Full Name
Bob Willen
Job Title
Global Managing Partner and Chairman of the Board
Company
Kearney
Speaker Bio
Bob Willen is the Global Managing Partner and Chairman of Kearney, a leading global management consulting firm. As the organization's 10th chairman, Bob brings more than 25 years of experience transforming major enterprises across industries and continents. With a truly global perspective shaped by extensive work in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, he has built a reputation for delivering exceptional results in diverse business environments.
Under his distinguished leadership as chair of Kearney’s Middle East and Africa (MEA) region from 2015 to 2024, Bob drove consistent growth throughout the region. During this period, he led the firm's global strategic growth initiative and executed the acquisition of a leading Middle East transformation specialist, significantly expanding Kearney's capabilities to deliver comprehensive transformation solutions for clients worldwide. As MEA Region Chair, Bob was also an active sponsor of Kearney’s PROUD Network for both MEA and APAC, which provides professional mentoring and sponsorship, and promotes awareness and visibility for the firm’s LGBTQIA+ community.
A recognized thought leader globally, Bob’s insights have been featured in numerous whitepapers and media publications, including recent features in Forbes Korea, the Times of India, The Economic Times, CNBC India, and the Australian Financial Review. He also co-authored the influential book Rebuilding the Corporate Genome, which provides groundbreaking insights on how organizations can leverage value chain disruption for competitive advantage.
Before assuming his current role, Bob demonstrated versatility and expertise across multiple sectors, serving as global leader for Kearney’s Government and Economic Development practice and prior to that heading Kearney's global aerospace and defense, automotive, transportation, and infrastructure practices. He also served as President and Chairman of the Board for A.T. Kearney Public Sector and Defense Services, LLC (PSDS).
Bob's unique perspective stems from his background as an aerospace engineer, bringing technical precision and innovative thinking to business challenges. His academic credentials include an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, an MS in Aerospace Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, and a BA in Physics from the University of Virginia.
Under his distinguished leadership as chair of Kearney’s Middle East and Africa (MEA) region from 2015 to 2024, Bob drove consistent growth throughout the region. During this period, he led the firm's global strategic growth initiative and executed the acquisition of a leading Middle East transformation specialist, significantly expanding Kearney's capabilities to deliver comprehensive transformation solutions for clients worldwide. As MEA Region Chair, Bob was also an active sponsor of Kearney’s PROUD Network for both MEA and APAC, which provides professional mentoring and sponsorship, and promotes awareness and visibility for the firm’s LGBTQIA+ community.
A recognized thought leader globally, Bob’s insights have been featured in numerous whitepapers and media publications, including recent features in Forbes Korea, the Times of India, The Economic Times, CNBC India, and the Australian Financial Review. He also co-authored the influential book Rebuilding the Corporate Genome, which provides groundbreaking insights on how organizations can leverage value chain disruption for competitive advantage.
Before assuming his current role, Bob demonstrated versatility and expertise across multiple sectors, serving as global leader for Kearney’s Government and Economic Development practice and prior to that heading Kearney's global aerospace and defense, automotive, transportation, and infrastructure practices. He also served as President and Chairman of the Board for A.T. Kearney Public Sector and Defense Services, LLC (PSDS).
Bob's unique perspective stems from his background as an aerospace engineer, bringing technical precision and innovative thinking to business challenges. His academic credentials include an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, an MS in Aerospace Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, and a BA in Physics from the University of Virginia.
Speaking At
