Joanna Lu

How did you end up working at Bain? 

I joined Bain after 25 years in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry. People sometimes ask why I wanted to join Bain after a successful career, and the answer is simple: I joined to fulfill a dream. I want to see the FMCG industry transform faster in the digital era. I want to continue to have conversations with the smartest people in this industry and help them solve difficult problems at scale.  

My last two years at Bain have been exciting. I’ve had the opportunity to work with multiple clients and help them expand their team’s capabilities and grow their company. Bain has a real passion for client results, and that’s great to be a part of. 

What do you think is the future of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG)?  

Society has gone digital and consumer behaviors are fluctuating. It is fundamentally changing how FMCG works. We have to step back and create for consumers, which was always in FMCG’s DNA, but has been neglected. This industry needs to rapidly engage directly with consumers for better insights, more innovation, and more agility across channels.  

What stands out to you about Bain’s culture?  

Bain’s culture is that we’re diverse people who work as one team. My time here is a living example. During my orientation conversations with partners, managers, and consultants, almost everyone said the same thing: be yourself, serve clients, and we’ll help you. And everyone lives up to that promise. Everyone I have worked with has continued to demonstrate that “one Bain” culture.