Andrew Lue

BCG Office: Toronto, Ontario

Hometown: Toronto, Ontario

MBA Program, Concentration: Smith School of Business at Queen’s University

Undergraduate school, major: Queen’s University, Environmental Biology

Focus of current case/engagement: Designing a production system for a mining company.

Why did you choose BCG? I was drawn to BCG’s commitment to driving impact for employees, clients, and the community at large. As I connected with BCGers through the recruiting process, these themes always came to the forefront. However, I was particularly drawn to BCG’s employee-centricity and recognized how a valued group of employees ultimately drove the firm’s collective success. Manifesting in many ways, whether, through continued self-development, strong affiliation networks, or commitments to structured teaming, it was evident that the people were the product, and I wanted to be a part of that ecosystem.

What did you love about the business school you attended? I loved the team-based learning and diversity at Smith, both of which work hand-in-hand to deliver an experience like no other. Smith uses a team-based learning delivery model that proxies the real world and teaches the skills needed to drive both individual and team success. Layered with people coming from a myriad of cultures and previous work and academic experiences, we consistently drove towards more substantive deliverables built on the continued refinement of diverse perspectives.  My core team alone, each member hailed from a different part of the globe and came from backgrounds in environmental and operations consulting, freelance marketing, sales, and finance.

BCG’s purpose is “unlocking the potential of those who advance the world.” What has BCG unlocked in you? BCG has unlocked my passion for taking on new challenges with moxie. The generalist model gives you access to exciting stretch opportunities, and enables you to refine your ability to thrive in uncertainty. While working at BCG, I continue to feel more confident in finding new challenges to apply my consulting toolkit. This toolkit is taught and continuously refined to provide stability and precision to carry you through the most nebulous of problem-solving junctures.

What was your greatest personal or professional accomplishment and how did you make a difference? I used to work with Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada, an organization committed to solving the concussion crisis in sport. One of my proudest achievements was supporting and advocating for the passing of Ontario’s concussion safety bill, Rowan’s Law, in March 2018. It’s named in memory of 17-year-old Rowan Stringer, who died from a concussion injury (her second in less than a week) in a high school rugby game in 2013. The law is designed to protect amateur athletes and educate coaches about the dangers of head injuries, particularly for the pediatric population.

What word best describes BCG’s culture and give us an example of how you’ve experienced this in your day-to-day work? Curious. At BCG, there is always an inclination to learn and understand more. This translates in many ways culturally but can be felt daily in how people strive to connect with others to really learn more about each other. Very rarely do conversations stay surface level, which has, thankfully, helped me genuinely connect with many colleagues despite the recent work from home environment. When you put a group of intellectually curious people in a room, there is often a great discussion on the horizon.

Please describe an “only at BCG” moment you’ve experienced so far. I’ve had the pleasure of presenting BCG thought leadership on diversity, equity, and inclusion to various stakeholders. This is important to me as confirmation of how BCG leverages its position with decision makers of the world to create a positive impact for our communities. The leadership intertwined with BCG’s prestige provides a unique platform of scale and influence that I believe is necessary to leverage in the efforts to improve many of the world’s societal tribulations.

What advice would you give someone interviewing at BCG? Lean into what makes you who you are. There is no ‘cookie-cutter’ BCGer. We are a diverse set of people not looking to conform. Don’t shy away from your uniqueness when you are interviewing; it can be a distraction from letting your mind shine.

Which manager or peer has had the biggest impact on you at BCG, and how has this person made you a better consultant? Vinay Shandal, a Managing Director & Partner in the Toronto office. He was one of the first BCGers I connected with before joining the firm. Since then, he has continued to help elucidate consulting and BCG. He has a precise candor that has helped me, and many others, tactically think through our career goals. On top of that, he has an infectious passion for driving the diversity, equity, and inclusion agenda within and beyond BCG.

A fun fact about me is…I am a retired professional football player. I played 5 years in the Canadian Football League before pursuing my MBA.

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