Connecting women and celebrating culture as a member of Black at Bain
Connecting women and celebrating culture as a member of Black at Bain
A consultant reflects on career growth, community, and building spaces where women can thrive
Briana Neal, a consultant in our Atlanta office, has grown from intern to consultant while staying grounded in the communities that shaped her. In this reflection, she shares how mentorship, affinity groups, and her passion for connecting women have influenced her journey, and why celebrating culture and milestones along the way matters just as much as professional success.
There will always be something that we are pushing ourselves towards, but taking a moment to appreciate each milestone is what makes our journey complete.
Briana Neal
Consultant
What has your journey at Bain been like so far?
I’d always been drawn to problem-solving and understanding how the world works through a business lens. After visiting several consulting companies, as a college freshman, I applied for an internship at Bain. Since then, my journey at the company has progressed – I have grown from an intern to a consultant.
My time at Bain shaped me both personally and professionally. Mentors and coaches played a big role in helping me grow into who I am today. They’ve sharpened my judgment and confidence, helped me to think more clearly, communicate more crisply, and lead with presence. I love the default toward excellence—having direct feedback frequently, adhering to high standards, and showing genuine care for others. Bain has also given me something more personal: a sense of belonging to a community. Peers from the Black at Bain and Women at Bain affinity groups, and mentors across the company, supported me at every step of my journey.
How has community influenced your path?
Understanding the power of community and mutual support is what drove me to co-found Her Circle, a social network for women, with Chloë Ahle.
So many women thrive on paper but crave something deeper than surface-level networking. With Her Circle, we created a space where women can meet in person, grow, and support each other in a way that feels intentional and authentic. We host a range of brand-building and networking events, partner with non-profits, and simply spend time together during reconnecting meetings.
Chicago Black at Bain colleagues at 2022 Holiday Kick-off
Briana Neal with Bain Chicago 2018 interns
What inspires you outside of work?
On a personal side, I absolutely love music. I think this interest stems from my grandfather, a retired pastor. He sings a lot and plays multiple instruments. He is someone who never stops learning and always pushes me to do the same. As a little girl, I used to listen as he played and developed a true passion for storytelling through music. Today, when new music drops, I actively listen to top album releases and singles across genres, curating and sharing my top 10 songs and projects with friends and on social media as a personal creative outlet.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month, for me, is both a time for reverence and reflection. It is a moment to honour those who made space for people like me. It's also time to celebrate the excellence and joy of Black community across the world. This heritage month serves as a reminder that progress in inclusion doesn't happen by accident. It comes from people who have courage, who are not afraid to sacrifice and strongly lean on the community as a driving force to push things forward.
Briana Neal with Her Circle Co-Founder, Chloë Ahle
Briana Neal skydiving
What advice would you share with others?
One piece of advice I would like to share with everyone: “Take time to reflect on all that you have grown into. There will always be something that we are pushing ourselves towards, but taking a moment to appreciate each milestone is what makes our journey complete.”
Ready to build your career at Bain?
Explore how you'll grow, belong, and make an impact from day one.
