Catch new episodes by subscribing to Beyond the Bio on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you may listen.
Born into a military family, Mike Garstka, a partner in our London office and former managing partner of our UK and Ireland office, moved around frequently in his childhood. At an early age he learned to observe, analyze, and understand different cultures before forming his own point of view – a skill that would later serve him well in his leadership roles.
Earning a scholarship from the Air Force ROTC, Mike spent his time at Georgetown University and Howard University studying International Relations before serving 6 years in the Air Force. After spending some time in Germany during the fall of the Berlin Wall, Mike chose to shift his journey and continue his education at MIT Sloan, earning his Master of Science in Management. He joined Bain soon after as a consultant and worked in a few offices including London, Singapore and Tokyo.
Throughout his career, Mike has become passionate about apprenticeship and being a servant leader. Formerly our UK and Ireland managing partner, Mike has learned that there are more leadership opportunities than just being on the frontlines serving our clients. Helping the next generation of Bainies be successful has been the most rewarding part of his time at the firm.
Today, Mike is a leader in various practice areas at Bain, including Telecommunications, Media, and Technology, as well as Energy & Natural Resources and Strategy. He also serves as the chairman of Proxima, a consulting firm focused on supply chain and procurement that recently joined the Bain family. With a passion for apprenticeship and investing in the next generation, Mike's leadership journey is a testament to the success that can come from embracing diverse experiences and fostering mentorship.
