Priyal Keni

“Former professional rifle shooter turned consultant; passionate about learning, problem-solving, and driving social impact.”

McKinsey Office: London

Hometown: Mumbai, India

MBA Program and Concentration: London Business School, Strategy concentration

Undergraduate School, Major: BCom, University of Mumbai; Chartered Accountant, ICAI

What was your favorite thing about your MBA program? I knew the MBA would likely be my last chance to return to student life, so I jumped in with both feet to maximize the experience and make the most of everything business school had to offer. Over the two years, one of the highlights was serving as President of the London Business School Student Association. In this role, I had the privilege of leading more than 60 student officers and representing nearly 1,500 students across seven programs. What I loved most was the opportunity to bring people together—whether it was shaping initiatives that strengthened our community, amplifying student voices to the administration, or supporting classmates in making the most of their own MBA journeys. It taught me how to lead inclusively, balance diverse perspectives, and create impact in a community I deeply cared about.

Can you describe your proudest pre-McKinsey accomplishment? In what area(s) do you have considerable knowledge or expertise? Representing India as a professional rifle shooter is an experience I will always treasure. Though it’s a rather unconventional sport, I was fortunate to discover it early on and grew to love it deeply. For nearly 10 years—seven of which I had the honor of competing for my country—I learned lessons in resilience, discipline, and performing under pressure that continue to guide me today as a consultant.

After stepping down from the Indian shooting team, I felt compelled to give back by founding a nonprofit that makes athletics more accessible to children from underprivileged backgrounds and uses it as a platform to help bridge the gender gap. It has been a deeply fulfilling experience to channel what I’ve learned through sport into creating opportunities for others and driving positive change.

Why did you choose McKinsey over other consulting firms or other industries? Before my MBA, I focused primarily on tech strategy at Deloitte, but I wanted to broaden my experience beyond that. I chose McKinsey because it offered the kind of environment and growth I was seeking. This was through the opportunity to “make my own McKinsey” by working on projects spanning a breadth of industries, or by riding a steep learning curve in an ecosystem that constantly challenges you to grow. All of this happened while was surrounded by colleagues who are not only incredibly knowledgeable and driven, but also generous with their time and support. I feel grateful every day to learn from such inspiring people and be part of a culture that pushes you to achieve more while reminding you that you’re never doing it alone.

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’ll never forget calling my parents right after getting the job offer. I hadn’t even told them I was interviewing. When I first shared the news, they didn’t really react—they actually had to look up McKinsey on the internet to understand! The next day, they messaged me saying how happy and proud they were. Sharing that joy with them made the achievement feel even more meaningful.

What I didn’t know to be excited about at the time—but has since become one of the most rewarding parts of my journey—is the sheer diversity of experiences and backgrounds of the people I’ve had the chance to work with. From former entrepreneurs to doctors, engineers, and everything in between, it’s incredible how much you learn simply by being surrounded by such a wide range of perspectives. What ties everyone together is how people-driven the organization is. That sense of community and support is something I hadn’t fully anticipated, but it’s what makes this place so special.

Can you share a time you received mentorship while at McKinsey? How has it made you better? Feedback and coaching are deeply embedded in the firm’s culture, and I’ve benefited from it since day one. One standout mentor has been Toks Ogunsanya, a fellow LBS alum who became both my buddy and go-to colleague at McKinsey. She has been invaluable in helping me navigate staffing, build my toolkit, and find my footing at the firm.

Another mentor who’s had a huge impact on me is Lorenzo Chiesa, who was the engagement manager on one of my studies and has since become a trusted mentor and friend. I genuinely enjoyed working with him and appreciated the thoughtful coaching he gave me, particularly in encouraging me to take on more ownership and responsibility. That experience helped me grow not just in confidence, but also in the way I approach problem-solving and leadership.

If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice during the interview process, what would you say? If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be this: just be yourself. You don’t need to claim passion for a specific industry just because you think that’s what interviewers want to hear. It’s completely fine not to have it all figured out. It’s even fine to ask the questions you worry might sound “silly”—about the firm, the work we do, or what a day in the life of a McKinsey consultant really looks like. I did all of that when I was applying.

What truly matters is sharing your real story—what drives you, what excites you about consulting, and what you hope to learn. McKinsey isn’t looking for one type of person; the firm values people who bring their own experiences and perspectives. The strongest impression you can make is by showing up as your authentic self.

What’s something you’ve learned here that you know will be useful for your entire career? Resilience. In less than a year, I’ve grown tremendously in my ability to deliver under pressure on different projects. What’s surprised me, though, is how much of that resilience comes from the people around you. Every study feels like a new challenge, and there are moments when it feels overwhelming. That said, having a team that’s supportive, collaborative, and willing to figure things out together makes all the difference.

I’ve learned it’s not about knowing everything on day one, but about showing up with curiosity, leaning on your teammates, and pushing through challenges together. That mindset—resilience grounded in people and teamwork—is something I know will stay with me throughout my career.

What’s an example of a time when a teammate challenged you, inspired you, or pushed you to think bigger or go further than you would have on your own? When I was staffed on one of my early studies, I was given the opportunity to independently lead my own workstream and take ownership of driving client sponsor meetings. My engagement manager mentored me on how he would approach structuring the problem and building the work plan, which gave me the confidence to step up.

It was intimidating at first. By the end of the project, I could clearly see the impact our team was delivering—and how much I had grown in the process. That experience showed me that with the right support and guidance, I can achieve more than I thought possible. It also shaped how I think about leadership: I try to pay that forward by creating the same kind of supportive environment for teammates, giving them space to take ownership while knowing they have someone in their corner.

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