Riding with purpose for the Pan-Mass Challenge
Riding with purpose for the Pan-Mass Challenge
How one teammate found support in the Bain community
Lauren Ullmann, a consultant in our Boston office, turned a personal challenge into a powerful story of resilience and community. Watch to see how her journey embodies Bain’s supportive culture.
From associate consultant to advocate: Lauren's journey
When Lauren first joined Bain as an associate consultant in 2018, she brought with her a drive to make a difference. That same year, she helped found Bain’s Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) team: a group of Bain cyclists dedicated to riding 200 miles across Massachusetts to raise funds for cancer research.
Since then, Bain’s PMC riders have raised more than $1.2 million for lifesaving research, embodying the firm’s spirit of community and shared purpose. But for Lauren, that mission became deeply personal.
In early 2020, after signing up for her third PMC, Lauren was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia and immediately hospitalized for treatment. Suddenly, the ride she’d always done for others became a symbol of her own resilience and hope.
“The first day of my diagnosis, I committed to myself that I would ride the Pan-Mass Challenge again one day.”
Finding strength in the Bain community
Through her diagnosis and recovery, Lauren found strength in Bain’s people-first culture.
“It’s almost unimaginable when I say it out loud that my coworkers are the first people I wanted to tell,” she said. “These are not just my coworkers; these are people who I know would give me the support I needed.”
Bain’s emphasis on support, both professional and personal, meant Lauren never had to face her journey alone. Teammates rallied around her, providing encouragement and flexibility as she focused on her health.
Thousands of riders take on the Pan-Mass Challenge, a 200-mile journey supporting cancer research.
Bain teammates share a high-five during the Pan-Mass Challenge.
A ride that meant more than miles
In 2021, Lauren returned to the Pan-Mass Challenge, riding all 200 miles alongside her Bain colleagues.
“When I crossed the finish line, a teammate told me, ‘Don’t let this moment pass you by,’” she says.
Today, Lauren sees the Pan-Mass Challenge as a celebration of what’s possible when people come together.
“I ride because I can,” she says. “You don’t have to ride 200 miles to do something bigger than yourself. Bain gives you the avenues to explore those things and I think there’s something inspiring about that.”
Bringing purpose to life at Bain
Lauren's story is a reminder that purpose isn't just a value at Bain. It's something our people bring to life in meaningful ways. Whether it's cycling for a cause, volunteering during Community Impact Days, supporting pro bono clients, or leading sustainability initiatives through our Green Teams, Bainies are empowered to make a difference with the support of a community that shows up for them.
