How a PhD in microbiology led to a career in consulting at Bain
How a PhD in microbiology led to a career in consulting at Bain
A senior manager reflects on how her research background shaped her path into transformation consulting
Dorothy Tovar, a senior manager in our San Francisco office, didn't take a conventional route to consulting. After years researching bat immune systems during her PhD, COVID-19 made her rethink how she could create impact. In this Q&A, she reflects on what drove her out of the lab and into Bain.
I wanted to build the skills to help organizations and people navigate complex change, and Bain has given me the opportunity to do just that.
Dorothy Tovar
Senior Manager
What drew you to microbiology research?
From a very young age, I felt a strong conviction to use my mind, my talents, and my resources to meaningfully improve the lives of others. That sense of purpose led me to microbiology. Early in my PhD, I became fascinated by bats' immune systems. These animals can host viruses that severely affect humans yet remain unaffected themselves. I wanted to understand what pathways allowed for that tolerance.
What brought you to Bain?
When COVID-19 emerged, the relevance of my research became real in an urgent and sobering way. I was probably closer than most to the scientific mechanics of what was happening, yet I felt so limited in the impact I could have. I also saw, very clearly, that knowledge on paper is not always enough to create action. It stirred in me a new kind of urgency: to learn how to bring solutions to life beyond the lab.
That's what led me to Bain. It might seem like an unexpected turn, but for me it was a deliberate one. I wanted to build the skills to help organizations and people navigate complex change, and Bain has given me the opportunity to do just that. I now work on transformation and change management cases, helping clients move through ambiguity with clarity and purpose. It requires the same rigor I used in research, but also something more: the ability to guide people, build trust, and create momentum in real time.
Dorothy during her PhD research days, before consulting came calling.
Dorothy at her functional fitness gym; the same discipline she brings to the gym, she brings to work.
What energizes you most about your work?
What energizes me most is developing the capabilities of others. Whether its clients unlocking a better way of working, or mentoring colleagues on their professional journeys, I find meaning in those "aha" moments.
How do you stay grounded outside of work?
Outside of work, one of the most surprising sources of joy in my life has been strength training. I never considered myself an athlete, but I joined a functional fitness gym soon after starting at Bain. I am flipping a 500-pound tire and then walking into the office. More than the physical gains, it's been a mental discipline of learning to show up consistently, even when I don't feel like it. That mindset carries over into my work and how I face challenges.
At the core of everything I do is my faith. As a Christian, I hold a grounding belief that I was created to influence the spaces I'm brought into. That conviction keeps me focused on pursuing excellence, acting with integrity, and serving others with intention.
