Welcome Pablo Santomá

Pablo Santomá’s path to leadership advisory wasn’t linear – but it was purposeful. His journey has taken him from chemical engineering labs to global consulting teams, with each step guided by a drive to solve complex challenges and make a meaningful impact.

With a rich and varied background that spans engineering, management consulting, and a long-standing interest in people and leadership, Pablo brings a thoughtful, curious, and deeply grounded approach to his work.

For Pablo, the decision to join ghSMART was driven by a strong pull toward the human side of business. “'Solving people’ is much harder than solving strategy or business models,” he says. It’s a challenge he finds both fascinating and fulfilling – one that feels like a natural next step in his professional journey.

From Engineering to Strategy – and Then to People

Pablo’s career began in the lab, working in chemical engineering research shortly after university. He soon transitioned into the oil and gas industry, spending several years as a petroleum engineer immersed in the highly technical world of extraction and energy infrastructure. This was a world of precision, systems, and hard science – an environment that laid a strong foundation for analytical thinking and complex problem-solving.

Looking to broaden his impact, Pablo moved into management consulting, joining Boston Consulting Group. His work spanned a wide range of industries before he gradually honed his focus on the energy sector. Much of his client work centered on helping companies in oil, petrochemicals, and utilities navigate the complex shift toward low-carbon business models. He supported them in launching new ventures from the ground up – crafting strategy, building operating models, developing capabilities, and forging partnerships to scale innovation in areas like green hydrogen, synthetic fuels, and bioenergy.

In parallel, Pablo led multiple organizational redesigns aimed at increasing efficiency through stronger people structures. Over time, these efforts revealed a consistent theme: strategy and operations only go so far if the people part isn’t working.

He also gravitated toward people-centered initiatives inside the firm. Whether recruiting, mentoring, coaching, or facilitating learning programs, he frequently stepped into roles that helped others grow. “It wasn’t part of my core project work – but it was the part I always looked forward to most,” he shares.

It was in these moments – whether coaching a junior team member or helping a client shape a leadership team – that Pablo realized his true passion was not just solving business problems, but helping people thrive within them.

Why ghSMART: It All Comes Down to People

When ghSMART first came into the picture, Pablo was intrigued. He hadn’t heard of the firm before, but the more he learned, the more aligned it felt with his personal and professional aspirations.

What stood out most were the people. From the very first conversations, he encountered a team that struck a rare balance – people who were clearly sharp, driven, and excellent at what they do, but who also carried themselves with a strong sense of perspective.

“They were brilliant, yes – but also grounded. These were people who clearly cared about doing great work, while also living full and intentional lives outside of it,” he says.

That balance – of intensity and sustainability – resonated deeply. As a father of two young children, Pablo has grown increasingly focused on making intentional choices with how he spends his time and energy. He was looking for an environment where personal values, professional growth, and family life didn’t have to be in tension. At ghSMART, he saw a team that lives that balance daily.

The more he engaged with the firm, the more confident he became that it was the right place. “At first, I wondered if I had just met a few exceptional people. But then I attended the full team Summit in Dallas, and every single person I met shared those same values. There was a consistency I didn’t expect – but really appreciated.”

Since joining, his early impressions have only been reinforced. He describes the onboarding experience as fantastic, especially the support system in place – his mentor, buddy, deployment partner, and the broader European team, which he says already feels like a “supportive family.” He’s especially excited to master ghSMART’s assessment process, acknowledging that it’s a learning curve but one he’s eager to climb. “It’s clear that the process is rigorous – but the support around it is just as strong. It’s a great environment to grow.”

Outside the Office: Learning, Family, and Adventure

When he’s not working with clients or connecting with colleagues, Pablo is often immersed in learning. A self-described lifelong learner, he’s currently focused on two areas: becoming a better father and optimizing for a long, healthy life. That curiosity has led him deep into health science, where he explores topics like exercise physiology, nutrition, sleep, and mental well-being.

Pablo also finds joy in activities that challenge him mentally and physically. He’s an avid chess player – squeezing in games online after his kids are asleep – and a dedicated fitness enthusiast who fits in workouts between parenting duties, often using the gym in his building for convenience.

Travel and adventure are a big part of his life, too. He’s visited over 50 countries, with favorites including Japan, Southeast Asia, and Italy. He looks forward to sharing future travel with his children. Outdoors, he’s passionate about mountaineering and scuba diving – having summited peaks like Mont Blanc and Kilimanjaro, and completed over 100 dives around the world.

A Thoughtful Approach to Balance

At the heart of Pablo’s worldview is a commitment to balance – a principle he returns to again and again.

“Life is like a chair with several legs – your work, your partner, your kids, your health, your fun, and so on. If one leg is missing, the chair tips. The goal is to keep it balanced,” he says.

That philosophy guides how he approaches both life and work. Whether he’s learning to be a better parent, helping a client through a complex people challenge, or planning his next high-altitude hike, Pablo brings a thoughtful blend of curiosity, discipline, and empathy to everything he does. We're excited to have him on board.

Learn more about Pablo here.