CHICAGO – West Monroe Partners, a national business and technology consultancy, today announced its 2019 class of Fischer Global Service Fellows. Now in its sixth year, the Fischer Global Service Fellowship Program provides West Monroe employees with a three- to six-month leave to support a philanthropic and humanitarian issue of interest, anywhere in the world.
West Monroe launched the Global Service Fellowship Program in 2013. The firm renamed the program in 2015 to honor the firm’s co-founder and former CEO, Dean Fischer, who inspired the organization with his commitment to building healthy communities and preserving the natural environment.
“We are excited to welcome our largest class of Fischer Fellows to date. Our eight new Fischer Fellows have exciting and rewarding journeys in progress or ahead, and we look forward to lending our encouragement and support from afar,” said Susan Stelter, West Monroe’s chief people officer. “This program has become an important thread in the fabric of our firm. Our people want to do work that matters, both personally and professionally, and it is extremely motivating to see the impact when they apply their energy and skills in this capacity.”
Following are the 2019 Fischer Fellows:
- Olivia Grev, an experienced consultant in the Consumer & Industrial Products practice in Minneapolis, will work with an economic development organization to improve the agriculture value chain of smallholder farms in Africa through collaboration with food companies, non-profits, and governments. She will develop solutions that improve crop financing, farming techniques, and field technology.
- Tom Hulsebosch, senior managing director and leader of the firm’s Energy & Utilities practice and Dallas office, will volunteer with Genesys Works in Chicago, which provides pathways to career success for high school students in underserved communities. An experienced leader, Tom will bring his skills and knowledge to help grow the Genesys Works internship program to meet the demand from Chicago Public Schools students; enhance the organization’s collaboration with the Chicago Apprentice Network; and introduce consulting as a career path for Genesys Works interns during their summer training.
- Nick and Sarah Kennedy, Operations Excellence senior manager and visual design manager, respectively, in Chicago, are volunteering with the Chol Chol Foundation (Temuco, Chile), which improves the lives of the indigenous Mapuche people through human development projects and commercialization of artisan products. While previous Fellows have volunteered with partners, this is the first time West Monroe has sent a team (in this case, a married couple) on the same Fellowship, increasing the impact they will create together. The Kennedys are increasing the foundation’s digital capabilities (website, artisan videos, product QR codes) and improving their internal processes (volunteer onboarding, store operations, and microcredit finance). Follow Nick and Sarah on their blog, 180DaysSouth.com.
- Kaila McDonnell, a senior consultant in the Financial Services practice in New York City, will work with Whole World Women Association (Cape Town, South Africa). The organization began as a self-help and support group for refuge women and now offers services such as skills development, counseling, and health education. She will focus on two business ventures that create entrepreneurship opportunities for unemployed women.
- Stephanie Rex, a senior consultant in the Customer Experience practice in Seattle, has arrived in Melbourne and will be volunteering with Make-A-Wish Australia for the next five months. As one of Australia's most trusted and inspirational charities, Make-A-Wish partners with sick kids, their families and medical teams to grant wishes as unique as the children who imagine them. Stephanie will be helping the Wish Production team carefully design Wish Journeys to support children in their fight for their health.
- Chaille Stewart, a manager in the Operations Excellence practice in Chicago, will work with the Center for Employment Opportunities (New York City), which helps formerly incarcerated individuals build career capital and financial stability. She will help upgrade organization’s Salesforce platform, assist with refreshing its data analytics strategy, support criminal justice policy reform, and mentor individuals through their career journey.
- Madeline Verbeten, a senior consultant in the mergers and acquisitions practice in Minneapolis, will work with Manna Project International (Chillos Valley, Ecuador), which provides services ranging from child daycare to adult literacy programs at its community center. She will focus on determining the role Manna can play in addressing the high unemployment that exists in the community. She will begin with an assessment to determine what support the community needs for assisting entrepreneurs and start-ups, training community members for available jobs, and offering job search and placement services.
The eight new Fischer Fellows join 20 other West Monroe professionals who previously completed fellowships, supporting causes that include literacy, clean water, gender equity, mental/behavioral health, economic empowerment, infrastructure development, human trafficking, the refuge crisis in Greece, and more. Fischer Fellows have served on almost all continents, as well as in the United States.
Employees interested in pursuing a Fischer Fellowship must develop a comprehensive proposal, which includes vetting an organization to work with and creating a proof of concept detailing a budget and expected impact A West Monroe committee solicits and reviews the proposals annually and awards several applicants with fellowship opportunities.
The Fischer Global Service Fellowship is one component of West Monroe’s social responsibility program, which is focused on boosting capacity for organizations working towards solving the most pressing social issues in the communities where we live and work. Most recently, the firm’s more than 1,100 employees volunteered for its “National Day of Service,” on June 14, dedicating time to 38 organizations in nine cities.
The Fischer Global Service Fellowship Program received a Social & Community Investment Award from Consulting® magazine in 2016. West Monroe has also been named a top workplace for giving back and in 2018 was part of PEOPLE’s 50 Companies That Care.
About West Monroe Partners
West Monroe is a national business and technology consulting firm that partners with dynamic organizations to reimagine, build, and operate their businesses at peak performance. Our team of more than 1,100 professionals is comprised of an uncommon blend of business consultants and deep technologists. This unique combination of expertise enables us to design, develop, implement, and run strategic business and technology solutions that yield a dramatic commercial impact on our clients’ profitability and performance. For more information, visit www.wmp.com.
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