The consulting industry is still largely male-dominated. Recent data show that only 37.2% of all business consultants are women, while 62.8% are men. But that isn’t the case at Propeller. Almost two-thirds of our employees are women, and women comprise over 50% of our leadership team.
In 2012, Amy Weeden co-founded Propeller with a vision to create a business consulting firm that is culturally exceptional and focused on client and community needs. As a certified woman-owned business, Propeller has built a diverse and inclusive culture, which helps to provide creative and long-lasting solutions to clients.
Propeller is highlighting the wisdom and leadership acumen of its talented women to celebrate Women's History Month.
# Leadership Insights from Propeller’s Female Leaders
Leadership is not just about titles but about a deep commitment to empowering others, fostering trust, and embodying values that drive success. These women inspire others to lead with authenticity, resilience, and an unwavering dedication to excellence.
# Amy Weeden, Propeller Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer
“We need to remove fear of failing and do this by normalizing hard conversations where mistakes — and how we learned from them — are freely discussed. We grow through failure and iteration. Leaders must model and encourage what they’d like to see in their people. This creates an environment of trust where people have the freedom to aim high without fear.”
# Allison Torpey, Denver Managing Director
“People don’t do business with companies; they do business with people. Relationships are built on trust and, as a leader, trust goes both ways. You need to be able to inspire it, but you also need to cede it, giving your employees and colleagues the freedom to do good work. Trust is the new competitive advantage.”
# Jess Brown, Senior Director of People Strategy
“Organizations need to have clearly articulated values that create a sense of shared purpose. These can’t just be hung up on a wall somewhere either. They need to be reflected in how work gets done and prioritized, how leaders behave and communicate, and what gets celebrated and valued. By merging words with action, you create a more durable, authentic culture that inspires folks to do their best work.”
# Maura Koehler-Hanlon, Portland Managing Director.
“My leadership approach is rooted in service orientation and the pursuit of collective excellence. Service orientation involves a deep commitment to doing what's best for people and the business. Collective excellence is about recognizing that we thrive as a team when we have a clear, shared objective and leverage everyone’s individual strengths to achieve it. I believe our collective strength is maximized through collaboration and mutual support.”
These insights from Propeller's women in leadership serve as a testament to the influential impact of female leadership in driving positive change and shaping the future of work. As we celebrate Women's History Month, let's honor the contributions of these remarkable leaders and continue to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
To learn more about Propeller and their commitment to empowering women in leadership, visit our DEI page.
