Influential Woman · Manufacturing Consulting

Kelly Flack

Manager, Alvarez & Marsal

Pensacola, FL

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida Degree A&M's PEPI Professional Training Program Cert Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt

Her Story

About Kelly

I studied electrical engineering at university and found myself working on an interesting project for a local factory owned by General Electric. I very quickly realized I liked the industrial engineering aspect that came with my education to date, and kind of pivoted after graduating into more of an industrial engineering role. I worked for General Electric for about 5 years in a couple of their leadership programs, so I bounced around all across their supply chain operations and really established the foundation that enabled me to take the next step in my career into management consulting, where I've really used that knowledge to help my current clients. My work varies between operational due diligence, buy-side assessments for performance improvement opportunities, or implementation of performance improvements. Today, I'm with a client where I have designed their factory, and I'm now actively project managing the execution and build-out of that factory, while also supporting the operational maturity and growth that they need to scale their business.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Kelly

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to a strong family foundation and the ability I learned in the first few years of my career on when it's appropriate to say no and how to say no. Having that strong support system at home has been crucial, and learning early on how to set boundaries and communicate effectively when I can't take something on has been equally important to my professional growth.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I've ever received is that it's not personal. Decisions and phrases said are never truly, or very rarely truly or ever about you, the person. It's more about the situation and the setting, and what's happening in other people's lives. It's really important sometimes, especially in conflict, that you remember that it's not about you, the person, it's about the problem at hand. This perspective has helped me navigate difficult situations and keep focus on solving problems rather than taking things personally.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

If you're in the room, you earned it to be in the room, you should use it. Don't doubt yourself or hold back. You've earned your place at the table, so speak up and contribute. Your perspective and voice matter, and you should never be afraid to use them.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

AI enablement is the next big thing in management consulting. Fact and data are becoming more and more rapidly available, which leads us back into focusing on the softer side of human leadership. I think it's going to be a really big challenge over the next 5 years to start introducing AI to consulting. The technology is advancing quickly, but the real opportunity and challenge will be balancing that technological capability with the human elements of leadership and client relationships.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

My say-do ratio is kind of my guiding light, so I try to hold myself accountable to have that as one-to-one. If I say I'm going to do it, I do it. And if I'm not able to do it, I at least communicate back why and how it didn't get completed and some other options. That's my rule of thumb - maintaining integrity between what I commit to and what I actually deliver, and being transparent when circumstances change.

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