what makes their experience here special.

Jennifer Aiken

Director, Strategic Accounts

Dallas, TX

Tell us about yourself.

I’m a Texan that has had many amazing experiences in my “short” life. 

I can’t get enough of experiencing different cultures and seeing the world. I have traveled to 5 of the 7 continents and plan to make it to six (Australia), but may leave out Antarctica (burrr). During these travels, I’ve climbed two mountains, eaten great food and food that made me sick, plus walked many, many miles to see amazing historical sites. However, the crown jewel in my life is my family.  It all began at the University of Alabama (Roll Tide) a few decades ago and now my husband Tom and I have a wonderful daughter that keeps us busy outside of the office.

Professionally, I have worked in a variety of industries and roles and am loving my current role at Strive Consulting where I am the Director of Strategic Accounts based in our Dallas office for over 6 years. 

What attracted you to Strive?

I was working at Strive’s first client located in Texas over 12 years ago. Strive came in and provided great resources, partnership, and solutions to our challenges. When the opportunity was presented to join Strive, it was a no brainer. I was attracted by what I had already experienced on the client side, good leadership and work ethic, plus Strive also provided opportunity for growth personally and professionally.

What keeps you at Strive?

Strive has had tremendous growth, but maintains a personality of being hardworking and flexible in how we accomplish our work with our clients. Strive also encourages fun whenever possible!

Strive is a company where I know I can make an impact. It is a place where ideas are heard and expanded on whether it is for business, our culture, or reaching out to the community. 

What makes Strive stand above the rest?

Strive’s agility and our people are what makes us stand above the rest of the competition. We have flexibility in how we support clients, we make adjustments to our business model to address changes in the marketplace, and we listen to our clients to make sure they feel heard and understood.

What are you looking forward to in the future?

I look forward to watching my daughter chase her dreams. Right now, it’s to be a college gymnast at a D1 university. I also look forward to partaking in Strive’s national growth as we expand out markets and services – we are well on our way!

Interested in joining Strive?

Here at Strive Consulting, we foster an active, innovative culture, providing the coaching, mentoring, and support our employees need to work at the top of their game and succeed personally and professionally. Check out our Careers page for open roles and opportunities within Strive. We’re hiring!

Strive Consulting wouldn’t be the company it is today without the inspiring group of employees who make up our workforce. We pride ourselves on hiring individuals who bring a diverse group of skills and backgrounds to the table, which set our organization up for success.

Throughout our ‘My Strive Story’ Interview platform, we sit down with members from our different teams within the organization to find out where they came from, why they chose Strive, and what makes their experience here special.

Kathy Loveless

Manager, Management Consulting

Dallas, TX

Tell us about yourself.

I have been on a journey with IT for over 20 years, beginning as a desktop SME, all the way to program managing the implementation of a global contact center in the cloud. My love of learning and my training as a journalist has kept me asking questions and expanding my knowledge. I have worked in many industries, but the travel industry, where I’ve worked for almost 10 years, has always held a special place in my heart. Along the way, I have also become an Agile convert and believer, truly seeing the benefit and help it brings to so many companies and it excites me to help others implement and make the shift to an Agile way of working.

Outside of work, I spend quite a bit of time with my family. I’m the mother of an eighteen-year-old and work with my brothers to help my widowed Mom out with all kinds of things. In my spare time, I like to work on home improvement. Whether it’s re-doing a piece of furniture or fixing something around the house – plumbing, electrical or carpentry, I’ll try it all. I also enjoying reading and binging on YouTube learning about tons of different subjects.

What attracted you to Strive?

I was recruited by Strive’s Principal of National Recruiting, Jose Lomas, or as we refer to him in Dallas “Master Recruiter”. He kept checking-in with me and eventually came with an opportunity to work with a travel industry client. After a whirlwind interview schedule, I was hired within 4 days of first meeting Jose. After my time at this company came to a close, I knew Joses was the person I wanted to work with during my job hunt, and Ii’m so glad I did. He led me to Strive!

My decision was pretty easy. I wanted to get back into consulting because it fit my need for change. Strive was appealing because at the time, it was a local model and as a single mother, that was a necessity. I also appreciated the fact that it was a national company with markets throughout the U.S., but with an opportunity for growth. I liked everyone I met and they genuinely seemed excited for me to join the team.

What keeps you at Strive?

In one word: people. I love the people at Strive. I’ve been at Strive for many years now and we tend to attract people who are excited to learn from each other and grow themselves both professionally and personally. This creates an energy that is wonderful to be around. Another part I love about Strive is that I can contact anyone at the company and they are happy and eager to help. You can’t find that everywhere.

What makes Strive stand above the rest?

Just like it’s the people that keep me here, I think it’s the people that make Strive successful. Our relationship with our clients is all important. We want to know them and their challenges before determining what will work best for them. We don’t come in with cookie-cutter fits because we realize there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. We want to provide the best solution for our clients, so they will want to use Strive for their next challenge.

What are you looking forward to in the future?

I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next. My daughter is now 18 and things are changing, providing me time to try new interests. Additionally, Strive is going through exciting internal changes with our purchase by The Planet Group and the acquisitions of our sister consulting companies, Launch Consulting Group and Future State Consulting. These additions will provide new opportunities and new people for me to get to know!

Interested in joining Strive?

Here at Strive Consulting, we foster an active, innovative culture, providing the coaching, mentoring, and support our employees need to work at the top of their game and succeed personally and professionally. Check out our Careers page for open roles and opportunities within Strive. We’re hiring!

Strive Consulting wouldn’t be the company it is today without the inspiring group of employees who make up our workforce. We pride ourselves on hiring individuals who bring a diverse group of skills and backgrounds to the table, which set our organization up for success.

Throughout our ‘My Strive Story’ Interview platform, we sit down with members from our different teams within the organization to find out where they came from, why they chose Strive, and what makes their experience here special.

Margaret Rendleman

Corporate Recruiter

Chicago, IL

Tell us about yourself.

Hello! My name is Margaret Rendleman, a Corporate Recruiter on the Corporate Recruiting Team here at Strive. I’m originally from Carbondale, Illinois and went to school in Colorado at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. After school, I bopped around a bit; lived in DC for a few years, did an 8-month “around-the-world” trip, went back to Colorado and skied for a year, and finally moved back to the Midwest to live in Chicago and am absolutely loving it here!   

What attracted you to Strive?

What attracted me to Strive are similar to the reasons everyone else is here; reasonable work/life balance, super fun and supportive culture, ever-evolving opportunities, and a ‘people-first’ mentality. If the pandemic has shown us anything, it’s that people want and expect more from their companies when it comes to their livelihood and I was no exception! I was impressed by Strive’s online presence and culture ratings, but what ultimately sold me was the personable conversations I had with the awesome people I interviewed with.

What keeps you at Strive?

I’m still fairly junior in my career, so having positive and encouraging leadership to help guide me has been nothing short of incredible. Strive as a company, wants each of us to develop in the way we want to develop. I’ve personally been able to evolve within my own role at the rate that I have because I feel safe and supported by my team and management.  

I’ve seen so many amazing people get promoted and move up within the short period of time I’ve been here, and it’s super encouraging to see the opportunity for personal growth and achievement. Strive is growing in an organic way and it feels great to be a part of it! 

What makes Strive stand above the rest?

Something I’ve noticed in my tenure at Strive that differentiates us from other companies are the close-knit, familiar relationships we’re able to build, not only with each other but also our clients. You’re not a cog in the machine, people know and remember you. Something I looked for while interviewing was how long current employees had been here, and with some Strivers ranging as much as a decade or longer, I felt that was a sign of a company with happy people in it. A sense of community with people who like it here brings people together in a favorable way, making Strive a place that people call home for many years. 

What are you looking forward to in the future?

The fabulous development we are having company-wide allows for a lot of opportunity to open up and look forward to. Most of us like having a sense of direction and a path to follow, especially if you’re more junior like myself, and Strive continues to create chances and open doors for those looking to expand their skills and move up. Years from now I hope to be in a leadership role and strongly feel that at Strive, that goal can be achieved! 

Interested in joining Strive?

Here at Strive Consulting, we foster an active, innovative culture, providing the coaching, mentoring, and support our employees need to work at the top of their game and succeed personally and professionally. Check out our Careers page for open roles and opportunities within Strive. We’re hiring!

Strive Consulting wouldn’t be the company it is today without the inspiring group of employees who make up our workforce. We pride ourselves on hiring individuals who bring a diverse group of skills and backgrounds to the table, which set our organization up for success.

Throughout our ‘My Strive Story’ Interview platform, we sit down with members from our different teams within the organization to find out where they came from, why they chose Strive, and what makes their experience here special.

Amanda Jeffers

Senior Program Coordinator

Fairfax, VA

Tell us about yourself.

I’m Amanda, I have been with Strive for almost 5 years now. I started my career in HR and am currently a Senior Program Coordinator for one of Strive’s largest clients. I was born and raised in New York, which I fully blame for my straightforwardness and inability to walk any slower than a jog. I went to a tiny liberal arts college in Pennsylvania, called Lafayette College, where I majored in Geology. Don’t ask me why. I moved to Dallas after college to live with my now husband, Phil. It was a lovely change to be surrounded by slower paced, friendly people. We are now living in Fairfax, VA and spend most of our weekends hiking with our 3-year-old rescue dog, Zoe, who looks a little too similar to a wolf. 

What attracted you to Strive?

When I first moved to Dallas, I worked for a company that forced you to memorize their Core Values and employees would be randomly asked by superiors to recite them at any time, in front of the entire company. Needless to say, this company did not oblige to these values. After interviewing with Strive, I immediately knew they were different. No one needed to memorize the Core Values because every employee lived by them, naturally, every day. It was so new to me to see an office filled with so many talented and competitive people who still celebrate every small win and constantly support each other’s successes. It’s a true family culture and it’s magnetic. Not to mention, I happened to start right before the annual Holiday Party and let me tell you, this exceeded every expectation I’ve ever had for an office party. After attending that, I knew I had found my place.  

What keeps you at Strive?

Working at Strive in both the pre-Pandemic and post-Pandemic world has furthered my gratitude for this company. It’s been admirable to watch a company stay so open and flexible to whatever changes came about while ensuring that the safety and wellbeing of the employees and clients always came first. This went above and beyond for me personally. Early in the pandemic my husband was furloughed and was out of work for a few months. After a lot of stress and hard work he able to land an incredible opportunity, but in Fairfax, Virginia. I was not ready to give up my career with Strive but also knew Phil needed to work, and that this was a life changing opportunity for him. My boss, Jennifer Aiken, and the leaders at Strive were SO accommodating during this transition and allowed me to work remotely while we waited to see how the Pandemic was going to unfold. 2 years later, I am still working from Virginia and flying back to Dallas as often as I can (mostly to spend time with all the people I have come to call my second family over the last few years). I am so appreciative that Strive has allowed me to work remotely, and it encourages me to continually work hard and make an impact, even in a different state. 

What makes Strive stand above the rest?

At Strive, it doesn’t matter what department you work in, what office you work from, or how many years you’ve been there, every employee has the opportunity to have an impact on the company. Throughout the year, there are a number of ways that an employee can express their opinions and discuss what is going well, and what we need to improve on. The best part is, this goes directly to leadership, and I know it is heard. Even during the lockdown, our President, Brian Ganser, and the leadership team made themselves accessible by having video calls with every employee to check in. They do this because they care about their employees and want everyone to have the ability to play a part in making Strive as successful as it can be.  

What are you looking forward to in the future?

In the past few years, we have had a lot of incredible growth and I cannot wait to watch our company have success as we expand into new markets. Our adaptability and determination have kept us moving consistently forward and upward. The Planet Group acquisition has been such an exciting step for our future, and I can’t wait to see how much more impact we can have! 

Interested in joining Strive?

Here at Strive Consulting, we foster an active, innovative culture, providing the coaching, mentoring, and support our employees need to work at the top of their game and succeed personally and professionally. Check out our Careers page for open roles and opportunities within Strive. We’re hiring!

 1,335 total views

Strive Consulting wouldn’t be the company it is today without the inspiring group of employees who make up our workforce. We pride ourselves on hiring individuals who bring a diverse group of skills and backgrounds to the table, which set our organization up for success.

Throughout our ‘My Strive Story’ Interview platform, we sit down with members from our different teams within the organization to find out where they came from, why they chose Strive, and what makes their experience here special.

Faye Thompson

Senior Management Consultant

Columbus, OH

Tell us about yourself.

I have worked in IT delivery for over 20 years as a consultant coach, product owner and scrum master. With a focus on an Agile mindset and continuous improvement, I have spent time in the financial services, healthcare, advertising, marketing, automotive, aviation and retail industries. I am passionate about using innovative solutions to drive business value, and enjoy training, mentoring and coaching workgroups as they transform themselves into highly engaged and energized teams. 

When I am not at work, I serve on the board of directors for the Central Ohio Agile Association and as President of the Women in STEMM Alumni Society of The Ohio State University. I also just completed my 25th year volunteering as an emergency medical responder and public affairs coordinator for the American Red Cross.  In my free time beyond that, I am an avid hockey fan, cheering on the Columbus Blue Jackets. I also really like nerding out on my hobbies, including cooking, gardening and wine. 

What attracted you to Strive?

From my initial conversation with a recruiter here at Strive, it seemed as though something different – something special – was happening here. People are at the forefront of everything Strive does, and that was really important to me. As I moved through the interview and hiring process, I only saw more and more examples of this. In fact, that whole experience was so positive, even if it hadn’t been the right fit or the right time, I still would have walked away with a positive impression of Strive. 

What keeps you at Strive?

I love that we place such a strong focus on our Core Values, and that they drive everything we do. We always seek to do the right thing for our clients, our communities, our Affiliates and our employees.   

 Also, we keep hiring more and more super cool people, and I want to hang out with them on a daily basis, which is really special. 

What makes Strive stand above the rest?

We don’t pitch one-size-fits-all solutions. We get to know our clients’ specific goals, environments and people first, and then tailor our recommendations to meet their unique needs. This is unusual in the consulting world, and it’s fantastic! We are building something really cool here. 

What are you looking forward to in the future?

After travel has been on the back-burner for the last couple of years, I’m looking forward to getting back out there and seeing the world. I love meeting new people and experiencing new cultures. My near-term goals are to finish visiting all 50 states (I’ve been to 48/50), all 7 continents (4/7), and all 63 US national parks (17/63). 

Interested in joining Strive?

Here at Strive Consulting, we foster an active, innovative culture, providing the coaching, mentoring, and support our employees need to work at the top of their game and succeed personally and professionally. Check out our Careers page for open roles and opportunities within Strive. We’re hiring!

 1,337 total views

Strive Consulting wouldn’t be the company it is today without the inspiring group of employees who make up our workforce. We pride ourselves on hiring individuals who bring a diverse group of skills and backgrounds to the table, which set our organization up for success.

Throughout our ‘My Strive Story’ Interview platform, we sit down with members from our different teams within the organization to find out where they came from, why they chose Strive, and what makes their experience here special.

Lindsay Norcom

Manager, Recruiting & Talent

Atlanta, GA

Tell us about yourself.

Hi! I’m Lindsay, an Atlanta-native who recently returned to my hometown after almost 6 wonderful years in Chicago. After a relocation for my husband’s job took us to Chicago, I decided it was a perfect opportunity for me to try a career in the corporate world. I worked as an elementary school counselor prior to our move, and Chicago is a city full of amazing opportunities that I wanted in on. In my journey to find the right path, along came Strive and I couldn’t be more grateful. I have already grown immensely here at Strive and am currently serving as a Manager of Recruitment & Talent. Outside of work, I love hanging out with my husband, Andrew, and our tabby cat, Phoebe. While trying new restaurants and bars is still a favorite past time, the pandemic has allowed us to hone our home chef and bartender skills. Outside of that, we both love spending time with friends and family, especially our niece and nephews. Oh, and we’re big sports people! We root for all the hometown teams – the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta United, and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. We also cheer on our honorary Chicago Bears during football season.

What attracted you to Strive?

From the beginning, I met a tight-knit team of incredibly kind and driven individuals who were always willing to help me learn I was drawn to Strive from the first conversation I had with a member of the corporate recruiting team. I could tell the company was warm and welcoming and striving (pardon the pun) to achieve big goals. It was evident that the people here were smart, passionate, and open-minded –  knew I wanted to be a part of what Strive was building. I also loved that Strive didn’t see my lack of corporate experience as a barrier, but a building block to my potential success. My time in education certainly taught me numerous skills that I could apply to my job as a recruiter and Strive valued that. All I needed was drive, determination, and a willingness to give 100% each day and my teammates and leaders at Strive would help me learn and develop along the way.

What keeps you at Strive?

If I had to pinpoint one thing that keeps me at Strive, which is tough by the way, it would be the growth opportunities I see for myself, the recruiters I manage, and the company as a whole. In just the 2.5 years I have been at Strive, we have added two new markets, Minneapolis, MN and Charlotte, NC, and have our sights set on adding many more down the line. Not only are we adding markets, but the leaders at Strive knew about my desire to one day move from Chicago back to my hometown of Atlanta, GA, one of Strive’s existing markets, and they helped me achieve that. As we continue to grow, there will be a need for Strive’s people to step up into new roles and it’s exciting to think about what that will look like.

What makes Strive stand above the rest?

I believe Strive stands above the rest because of the dedication and commitment to deliver the very best. To me, Strive stands out because it’s a place where your voice is heard and you have the opportunity to live out our Core Value, ‘Make an Impact.’ Upon joining Strive, I got involved with StriveX, our employee-led committee of extracurricular activities, and am now serving as a Co-chair of our revamped National StriveX program. I am also still involved with StriveX committees including Wellness and Women’s Empowerment (WE). Being a part of StriveX allows me to connect with my colleagues in a different way and build relationships outside of our day-to-day roles at Strive. Strive also makes it a priority to serve the communities where we have offices and StriveX is a catalyst to achieving that

What are you looking forward to in the future?

I look forward to seeing how Strive continues to grow, especially with our recent acquisition by The Planet Group. We still have big goals ahead of us and I fully believe that we have the right people and the right resources to help us achieve them. I am also really excited about all the new people we will add to Strive. Strive isn’t the company we are without our people, and I love that we are adding a diverse mix of bright and driven individuals month over month.

Interested in joining Strive?

Here at Strive Consulting, we foster an active, innovative culture, providing the coaching, mentoring, and support our employees need to work at the top of their game and succeed personally and professionally. Check out our Careers page for open roles and opportunities within Strive. We’re hiring!

Strive Consulting wouldn’t be the company it is today without the inspiring group of employees who make up our workforce. We pride ourselves on hiring individuals who bring a diverse group of skills and backgrounds to the table, which set our organization up for success.

Throughout our ‘My Strive Story’ Interview platform, we sit down with members from our different teams within the organization to find out where they came from, why they chose Strive, and what makes their experience here special.

Tell us about yourself.

Let me first tell you that I am a Senior Consultant in Strive’s Management Consulting practice based in Dallas, Texas. I’ve been in consulting for almost a decade, with 2 of those years spent at Strive. Now, on to the important things… I was born in San Diego, California, went to school in Arizona, and called Dallas my home starting in 2012. I’m a travel lover, taco worshiper, and I dare you to find someone who loves their dog as much as I love mine. I spend most of my time playing tourist with my pup, and since Covid, trying out the various streaming apps (admittedly for hours at a time), while curating my Japanese whisky collection. 

What attracted you to Strive?

Most consultants are drawn to this field with a promise of travel, dining on a corporate budget, and the variety of work. Coming out of college, I couldn’t think of a better line of work.  

That being said, I have worked as a consultant for many years (maybe not as many as some) and while I still love what I do, my priorities have shifted. I began looking for a company that fit with my values now: spending more time at home, relationships with people, and connectivity to my local community.  

When Strive and I began our courtship, I was drawn to three things in particular: the local delivery model, company culture, and the overall opportunity available. The local delivery model meant I could work and live in the same city, and as I begin to build my family, this has become more of a priority for me. The company culture was present in every interview and employee I spoke with. Every employee was excited, driven, and genuine, from HR rep to CEO. Strive empowers their employees to voice opinions, share thoughts, and to own and drive change. As Strive continues to grow, the opportunity is endless.  

What keeps you at Strive?

Strive has not lost sight of the things that drew me to it those few years ago, even with the growth they have had. With other firms I have been a part of, this is not always the case. You tend to feel lost in the crowd of larger companies. Strive’s leadership continues to prioritize their employees and maintain the culture they have built when they first began. They are connected to their employees in a way you don’t see in other firms. Want to start a community outreach program? Let’s talk about it. Want to learn about a specific technology? Let’s talk about it. Want to make changes to an existing process because you think there may be a better way? Let’s talk about it. They listen to their employees, pivot when something isn’t working, and actively work to provide its employees with a platform to reach their potential. 

What makes Strive stand above the rest?

Now I have been drinking the “Strive Kool-Aid” for a couple of years now, so I may be a bit biased. However, I truly believe Strive has figured out a way to make a company feel more like a family. I work with a great group of people, who are authentic, positive, and passionate everyday. A big part of enjoying the work you do, in the office or on the client site, is enjoying the people you get to work and build with. This shines through when we engage with our clients and continue to build lasting relationships with them. Strive has carefully cultivated a work environment that I am proud to be a part of.

What are you looking forward to in the future?

With the Covid clouds parting, I am excited for Strive’s growth, my own professional growth, and our market growth. As the Dallas office grows, and consultants are added to the practice, I am excited to see how they will come in and help shape Strive, making their own mark in the company. It’s an exciting time at Strive and an awesome thing to be a part of. 

Interested in joining Strive?

Here at Strive Consulting, we foster an active, innovative culture, providing the coaching, mentoring, and support our employees need to work at the top of their game and succeed personally and professionally. Check out our Careers page for open roles and opportunities within Strive. We’re hiring!

Strive Consulting wouldn’t be the company it is without the inspiring group of employees who make up our workforce. We pride ourselves on hiring individuals who bring a diverse group of skills and backgrounds to the table, which set our organization up for success.

Throughout our ‘My Strive Story’ Interview platform, we sit down with members from our different teams within the organization to find out where they came from, why they chose Strive, and what makes their experience special.

Tell us about yourself.

First and foremost, to my fellow Veterans, we answered the call and served our country honorably. Every day, but more so on November 11^th, I’ll hold my head up high, knowing that I’m part of such an esteemed group of individuals.

In addition, to my Army brothers and sisters from the recently decommissioned 67^th Signal Battalion, thank you for being my battle buddies. Our accomplishments were great; the camaraderie was even greater.

Born in Chicago and raised in the Northwest Suburbs, I’m about as Chicagoan as the next guy. I prefer to call buildings by their original names (i.e., Comisky, Sears Tower, and the Rosemont Horizon). Give me a Chicago-style hotdog, but hold the sport peppers, or hit me with a Maxwell Street Polish any day of the week. If you want something truly Chicago, go with the giardiniera – no other city does it better.

I’ve been a consultant since 2008 and partnered with multiple organizations, across many industries, implementing IT solutions. I enjoy the challenge of bringing my client’s visions to fruition. More than that, I enjoy establishing a team dynamic between my clients and my colleagues.

What attracted you to Strive?

Before joining Strive, I was on the road for a significant amount of time. Strive’s local engagement model allows me to be with my family at home, instead of calling in via FaceTime from a hotel room. The quality of projects, diverse client base, and dynamic pace of work never falters and is still a huge part of who Strive is, but with the added benefit of staying out of airport check-in lines.

The size of Strive was also a huge factor in me joining. While Strive is growing at a rapid rate, we still have a close, tight-knit employee base, which is seen in the structure of our internal teams. I personally prefer smaller teams, where I can get to know my colleagues and have the opportunity to work together on challenging engagements – which is exactly how Strive operates.

What keeps you at Strive?

The challenging engagements. Each engagement has presented me with an opportunity for career growth and professional development. Whether it is a new role, new responsibilities, or new technologies, I’ve been able to have unique and fulfilling experiences, all while enjoying the people on my teams, both internally and externally.

What makes Strive stand above the rest?

Our ability to respond to change. We’re at a size that allows us to react quickly to changes and pivot accordingly, ensuring our decisions are correct for our clients and colleagues. This applies to the engagements we work on and how we work and interact.

What are you looking forward to in the future?

We’re a part of an interesting time; the post-pandemic landscape continues to change how we operate. I’m looking forward to seeing the response to the ever-changing “work” dynamic. Whatever the world brings, I do know that at Strive, we will successfully adapt and overcome.

Interested in joining Strive?

Here at Strive Consulting, we foster an active, innovative culture, providing the coaching, mentoring, and support our employees need to work at the top of their game and succeed personally and professionally. Check out our Careers page for open roles and opportunities within Strive. We’re hiring and we’re dedicated to being your partner, committed to success.

Strive Consulting wouldn’t be the company it is without the inspiring group of employees who make up our workforce. We pride ourselves on hiring individuals who bring a diverse group of skills and backgrounds to the table, which set our organization up for success.

Throughout our ‘My Strive Story’ Interview platform, we sit down with members from our different teams within the organization to find out where they came from, why they chose Strive, and what makes their experience special.

Tell us about yourself.

Hi – I’m John Reed. I am no longer a young man. I’ve seen some stuff.

Professionally, I act as a Client Solutions Director for Strive Consulting. Being a graduate from THE Ohio State University in Computer Sciences, I’m an engineer at heart. I’ve been a technology consultant for the bulk of my 25-year career. At Strive, my job is to understand our clients and their challenges, while partnering with them and our internal subject matter experts to create actionable solutions.

Personally – when not consulting or ‘solution-ing’, I consume every form of media you can think of involving science fiction or fantasy. I used to be a wrestler and a Muay Thai practitioner… but now, I am old. I no longer practice those disciplines, but I do enjoy reflecting back on those days, even though it makes my bones creak!

I’ve been married 13 years and we are the proud parents of three cats. I love to cook and can’t thank Alton Brown enough for writing “I’m Just Here For The Food”. It blends my love of food and science and changed my life! In addition to being old, I am also now overweight.

What attracted you to Strive?

On two separate occasions, within ten days of one another, trusted contacts recommended connecting with Strive and offered to make introductions. I don’t believe in coincidences, so I felt the universe was giving me sign. I was first introduced to Tyde Prater, Strive’s Chief Growth Officer and eventually, I was connected with Strive’s Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Consulting, Jeff Dillenburg.

We talked about building a better consulting model and shared ideas and philosophies on what that might look like. It led to conversations over dinner and waxing poetic on what could be. They were friendly and engaging conversations by like-minded industry peers and I left them as just that.

A year and a half later, I was offered a job to help build the things we talked about over those dinners. Now, we have friendly and engaging, like-minded conversations as colleagues.

What keeps you at Strive?

The continued opportunity to grow, evolve, and innovate the craft of consulting – those initial ideas over dinner are being tested and realized. It’s an opportunity to be heard and make a difference to clients and co-workers alike. We’re continuing to evolve a better consulting mousetrap every day and I love that challenge.

I enjoy seeing the benefits a well-executed consulting engagement has on our clients. I enjoy helping consultants get better at what they do. And, I enjoy the healthy operation of a consulting practice.

Strive is a platform where I can help grow and mature a craft that is near and dear to my heart and I am grateful for the opportunity.

What makes Strive stand above the rest?

We’re not perfect. But we care, we’re honest, and we work hard.

What are you looking forward to in the future?

Ohio State bringing home another national championship in football before this mortal coil forsakes me.

Or basketball… I’d take basketball too… or wrestling…. Synchronized swimming is a lock though.

Interested in joining Strive?

Here at Strive Consulting, we foster an active, innovative culture, providing the coaching, mentoring, and support our employees need to work at the top of their game and succeed personally and professionally. Check out our Careers page for open roles and opportunities within Strive. We’re hiring and we’re dedicated to being your partner, committed to success.