Meet Maggie Desmond

This year, Maggie Desmond celebrates a milestone – five years at ghSMART. In honor of this occasion, we sat down to learn about her journey before joining the firm, the work she does today, and the meaningful connections she’s built with her clients and colleagues along the way.

From Teaching to Consulting: A Career Path Defined by People

A proud Wisconsin native, I grew up in the American Midwest amidst a family of computer engineers and data scientists with a strong social conscience. My career started in a classroom. As a history teacher in rural Hawaii through Teach for America, I developed an early passion for people and wider social issues. Those formative years taught me how systems-level leadership could, at best, transform lives and communities and, at worst, leap boldly into solutions that misunderstand how people, organizations, and communities operate best. I worked hard to inspire my students to dream big, and in the process, I found myself deeply inspired by their resilience and determination.

This experience, combined with my background in politics, ignited a fascination with leadership and systems-level change. I decided to pursue a master’s in education to deepen my knowledge and skills, followed by an MBA to explore how these principles applied to the business world.

After completing my MBA, I made the jump into consulting, spending four years with McKinsey & Company in London. There, I worked at the intersection of organizational and people topics, partnering with clients the government, social, and private sectors while leading talent-focused initiatives and serving as a research fellow with the McKinsey Global Institute. It was a thrilling and challenging chapter, one that allowed me to confront big problems alongside brilliant colleagues.

Over time, however, I realized something important: I wanted to do work that centered more on the human elements of leadership. I also wanted to live a full and rounded life myself. The pace and travel and lack of control over my schedule didn’t feel sustainable, and I knew I wanted something different. That’s when I discovered ghSMART. A conversation with someone at the firm left me energized about the work and culture here, and I haven’t looked back since.

A Day in My Life at ghSMART

Today, my work centers on leadership assessment, organizational development, and executive coaching, primarily in private equity-backed businesses and large corporates. I work with a team of talented, goodhearted colleagues to help boards, investors, and CEOs make their most important leadership decisions and support management teams to collaborate more effectively to achieve their goals.

The work is deeply impactful and highly personal – both in terms of who we serve and the colleagues I work with along the way. It’s a combination that keeps me engaged and inspired.

In addition to my work with private sector clients, I’m fortunate to dedicate part of my time to social sector projects. Supporting nonprofit and government leaders has been incredibly fulfilling. It’s a way to transfer the unique work we do – at the intersection of strategy and human behavior – to organizations and causes I care deeply about. Whether it’s helping a nonprofit refine its leadership structure or guiding a new leader through a critical hiring decision, these projects allow me to connect my work to a broader purpose.

The Freedom to Lead My Career

One of the things I appreciate most is being able to guide my own ship at ghSMART. Freedom and flexibility are deeply embedded cultural values and provide for an unparalleled level of control in our working environment. I choose the types of work I take on, the clients and colleagues I partner with, and how I balance my professional and personal life.

This autonomy has been life changing. I’ve taken full parental leave without worry, stepped back when family emergencies arose, and dialed up my workload when desired. It’s empowering to have the freedom to make choices that align with my life while honoring my clients’ needs. This balance has not only made me a better professional but also a more present and fulfilled individual.

The flexibility extends beyond just scheduling. At ghSMART, I’m encouraged to explore areas that spark my curiosity and align with my strengths. Whether it’s diving deeper into leadership assessment methodologies or taking on new types of client challenges, I’ve been able to continually grow and evolve in my role with the generous support of colleagues turned friends.

Building Deep Connections with Clients

One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is the personal nature of the client relationships. At ghSMART, we center everything on the individual. I love taking the time to explore someone’s history, understand their challenges, and help them unlock their potential – even when it means delivering tough feedback.

That approach creates bonds that go far beyond the surface. Helping leaders navigate their growth and decisions is deeply fulfilling, and I value the trust we build together. I’ve had the privilege of being alongside clients as they tackle career-defining moments, and those shared journeys have left a lasting impact on me as well.

The depth of these relationships is a testament to the culture at ghSMART. We’re not just problem-solvers; we’re partners in our clients’ success. This emphasis on trust and collaboration is what makes the work so meaningful and enduring.

Looking Ahead

As I reflect on the past five years, I’m excited about what lies ahead. The firm is at an incredible inflection point, with so much potential to grow and evolve while staying true to our core. Being part of that journey has been inspiring, and I’m eager to contribute to our continued success.

Personally, I’m looking forward to deepening my expertise, building new client relationships, and exploring innovative ways to amplify our impact – while also adding baby #2 to our growing family this spring! I’m grateful to be part of a team that encourages ambition and high caliber work while valuing perspective and balance.  

The opportunities at ghSMART are boundless, and the need for competent, courageous leadership ever-growing. I’m excited to see where the next five years will take us.

Maggie's full bio can be found here.