Jessica Palffy 

“I am a very family-oriented mom who is driven and adventurous.”  

McKinsey Office: Detroit

Hometown: Grosse Pointe, Michigan

Undergraduate School, Major: Colby College, Government and International Relations

MBA Program and Concentration: University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business

What was your favorite thing about your MBA program? I appreciated the flexibility that Ross provided me, while maintaining a very high level of rigor. I had the opportunity to work with a few different startups and businesses while at Ross, so I was able to spend time in the classroom and apply what I learned hours later. I built confidence in navigating problems in different spaces through hands-on experiences.

Can you describe your proudest pre-McKinsey accomplishment? I am most proud of the work that one of my mentors and I did with DSST Public Schools, a network of schools that aspires to eliminate educational inequity and prepare students for success in college, career, and life. Our team built the college success program, one of the signature programs for the organization. I am most proud that 100% of students were (and continue to be) accepted to college since the network’s founding. I’m proud of being able to provide more students, particularly from students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in higher education, with the opportunity to choose a post-secondary pathway that meets their goals and needs.

Why did you choose McKinsey over other consulting firms or other industries? I chose McKinsey because of its commitment to apprenticeship and developing people. I believed McKinsey would be a place where I could learn and grow and be challenged and supported—all at the same time.

Who at the Firm has been the most impactful mentor to you and why? Anna Searle in the Detroit office. She was one of my managers throughout a study. She always makes time… So, it’s “Hey, let’s problem solve together,” vs. “Do this task.” Anna helps colleagues learn and understand the firm, and she challenges people by giving them opportunities to grow and supporting them in that growth.

Anna has shown up for me in a multitude of ways and has been very intentional about setting me up for success. She is an incredible example of mentorship and how you can bring people along with you.

What are three words that describe working at McKinsey? Inspiring, challenging (in a good way!), and people-oriented.

What were you most excited about when you accepted your full-time offer? What is something you didn’t know to be excited about then, but you are now? I was excited about the opportunity to solve ambiguous problems and really stretch my thinking. But I didn’t expect to really become part of a team and become expert on topics so quickly.

I was surprised that McKinsey is so people-centric—even more than I gave it credit for before joining. In the studies of which I’ve been a part, from my peers to leadership, colleagues really care about you as an individual and set you up to learn and lead in spaces.

If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice during the interview process, what would you say? Take it seriously, but don’t take it too seriously to the point that you lose track of what you want. You must be who you are—that is first and foremost.

Interviewing is such an overwhelming process and experience. Be thoughtful about what matters to you in an employer versus trying to be all the things.

In what area(s) do you have considerable knowledge or expertise? I’ve spent the last nine months in the SHaPE (Social, Healthcare and Public Entities) practice and had the privilege of doing education-related work.

Tell us about an “only at McKinsey” moment you’ve had so far: One thing, for me, was the opportunity to be in a small group conversation with a partner who is incredibly inspiring and a former CEO. The partner led a firm I’ve always been intrigued by, and there I was, having them ask for my input on a problem.

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