Workplace diversity is more than just a buzzword—companies within the top quartile for gender diversity are 15% more likely to outpace their competitors and grow at a rate of 1.5x the standard market.

Study after study demonstrates that everyone benefits from having more women in leadership, and it pays to consider these trends when you’re applying for jobs.

Focusing your search on women-owned businesses positions you for success, and the following firms are promising areas to advance your career.

4 Top-Performing Consulting Firms Owned by Women

Globalization Partners

Sourcing Top Talent Around the World

Here’s a statistic you don’t hear every day: 100% of employees at Globalization Partners say they would recommend the firm to a friend for employment. That’s a powerful endorsement!

Globalization Partners is a Global Employer of Record that helps companies in the U.S. hire and onboard top talent from around the world in more than 150 countries. They eliminate the need to set up branch offices or subsidiaries and simplify regulatory compliance for hiring practices.

CEO Nicole Sahin founded Globalization Partners based on her vision of building a high-growth business that would enable anyone to hire employees anywhere, without the red tape traditionally associated with global expansion. The company has been widely recognized, recently winning an international award for Global Workforce Management Solution Provider of the Year.

“The strong female-led management team strives for a positive and fun place to come to work every day,” one employee says. “They employ the brightest people so that we can help U.S. companies employ the brightest people all over the world.”

With scores of 4.9 out of 5 in prestige and leadership, Globalization Partners is a dynamic learning environment for anyone looking to accelerate their career.  

---

Also read: The Importance of Recruiting and Retaining Women in Business

---

Illume Advising

Illuminating a Bold Energy Future

Sara Conzemius and Anne Dougherty launched Illume Advising in 2013 with the vision of providing “illuminating analytics and bold insights” to clients throughout the U.S. and Canada. The company serves the energy industry, offering end-to-end consulting through cutting-edge social and data-science research services.

It’s a vision that is widely appreciated by staff members who rate the firm 5.0 out of 5.0 for leadership. As one employee says, “I am thankful every day that I get to work with such incredible leaders. I feel I am constantly learning from them, and I am so impressed with their tenacity, their hard work, their intelligence. Besides that, they are super fun, playful and engaged in their communities.”

In a tight labor market, Conzemius and Dougherty know they need to stand out in the recruitment space to attract the best and the brightest. Word-of-mouth drives employee referrals with 100% of survey respondents saying they would recommend the company to a friend. By retaining and attracting top talent, Illume Advising is one of the foremost innovators in the field and a rewarding place to work.

Overall, Illume scores 4.7 out of 5 when current and former employees rate the company culture, prestige, work, leadership, and money.

ProKo Consulting

Unique Business Model Addresses Today’s Career Preferences

Have you dreamed of branching out to start your own consulting business, but don’t want to get tied down with administrative work and expenses? ProKo resolves this dilemma with their business model. They invite top-tier, independent consultants to work on a W-2 basis with industry-leading corporations. ProKo’s low markup lets consultants earn premium rates while maintaining their independent status. And, as a bonus, consultants benefit from the guidance of founder Liz Steblay, who earns a 4.8 out of 5 score among Ivy Exec users for her leadership and vision.

“It’s refreshing, in this day and age, to work for someone who is focused on getting the best for both her clients and her internal team,” one principal employee says.

ProKo partners with capital corporations, including Facebook, Nike, Electronic Arts, and more. If you crave independence within a nurturing leadership framework and have ambitious career goals, ProKo is the place for you.

---

Also read: Life Sciences Consulting Firms to Watch in 2019

---

Dynamic Pro Inc

Driving Innovation Through Diversity

Management consulting can be a challenging and sometimes isolating career. But not at Dynamic Pro Inc (DPI). By fostering a multidisciplinary team, DPI forges long-lasting relationships and delivers value to clients. Founded by CEO Andrea Stone in 2006, DPI is recognized as an outstanding small business and ranks high on the list of women-led employers.

“I love having a boss who is an empowered female,” an employee says in one review. “I also love the camaraderie that exists among my colleagues.”

Although enterprising, DPI respects the need for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Most employees work up to 40 hours a week and rarely travel. The company encourages this approach because they want employees to thrive in their career and perform to their best abilities. DPI also receives a perfect 5.0 rating for diversity—a wide range of experiences, backgrounds, and insights facilitate an environment that’s supportive and pioneering.

Employee reviews show that everyone benefits with visionary leaders, and women-led firms continue to advance the industry. If you’re interested in consulting with one of these top women-owned agencies, learn what you need to do to prepare for an interview in a dynamic new workplace.

---

Looking for More on Women-led Businesses?

Check out our Company Spotlight-Focused Articles.

---