Jourdan Henry 

McKinsey Office: Los Angeles

“I’m a naturally curious person who pursues the truth and is always asking questions.” 

Hometown: Spring Valley, New York

MBA Program and Concentration: Harvard Business School

Undergraduate School, Major: Howard University, Journalism

What was your favorite thing about your MBA program? What I enjoyed most was the case method and the way classes are taught. It really focuses in on being able to share your perspective and using facts to back up that perspective.

Can you describe your proudest pre-McKinsey accomplishment?  I studied journalism in undergrad and received a scholarship from the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA). The WHCA aims to ensure the press has access to the president and people within the federal government and promotes the importance of a free and independent press in general. To receive a scholarship and be recognized at their annual dinner was a very special moment for me.

Why did you choose McKinsey over other consulting firms or other industries? During my internship, I appreciated the significant level of access to leadership I was granted, including weekly meetings with the chief strategy officer and the CEO. This exposure not only highlighted the human aspects of high-level executives, but also aligned with my future aspirations to become a C-suite executive myself. It reinforced my belief that McKinsey could provide opportunities to interact with and learn from individuals in roles I aspire to hold. Additionally, I was drawn to McKinsey for its strong feedback culture.

What are three words that describe working at McKinsey? Excellence, growth, challenging.

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 think I was most excited about having the opportunity to be a part of (and contribute to) a firm that really has established a brand of being distinctive, excellent, and best-in-class, and hoping to live up to that brand and clients. I made a lot of friends at the firm already, and that’s not something I initially expected.

Who at the firm has been the most impactful mentor to you and why? There are a lot of formal and informal interactions you’re able to have with senior leaders at the firm. Those relationships are established both in the team room, but also outside of the team room. It could be setting up time where work or the client aren’t part of the agenda, and while you’re grabbing a bite to eat you talk about your ambitions, what brought you to the firm, your background prior to joining, the sports teams you’re a fan of, what music you like—understanding the total person. And through that, developing a relationship where the individual is able to provide guidance.

And that’s really encouraged as a part of the strong focus on apprenticeship and coaching, both as it relates to your development at the firm, but also your development as a whole person.  I’ve really appreciated that.

If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice during the interview process, what would you say? Let your personality shine through. You may be working through a challenging case study and trying to get the math right or trying to answer the personal experience questions in a way that shows you in the best light. However, this is ultimately a very people-focused job. You’re working in teams, you’re working with clients, and you’re trying to bring people along and inspire change and new ways of working. I think it helps to better understand who the person is on the other side of the interview table during the interview.

In what area(s) do you have considerable knowledge or expertise?  I’ve been doing “a random walk.” In other words, working across industries. Thus far, I’ve worked in fintech, beauty and skincare, as well as industrials. Prior to joining the firm, a lot of my experience has been within tech and media, especially as it relates to media measurement and advertising.

Tell us about an “only at McKinsey” moment you’ve had so far: Going back to my summer internship: you can come in and have an impact. For example, you can be analyzing a segment of the customers and the client’s business and providing insights that a CEO is then using to present to her board of directors.

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