Consulting Articles > Consulting Firms > Kenway Consulting: Firm Overview, Careers, and Interview Insights
Kenway Consulting is a boutique management and technology consulting firm based in Chicago that helps organizations align business strategy with technological innovation. Known for its collaborative culture and strong ethical foundation, the firm attracts professionals seeking meaningful impact and work-life balance. Whether you’re exploring Kenway Consulting careers or curious about what does Kenway Consulting do, this guide breaks down everything you need to know, from services and industries to salary, culture, and interviews.
TL;DR – What You Need to Know
Kenway Consulting is a boutique management and technology consulting firm that helps businesses achieve growth through ethical leadership, data-driven solutions, and strong client collaboration.
- The firm was founded in 2004 in Chicago and has expanded steadily under values of integrity, respect, and transparency.
- Kenway Consulting’s core services include technology solution delivery, enterprise program leadership, and information insight across multiple industries.
- Professionals exploring Kenway Consulting careers can expect merit-based advancement, mentorship, and exposure to both management and technology projects.
- The interview process includes behavioral, technical, and case interviews that evaluate problem-solving ability, communication, and cultural fit.
- Consultants earn competitive salaries with strong benefits, while enjoying work-life balance and a supportive, value-driven firm culture.
What Is Kenway Consulting and What Does the Firm Do?
Kenway Consulting is a boutique management and technology consulting firm that helps organizations solve complex business problems through strategic, data-driven, and technology-enabled solutions. The firm focuses on doing what’s right for clients and employees, combining technical expertise with integrity and long-term value creation.
Founded in 2004 by Brian King, Kenway Consulting was built around a simple mission: to operate with honesty, quality, and respect in every engagement. The firm’s guiding principle, “We help and are helped,” reflects its belief that success is mutual between clients, consultants, and the community.
Kenway works across both business and IT domains, bridging the gap between strategic planning and technical execution. Its consultants are known for delivering solutions that not only improve efficiency but also align with each client’s broader goals.
The firm’s core value proposition lies in combining deep technology consulting expertise with management advisory capabilities. Clients turn to Kenway for challenges such as optimizing digital transformation, improving program governance, and building data analytics capabilities that support decision-making.
Key aspects of Kenway’s work include:
- Helping companies modernize legacy systems and enhance enterprise architecture
- Guiding large-scale transformation through program leadership and governance
- Enabling better business decisions through data management and analytics
- Ensuring alignment between technology investments and business outcomes
For professionals, Kenway Consulting offers a collaborative environment where consultants can contribute meaningfully to client success while pursuing personal growth and professional development. The firm’s boutique size allows for closer relationships, more autonomy, and greater visibility across projects than at larger firms.
In essence, Kenway Consulting blends strategy, technology, and people-centered values, making it a distinctive player among boutique consulting firms in Chicago and beyond.
The History and Growth of Kenway Consulting
Kenway Consulting was founded in 2004 by Brian King with a vision to build a firm rooted in integrity, transparency, and respect. His goal was to create a consulting environment where doing what’s right would always come before profit or hierarchy.
From its beginnings in Chicago, the firm has steadily grown by staying true to this principle. What started as a small local consultancy has evolved into a respected boutique firm recognized for its expertise in technology and management consulting.
Over the years, Kenway has achieved notable milestones:
- Leadership transition: In 2020, Matt Kueker succeeded Brian King as CEO after serving as Managing Director since 2018. King remains involved as a board member and office lead.
- Geographic expansion: The firm opened its Scottsdale, Arizona office in 2019 to better serve clients in the western United States.
- Recognition and awards: Kenway has consistently appeared on “Best Places to Work” and “Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” lists, highlighting its employee-first culture.
Kenway’s growth reflects a focus on long-term relationships and quality delivery rather than rapid scaling. The firm continues to serve a range of industries by combining technology enablement with thoughtful management practices.
Its leadership maintains a strong commitment to the founding philosophy help clients succeed through ethical, sustainable consulting that puts people at the center of every decision.
What Are Kenway Consulting’s Core Practice Areas and Services?
Kenway Consulting’s core practice areas span technology solution delivery, enterprise program leadership, and information insight. The firm combines technical depth with strategic vision to help organizations improve performance, strengthen governance, and make better data-driven decisions.
Each practice area plays a distinct role in the firm’s client engagements:
1. Technology Solution Delivery: This practice helps clients plan, design, and implement custom technology solutions that align with business goals. Typical work includes:
- IT strategy and architecture
- Software development and integration
- Enterprise applications and solutions
2. Enterprise Program Leadership: Kenway consultants guide organizations through large-scale transformation programs. They focus on improving project delivery, governance, and organizational alignment through:
- Program and project management
- Change management initiatives
- IT governance and PMO enablement
3. Information Insight: This area helps clients turn raw data into actionable intelligence. Services include:
- Data governance and data quality improvement
- Business intelligence and analytics
- Performance dashboards and metrics tracking
Kenway’s integrated approach ensures that strategy and execution stay connected from planning to implementation. Consultants work alongside client teams to create scalable systems that reduce inefficiencies and enhance decision-making capabilities.
For professionals exploring Kenway Consulting careers, understanding these practice areas is key to identifying which skill sets technical, analytical, or managerial best align with their expertise.
Which Industries Does Kenway Consulting Serve?
Kenway Consulting serves clients across several industries, focusing on sectors where technology and business strategy intersect. The firm tailors its consulting approach to each industry’s specific challenges, helping clients enhance efficiency, manage risk, and modernize operations.
Key industries include:
- Financial Services: Supporting banks and insurers with digital transformation, compliance, and data governance projects.
- Healthcare: Helping providers and life sciences companies implement analytics and process optimization for patient care and operations.
- Telecommunications: Assisting telecom companies in managing data, improving customer experience, and optimizing network operations.
- B2B and Distribution: Enabling better sales tracking, customer analytics, and supply chain efficiency.
Kenway’s expertise in technology consulting and management consulting allows it to design scalable solutions that integrate IT strategy, data management, and change leadership. The firm’s industry work reflects its ability to adapt methodologies across diverse business environments while maintaining its people-first approach.
Students and professionals exploring the Kenway Consulting internship often gain exposure to projects in these sectors, learning how business and technology come together to solve complex problems.
Inside Kenway Consulting Careers and Professional Development
Kenway Consulting careers offer professionals the opportunity to work on both management and technology projects while growing through merit-based advancement. The firm emphasizes professional development, ethical leadership, and flexibility in shaping one’s career path.
Employees typically begin as consultants and can advance through engagement manager, director, and managing director roles. Career growth is determined by performance, not tenure, giving high achievers the chance to progress quickly.
Kenway provides multiple avenues for development:
- Mentorship and coaching: Each consultant works with senior mentors to receive career guidance.
- Training programs: Employees access structured training in project management, analytics, and leadership.
- Skill diversification: Consultants are encouraged to explore both technical and strategic projects to build holistic expertise.
The firm’s size allows for personalized growth plans and direct access to leadership. This close-knit environment gives consultants greater visibility and responsibility early in their careers.
For those seeking purpose-driven consulting work, Kenway Consulting careers provide a balance of challenge, autonomy, and community that appeals to both entry-level analysts and experienced professionals.
What Is the Kenway Consulting Interview Process Like?
The Kenway Consulting interview process evaluates both technical capability and cultural fit through a structured, multi-stage approach. Candidates can expect behavioral, technical, and case interviews that test analytical thinking, communication skills, and alignment with the firm’s values.
Most applicants begin with a recruiter screening interview, followed by rounds with consultants and firm leaders. Each step aims to assess how candidates think, solve problems, and collaborate in a professional setting.
Typical stages include:
- Initial screening: A short phone or video call to discuss background, motivation, and interest in consulting.
- Behavioral interview: Questions exploring past experiences, teamwork, and leadership qualities.
- Technical or case interview: Problem-solving assessments related to business strategy, data, or technology.
- Final round: Longer interviews with senior leadership focusing on fit, communication, and critical thinking.
The firm also uses personality or aptitude assessments to better understand candidate strengths. To succeed, applicants should practice consulting case interviews, review Kenway Consulting’s core values, and prepare examples that demonstrate both technical and interpersonal skills.
How Much Do Consultants Earn at Kenway Consulting?
Consultants at Kenway Consulting earn competitive compensation that reflects performance and experience level. The average base salary is around $125,000 per year, with bonus potential of approximately $15,000 to $20,000 depending on project success and individual contribution.
Entry-level consultants generally start near the lower end of the range, while engagement managers and directors earn significantly higher total packages. The firm also offers strong retirement benefits, including a 25% employer contribution to a SEP-IRA plan, which is uncommon among boutique consulting firms.
In addition to salary, Kenway provides:
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
- Paid time off and flexible work arrangements
- Merit-based bonuses tied to individual and company performance
Kenway’s compensation philosophy emphasizes fairness and transparency. Promotions and pay increases are determined solely by merit, aligning with the firm’s broader values of honesty, accountability, and respect.
For candidates researching Kenway Consulting salary expectations, the firm’s pay structure is designed to reward excellence, autonomy, and long-term contribution offering strong incentives for both personal and professional growth.
What Is It Like Working at Kenway Consulting?
Working at Kenway Consulting means joining a people-centered firm that prioritizes work-life balance, ethical leadership, and transparent communication. The firm’s culture emphasizes mutual respect, personal accountability, and a belief that success comes from helping both clients and colleagues succeed.
Kenway’s workplace model is unique among consulting firms. At the beginning of each year, employees select how many hours per week they want to work, allowing flexibility and balance tailored to individual lifestyles. Meeting these agreed-upon targets ensures full compensation, making the system both fair and empowering.
Employees frequently highlight the firm’s entrepreneurial environment, where initiative and performance drive advancement rather than tenure. Consultants have direct access to leadership, the opportunity to shape client engagements, and a strong sense of ownership in their work.
Core elements of Kenway’s culture include:
- A collaborative, trust-based atmosphere that encourages open dialogue
- A focus on ethical decision-making and transparency with clients
- Empowerment through autonomy, mentorship, and professional growth opportunities
Those exploring Kenway Consulting careers find a workplace that values integrity, inclusion, and balance as much as performance. For professionals seeking purpose-driven consulting work, Kenway offers a supportive environment where your voice and impact truly matter.
Career Growth and Exit Opportunities After Kenway Consulting
Kenway Consulting offers strong long-term career growth supported by its merit-based promotion system and diverse project exposure. Consultants develop a mix of strategic, analytical, and technical skills that open doors to leadership roles within and beyond the firm.
Because Kenway’s consultants work closely with client executives, many transition into client organizations after several years. Others advance internally to director or managing director positions, leveraging their experience to shape firm strategy and mentor junior consultants.
Common exit opportunities include:
- Leadership roles at client companies in technology, finance, or healthcare
- Management positions in IT strategy or data analytics
- Transitions to other consulting or software development firms
- Entrepreneurship and independent advisory work
Kenway’s alumni network remains active, with many former consultants maintaining professional connections across industries. The firm’s focus on autonomy and accountability helps its people build a strong foundation for future success.
For professionals seeking sustainable career development, Kenway provides the right mix of challenge, skill-building, and visibility to prepare for meaningful next steps in or outside consulting.
Kenway Consulting Offices and Global Presence
Kenway Consulting operates primarily from its headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, with a second office in Scottsdale, Arizona. These two locations support clients across the United States, allowing the firm to serve a diverse mix of industries while maintaining a close-knit, boutique culture.
The Chicago headquarters is located near Lake Michigan, offering proximity to major corporate clients and access to a vibrant consulting network. The Scottsdale office, opened in 2019, provides strategic coverage of the western region and offers a more relaxed lifestyle environment that complements the firm’s emphasis on balance and flexibility.
While Kenway remains a U.S.-based firm, its projects often extend to national and global clients, especially in financial services, healthcare, and technology. The firm’s consultants frequently collaborate remotely across offices, reflecting its adaptive and people-focused work model.
For professionals exploring Kenway Consulting careers, choosing between Chicago and Scottsdale depends on individual lifestyle preferences urban energy or outdoor tranquility both supported by the same ethical and collaborative culture.
Kenway Consulting Internship and Early Talent Programs
The Kenway Consulting internship gives students and early professionals hands-on experience in technology and management consulting. Interns work directly with consultants on real client projects, gaining exposure to data analysis, IT strategy, and project management within a collaborative environment.
Interns are typically assigned to cross-functional teams where they can observe and contribute to client problem-solving efforts. The experience emphasizes both professional skill development and cultural fit, helping participants determine whether full-time consulting is right for them.
Key features of the program include:
- Exposure to live consulting projects and client interaction
- Mentorship from senior consultants and engagement managers
- Learning sessions focused on technology enablement and business communication
- Competitive pay and flexible work arrangements
Kenway recruits interns primarily through university partnerships and online applications, often targeting schools near its Chicago and Scottsdale offices. Strong analytical skills, curiosity, and teamwork are key selection criteria.
For students exploring the Kenway Consulting internship, the program offers a genuine preview of consulting life at a boutique firm where learning, collaboration, and personal growth take priority over hierarchy.
Awards, Recognition, and Industry Reputation
Kenway Consulting has earned multiple awards for its workplace culture, growth, and commitment to employee well-being. The firm has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Chicago and one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For several years in a row, reflecting its consistent focus on people and values.
These accolades highlight Kenway’s ability to maintain excellence while remaining a boutique consulting firm. The firm’s leadership emphasizes that recognition stems from its dedication to ethics, transparency, and long-term client partnerships rather than marketing or rapid expansion.
In addition to workplace honors, Kenway is respected across the consulting industry for its thoughtful, technology-driven approach to solving business challenges. Its reputation for integrity and client trust distinguishes it in a competitive field.
Kenway’s standing continues to attract professionals who seek meaningful work, supportive leadership, and a culture built on respect and collaboration key factors that sustain its industry reputation year after year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who owns Kenway Consulting?
A: Kenway Consulting is privately owned by its founder and CEO, Brian King. Under his leadership, the boutique consulting firm continues to grow as one of the respected Chicago consulting firms focused on ethics, transparency, and client success.
Q: What is Kenway Consulting's approach to problem-solving?
A: Kenway Consulting’s approach to problem-solving centers on aligning business strategy with technology consulting. The firm emphasizes collaboration, data-driven insights, and customized solutions that help organizations achieve measurable results.
Q: How does Kenway Consulting stay innovative?
A: Kenway Consulting stays innovative by integrating emerging technologies and agile methodologies into its management consulting services. The firm fosters continuous learning and professional development to ensure clients benefit from forward-thinking solutions.
Q: What are Kenway Consulting's core values?
A: Kenway Consulting’s core values Integrity, Quality, and Value, guide its work with clients and employees alike. These principles shape the firm’s consulting culture and support a healthy work-life balance in consulting careers.
Q: What is the revenue of Kenway Consulting?
A: Kenway Consulting’s revenue is not publicly disclosed, as the firm is privately held. However, it has maintained steady growth driven by expanding client relationships and a strong reputation within management and technology consulting.