Propeller, a management consultancy for leading organizations in retail, technology, healthcare, energy and utilities, and the public sector is pleased to announce the promotion of Bryan Rogers to Vice President of Growth.
“Bryan’s promotion is well-deserved,” said Sunil Kasturi, CEO at Propeller. “Bryan has consistently demonstrated the dedication and vision needed for growth at Propeller and built our San Francisco office into the thriving market it is today. His innovative mindset will be key in driving the future growth of Propeller.”
In this pivotal role, Bryan will oversee service offerings, emerging markets, go-to-market strategy, client engagement, and the brand and marketing function. As Propeller continues to expand, this role serves to look forward and begin building capabilities that will help the firm grow in the next three to five years.
Rogers joined Propeller as a consultant in Portland in 2015 before moving to San Francisco to support the growth of the Bay Area offices. Rogers became the managing director of San Francisco in 2021 and has consistently demonstrated his aptitude in client relationship management, retail and technology expertise, and strategic growth. He was a critical force in developing the San Francisco office into Propeller’s second-largest market.
Bryan is known for his ability to jump into a new situation, quickly adapt to its unique demands, and take a strong leadership role to get things accomplished. He’s been known to keep two sticky notes on his monitor to remind him daily what’s important. One says “clarity,” the other “act,” and together, they go a long way toward describing what makes Bryan successful as a leader.
We sat down with Bryan to learn more about his path at Propeller to VP of Growth, his vision for Propeller, and what he’s most excited to tackle in this role.
# 1. What’s your favorite ethos and why?
It's always tough to pick a favorite, but the one that resonates most with me is “Drive Forward.” The work we do for our clients is never a simple, easy path to success. We work with clients on some of their biggest challenges, and that always brings a level of complexity that leads them to partner with a consulting firm. There isn’t a map and instruction manual for these challenges. So, to succeed in this ambiguous environment, we must always be focused on what we can move forward, whether small or big. Everything adds up to help drive these transformational initiatives forward, which doesn’t happen overnight and requires continuously looking for what we can be driving forward to keep the momentum going.
# 2. What are you most excited about in your new role? What are your expectations for yourself?
I’m excited to spend time talking with clients about their strategic priorities and discuss the ever-evolving technological advancements transforming their industries. I’m also looking forward to supporting our teams in our emerging markets as we continue to expand our geographic footprint and establish Propeller’s brand by leveraging industry expertise to forge new partnerships.
# 3. What’s your approach to leadership? How do you motivate and inspire?
As leaders, it’s critical for us to articulate a vision, be clear about what success looks like, set a high bar for expectations, and then get out of the way. When people have the keys to understanding how their work connects to the big picture and feel supported in getting there, they can deliver their best work. I see the leader’s role in helping to connect those dots and making sure that I am offering my help wherever it is needed while also encouraging every opportunity for individual growth.
# 4. What’s one important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
The value of making mistakes and (more importantly) learning from them is a lesson that I continue to try and embrace. It’s something that terrified me early in my career — the idea of failing at anything and that a mistake would be career-ending. But over time, I’ve realized that the best things I’ve learned have come through making the wrong decision, paying attention to the wrong thing, or assuming something (anything, really). These are things that you can only learn through your own mistakes. The most important part of that, though, is to pause and ask, “Why did that happen? What could I have done differently?” after making a mistake. I think that takes a certain level of intellectual honesty and humility that, again, I’m still striving for. But when you can uncover those learnings, or get someone else to help you see what you did wrong, it only makes you better for the future.
# 5. What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I love getting out of the city and exploring California every chance that I get. Whether it’s backpacking in the Sierra, hiking in Big Sur, craning my neck to look up at a grove of redwoods, or wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley, I love getting outside and appreciating the natural beauty this state offers.
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