Keith Bevans

How did you end up working at Bain? 

I grew up around electronics and computers, and by the time I got to MIT I’d already had three internships at Bell Labs. Partway through grad school, I realized I liked being around people and part of the decision-making more than engineering itself, which pointed me toward an MBA. 

I met a Bain alum at a National Society of Black Engineers conference, then Adrian King at the National Black MBA conference, who told me more about the firm. I didn’t apply anywhere else. When Bain gave me an offer, my search was done. 

What has guided your career here? 

An 18-month candy company case taught me I could do this job. From there, I kept gravitating toward work that let me develop people, not just solve problems. I enjoyed coaching my teams, and there was nothing better than seeing my consultants get into business school or make partner. That eventually pulled me into leading consultant recruiting, a role built around exactly the kind of coaching and process work I already loved. 

Why do you continue to stay at Bain? 

Bain gives you just a little more than you can comfortably handle at every level, and that keeps things interesting. I’ve had the same close relationships for close to three decades because of our home office model. And Bain has never made me choose between client work and the things I’m passionate about outside it, like photography and travel.