Why I Chose West Monroe in Three Songs from Jesus Jones

I joined West Monroe in April of 2022. My timing isn’t always great, but in this case it was perfect.

Our 20th anniversary all-company meeting took place in May. The all-company meeting was fantastic on a variety of levels: addressing pent up demand to be together, providing space for conversation and the magic of serendipity, and creating a forum for important topics like where West Monroe has been and where we’re going.

In the lead up to the 20th anniversary celebration, employees were asked to provide the name of their favorite song when they were 20. The submissions became the all-company meeting playlist. When CEO, Kevin McCarty, opened up the meeting, he talked a bit about his favorite song when he was 20 and a student at University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. The song is “Right Here, Right Now” from Jesus Jones. What a perfect song to kick off the event as “there is no other place [we] want to be”.

Here is why I chose to join West Monroe as Partner and Chief Marketing Officer in Three Songs from Jesus Jones.

Like Kevin, I was in college listening to Jesus Jones. To this day, I have a penchant for the Manchester Sound. Think: The Smiths, Stone Roses, Oasis, New Order, among others. And, I have covered a number of songs from these artists.

1. “Real, Real, Real” This song asks “Do you feel real?” I had the good fortune to meet Kevin McCarty back in 2018 when I interviewed him for the membership in the Economic Club of Chicago. And, from there I met Casey Foss who serves as our Chief Commercial Officer. Both set the tone for the culture at West Monroe which is down to earth, hard working—or as we like to say: work hard, care hard, and real. I was a fan of West Monroe long before I started interviewing. And, when I started interviewing I felt valued based on the skills I bring to the table: storytelling, networking, bringing strategy to life via creative marketing programs.
2. “International Bright Young Thing” This song opens up with the line “Please introduce yourself; let’s shock the world with what we know.” All companies have values. Not all companies live them in the way that West Monroe does. I love all of our values (FUN? Yes, please). In particular, I love how we think about growth. The value is called “Quality over Growth”. West Monroe has been growing by leaps and bounds and has done so in a very intentional manner. Most recently, we opened up an office in London, extending our global footprint. The office opening is largely the result of client requests. And, the announcement sets the stage for more international expansion. Another of our values is “People First” which I witness every day with our focus on developing the Next Generation of Leaders. I’ve long been focused on coaching and development from not-for-profit experience with the Alpha Omicron Pi Foundation to staying in touch with former colleagues to be helpful in any way that I can to further their career development. I love that we’re developing a cohort of international bright young things intent on solving client problems and making this world a better place.
3. “Right Here, Right Now” Circling back to Kevin’s favorite song when he was 20, there is a great lyric “I was alive and I waited, waited; I was alive and I waited for this”. Same, Kevin. I’m delighted to be here at West Monroe which feels like the exact right place at the exact right time. I love West Monroe, and I want everyone to understand how we can help clients not just do digital, but #bedigital.

Care to join me? Check out open roles here: Digital Consulting Jobs | West Monroe Careers | West Monroe