In this episode, we explore how management consultancy firms can better support employees navigating parenthood and returning from parental leave. What are companies doing to retain returning parents — and what actually works in practice? 

We’re joined by two guests with very different experiences: one who transitioned back into consulting after parental leave, and one who chose to resign within a year of returning. Together, they reflect on what support made a real difference and what is missing.  We’ll also debate what additional efforts consulting firms could make to ease the transition back to work and everyday life, and what it really takes to support family expansion in a high performance industry. 

Presentation of guests: 

• Host: Emily Christensen, Nordic Sustainability 
• Rebekka R Gunnarsdottir, Senior Manager, EY
• Hildur María Hólmarsdóttir, Environmental Sustainability Business Partner, Falck (Previous Senior Consultant, Rambøll Management Consulting)
• Julie Carøe, Midwife and Founder, Sammen Med Jer

 
This episode is a must-listen for leaders, HR professionals, and anyone shaping the future of consulting. Let’s reimagine what it means to support parents—not just during leave, but all the way through their return. 

 
Summary
How do we make coming back from parental leave feel less like a cliff edge and more like a soft landing? In this inspiring episode of Voices of Consulting, we dive into the real-life stories of two consultants navigating the return to work after becoming parents.

Hildur María Hólmarsdóttir (Falck) and Rebekka R Gunnarsdottir (EY) open up about the support they needed, what worked—and what didn’t. Together with host Emily Christensen, they explore how consulting firms can create truly family-friendly cultures, with flexibility, empathy, and structure at the core.
 

This episode examines a popular initiative for promoting gender balance within the consulting industry: internal women’s networks. 
While our previous episode focused on external women’s networks, this time we turn the spotlight inward to explore how to build and sustain successful internal networks. 

These networks play a vital role in fostering connections among female colleagues, but they can also risk implying that the responsibility for addressing gender disparities lies solely with women themselves. 

Join the conversation as we discuss how these networks can be effectively structured and function within the workplace. 

To provide insights, we’ve gathered four panelists with extensive in-house consulting experience from Accenture, KPMG, EY, and Implement. They share their perspectives on the current and future relevance of internal networks, along with best practices and lessons learned for making the most of them. 

Presentation of guests: 

• Michelle Venge, Devoteam (host) 
• Arianne Nolan, Accenture 
• Henrik Horn Andersen, Implement 
• KPMG: Anuska 
• Lone Flohr, EY 

Your network is your net worth!

In this episode, Beyond the Office: The Power of External Networks, we explore how external professional networks can support and advance women’s careers.

We dive into the value of external networks, how they differ from internal company initiatives, and whether women-only networks bring something distinct to the table. You'll also get practical tips on how to find a network that fits—and how to make those connections truly meaningful.

Joining us to share their experiences and insights are four inspiring network leaders:

• Barbara Myhre Isaksen (Connected Women in AI)
• Mathilde Nærland (SEED Network)
• Ifeoma Okpala Aina (Professional Women of Colour Denmark)
• Arianne Nolan (Female Leadership Academy)

Together, we’ll discuss:

• The real value and purpose of professional networks for women
• What external networks can offer that internal ones may not
• How to identify the right network for your goals and values
• How to get the most out of your membership
• And whether female-only networks offer unique advantages compared to mixed groups

Hosted by: Benedicte Hejgaard