Rich Lesser
Richard Lesser | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1962 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Known for | Chairman of Boston Consulting Group; former CEO of Boston Consulting Group (2013–2021) |
Richard Lesser (born in 1962) is an American executive currently serving as the chairman of the management consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG). He took on this position in 2021, following his tenure as CEO from 2013 until 2021.
Early life and education
Raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the economically turbulent 1970s caused by the decline of the steel sector, Lesser experienced firsthand the challenges of that era. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he graduated as a Baker Scholar, and earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering with summa cum laude honors from the University of Michigan.
Career
Lesser started his professional journey as a product development engineer at Procter & Gamble. In 1988, he joined BCG as a consultant. He managed BCG’s New York Metro office between 2000 and 2009 and was chairman for both North and South America from 2009 to 2012. Since joining BCG’s executive committee in 2006, he has specialized in strategy, operations, leadership development, and large-scale organizational transformation. Lesser played a key role in maintaining BCG’s stability and growth throughout the 2008 financial crisis.
In May 2012, Lesser succeeded Hans-Paul Bürkner as Global CEO of BCG. During his leadership, the company’s employee base expanded to over 22,000, more than doubling its size, while revenue tripled thanks to strategic expansions into new markets, investments in digital technology, analytics, and innovation initiatives. He led the creation of several new units including BCG Digital Ventures (focused on digital business acceleration), BCG Gamma (dedicated to analytics and machine learning), BCG TURN (specializing in turnaround and restructuring), and established the Center for Climate & Sustainability. Additionally, Lesser launched the Southern Communities Initiative alongside PayPal and Vista Equity Partners to promote racial equity.
In 2021, Lesser was honored as America’s Top CEO by Glassdoor.
Additional Roles
Lesser acts as the principal advisor to the World Economic Forum (WEF) Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders. Previously, he was part of the WEF’s International Business Council and held a position on the Board of Directors of the Business Roundtable, where he also chaired the CEO COVID-19 Task Force.
He played a key role in advancing BCG’s social impact programs by collaborating with entities such as the World Food Programme, Save the Children, and the World Wildlife Fund.
In December 2016, Lesser became a member of a business advisory group established by then president-elect Donald Trump to provide guidance on economic policies; this forum was dissolved in August 2017.
Additionally, Lesser serves on the President's Export Council.
Personal Background
Lesser is married and has three children.