Charlene Li, an expert in digital disruption and leadership, has joined PA Consulting as chief research officer. She is based in San Francisco.
Li brings more than 20 years of experience in consulting and research, with a focus on supporting clients with digital innovation challenges. She has extensive experience identifying market trends and distilling pertinent insights for C-suite leaders. Li has advised more than 100 companies, including General Electric and Southwest Airlines.
In her new role at PA, Li will oversee quantitative and qualitative research and analysis on pressing strategic issues, as well as strengthen the insights the consultancy takes to market.
“Charlene’s ability to identify the issues leaders everywhere care about and advise them through compelling thought-leading insights will ensure PA continues to lead the debate externally,” said Ken Toombs, CEO of PA Consulting. “Hiring incredible world-class senior talent like Charlene is a key step in supporting PA’s growth, as we continue to win exciting work that directly addresses the biggest challenges and opportunities our clients face.”
Li in 2008 founded Altimeter, a research and advisory firm focusing on disruptive technologies. The firm was in 2015 acquired by Prophet – a marketing, design, and brand strategy firm. She spent the last seven years at Prophet as a senior fellow, advising clients on digital transformation and growth.
Before founding Altimeter, Li spent nearly a decade at Forrester Research, where she was latterly a principal analyst. Earlier in her career, she spent three years as a consultant at Monitor Group (now Monitor Deloitte).
Li is the author of six books, including the New York Times bestseller “Open Leadership.” Her most recent book, “The Disruption Mindset,” advises leaders on how to create growth via disruption.
Li has an MBA and bachelor’s degree from Harvard University.
“Now, more than ever, clients are looking for compelling viewpoints on how to innovate and transform,” Li said. “I’m thrilled to be joining PA to further strengthen its external insight, and to help develop research and thought leadership; ensuring PA continues to lead the debate externally, and its people are sought out for their knowledge, which can’t be found elsewhere.”
PA provides innovation and transformation consulting to leading organizations worldwide. The London-headquartered firm has 3,300 professionals across Europe and United States.
PA was last year acquired by design and engineering consultancy Jacobs.