As she prepares to begin her MBA journey at Stanford University, Consultant Madeleine Welch reflects on her time at L.E.K. From building a passion for MedTech, to swapping to the Tokyo office, to the mentors and moments that shaped her path. We sat down with Madeleine to hear more about her experience and what lies ahead.
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be at L.E.K.?
I’m originally from Reno, Nevada, and I studied international economics at Georgetown University. I joined L.E.K. straight out of undergrad in 2020. To be honest, I didn’t know much about the firm at first—one of my good friends insisted we attend the on-campus recruiting presentation, so I joined. I ended up really enjoying it, particularly the broad industry exposure, international swap program, and nonprofit consulting opportunities, and felt lucky to have the opportunity to apply and ultimately join the team. Since starting at L.E.K., I’ve focused primarily on healthcare and have been officially dedicated to the MedTech practice for the few years.
Congratulations on heading to business school! As you prepare to begin your MBA at Stanford, how did your time at L.E.K.—and the support you received—shape your decision to pursue business school and your future career goals?
Thank you! I feel incredibly fortunate to have received sponsorship from L.E.K. It’s been a meaningful source of both practical and personal support as I take this next step.
When I joined the firm without a healthcare background, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But through exposure to a range of industries, I quickly discovered a real passion for healthcare. Working closely with clients in the MedTech space inspired me to think more seriously about how I could contribute to the field in a more focused way. At the same time, I was fortunate to learn from colleagues who had gone to business school and returned to L.E.K., and their experiences helped me visualize what that path could look like. One former colleague in the MedTech practice, who also attended Stanford, was especially influential and generous with their guidance.
Business school feels like a natural next step to build on what I’ve learned so far. I’m excited to deepen my understanding of the broader healthcare landscape and explore new facets of the industry. Looking ahead, I hope to continue working with innovative medical technologies, with a goal to drive impact in the healthcare space.
You spent time on swap in Tokyo—what was that experience like, and how did it shape your perspective personally and professionally?
Going to Tokyo was an incredible experience—one I had been hoping for, so I was ecstatic when the opportunity came up. Professionally, it was eye-opening to be immersed in Japan’s healthcare system, which operates with very different structures and priorities compared to the U.S. That exposure broadened my perspective and helped me think more globally about healthcare. The Tokyo office itself is a warm, welcoming, and diverse team. Working with such an international group, across cultures and sometimes language barriers, taught me how to collaborate more effectively in global settings. I also had the chance to work with clients spanning multiple geographies, which significantly deepened my understanding of how to navigate complexity in a cross-cultural context. That’s probably where I experienced the most growth—developing a more global mindset, both within my L.E.K. teams and in my approach to client work.
On the personal side, I had an absolute blast. I traveled all over—from a ski trip with the entire Tokyo office in Hokkaido (a definite highlight), to visiting iconic spots like Kyoto and Osaka. One especially memorable adventure was an 80-kilometer bike ride across six or seven islands in southern Japan with an L.E.K. colleague – Ju Ann Wong. Japan truly offers something for everyone, and I feel so lucky to have lived and worked there.
Looking back, what project or moment at L.E.K. are you most proud of?
That’s a big question! But one that comes to mind is a project with a growing MedTech startup we’ve worked with multiple times. Their product extends the life of donated organs so more people can receive transplants. My first project as a consultant—where I was leading a team—was one of these engagements. L.E.K. has really been their key supporting partner as they grow, increase investment, and start to scale. Recently, the company received a national award for innovation, and emailed to thank the L.E.K. team for the partnership, and to convey they had implemented our suggested strategy.
I think that project is a great example of the MedTech team’s effort to support an impactful product and be a key partner in that company’s journey, and working with their kind and collaborative team was a great entry point to the Consultant role. I’m proud to have played even a small role in that.
As you prepare for this next chapter, what advice would you give to someone just starting out at the firm?
Be open-minded. I’ll give a personal anecdote: there was a time when I actually de-requested healthcare projects with staffing due to my inexperience with a seemingly complex field, but they overrode me and put me back on one anyway. Then I ended up dedicating to general healthcare and ultimately to the MedTech team!
So even if you have self-doubt about your experience or ability in a certain area, L.E.K. is the place to explore your interests, turn weaknesses into strengths, and build on those strengths across many projects. Try everything—and keep an open mind.