From her early days as an intern to her return after a transformative experience in the startup world, Claire Negiar's career journey reflects her adaptability and growth. Discover how her time outside Oliver Wyman shaped her perspective and the new skills and experience she brings back to the firm.
Tell us about your career journey and your return to Oliver Wyman.
I started at Oliver Wyman as an intern in 2013 and joined full-time in 2014, primarily working in our financial services practice in New York. In 2021, I left to join a startup in Latin America, where I leveraged my financial services knowledge to build a new fintech business unit within a real estate-focused startup. My role evolved into fundraising, where I helped raise their Series C round and secured debt for lending activities. I was the right-hand person for the president and CEO, learning the metrics that venture firms look for and creating impactful investor pitches. This experience pushed me to adapt my consulting skills to a more dynamic environment.
What did your experience outside of Oliver Wyman teach you?
My time at the startup was invaluable. I gained a deeper understanding of client needs, especially when they say a presentation slide isn’t operationally helpful. I realized that while I had a solid grasp of credit risk and underwriting, I sometimes lacked the detailed knowledge necessary for practical application. Now, when I create slides, I ask myself if they would be useful from the client's perspective, ensuring that my work is actionable and relevant.
What have you learned from a client relations perspective?
I learned the importance of empathizing with clients and understanding what truly adds value to them. This shift in focus has made me a better advisor, as I now prioritize the human side of consulting. Additionally, I’ve adopted a more relaxed approach to details. Working under pressure during fundraising taught me to maintain perspective and manage stress better, allowing me to navigate tense situations with greater ease.
How did Oliver Wyman’s entrepreneurial spirit help prepare you for your move into the startup world?
Before leaving Oliver Wyman, I was involved in building our South American business, which felt like a startup within the firm. Now, I help develop the sports and entertainment platform and focus on areas within Financial Services like regional banking, where we still have room for growth. The entrepreneurial spirit at Oliver Wyman fosters a sense of freedom to explore new opportunities, which has been instrumental in my journey.
What’s a new skill or method you learned that you have implemented back at Oliver Wyman?
At the startup, I embraced a "fail fast and be scrappy" mentality. I learned that you don’t need to invest heavily before validating an idea. This approach has taught me to be more resourceful and to pursue opportunities with conviction once I have evidence of their potential. I brought this mindset back to Oliver Wyman, encouraging a culture of experimentation and agility in our projects.
This page was originally published on April 3, 2025.