Leading the MBB: How McKinsey, Bain, and BCG Navigate Strategy, AI, and Global Challenges

The leaders of McKinsey, Bain, and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) are at the helm of the world’s most prestigious strategy consulting firms, collectively known as MBB. These firms advise top companies and governments on strategy, mergers, and AI adoption, employing tens of thousands of consultants globally.

McKinsey’s global managing partner, Bob Sternfels, leads approximately 40,000 employees worldwide. Sternfels, who joined McKinsey in 1994, emphasizes humor and vulnerability in his leadership style. Under his guidance, McKinsey has launched its AI consulting arm, QuantumBlack, and navigated controversies, including its past involvement with Purdue Pharma.

Christophe De Vusser, the worldwide managing partner, CEO, and chairman of Bain & Company, oversees about 19,000 employees. De Vusser, the first European to hold this role, focuses on integrating AI into Bain’s services, which now account for 30% of the firm’s business. He advocates for using AI as a catalyst for business transformation rather than a mere technology initiative.

Christoph Schweizer, CEO of BCG, leads the firm with a values-led, empathetic approach. BCG, with its 1,500 managing directors and partners, has seen significant growth in AI investments, which comprised about 20% of its total revenue in 2024. Schweizer addresses challenges such as embedding AI in client operations and promoting sustainability, emphasizing the need for rapid decarbonization efforts.