Interactive Speaker

Rich Lesser is the Global Chair of Boston Consulting Group (BCG). He previously served as BCG's CEO from 2013-2021, a period of exceptional growth for the firm across all regions and practice areas. During his tenure as CEO, Rich oversaw the launch of BCG Digital Ventures, a builder and accelerator of digital businesses; BCG GAMMA, a cutting-edge advanced analytics, machine-learning and AI team; BCG TURN, a rapid performance acceleration unit; and the BCG Center for Climate & Sustainability. As CEO, Rich initiated BCG's pledge to reach net zero climate impact by 2030.

Rich currently serves as chief advisor to the World Economic Forum’s Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, as co-chair of the Council for Inclusive Capitalism, on the board of directors of the Centre for Public Impact, and is a member of several leading organizations, such as the WEF’s Community of Chairpersons, the EDISON Alliance, Southern Communities Initiative, among others. He previously served on the Business Roundtable board of directors and WEF's International Business Council. He accelerated BCG’s strong investments in social impact through its long-standing partnerships, including the World Food Programme, Save the Children, and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), along with many global health and environment initiatives.

Rich served as BCG’s chairman for North and South America from 2009 to 2012 and as head of the New York Metro office system from 2000 to 2009. Prior to joining BCG in 1988, Rich worked in product development at Procter & Gamble. He received an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BSE in chemical engineering from the University of Michigan College of Engineering, where he now serves on the Leadership Advisory Board.