As much as Kearney partner Nora Kleinewillinghoefer enjoys wearing the fashion brands that are so crucial to her career as one of Kearney’s leading advisors to fashion, luxury, and retail, her focus is ultimately on the people behind those great brands. “I love the idea of making someone more successful by bringing new skills, ideas, and help in a challenging time,” she says. “The most rewarding part of my job is helping others succeed.”

“Of course, the industry matters greatly to me too,” Nora continues. “There’s a German expression, ‘Kleider machen Leute,’ which means ‘The clothes make the person.’ A large part of how we express ourselves is through what we wear, so I love working in this industry. Any company can make a shirt, but what differentiates brands is how they connect emotionally with people and moments. It’s what makes this industry so unique.”

Nora joined Kearney in 2011 after almost a decade in industry. Over that time, she served in the Royal Canadian Navy as a Reservist, where she was a Lieutenant (Navy). “I pursued my MBA from Queen’s University as I wanted to explore new options after working in marketing and operations roles for years,” she notes. “Once I was introduced to consulting, I fell in love with the idea of solving problems for a living. Kearney’s people were very authentic and down to earth, and the firm has been a constant partner in shaping my career based on my individual needs over the years.”

Nora’s time in industry helped to make her a highly effective consultant. “I understand the perspective of an operator and the pressures of what it takes to run a company. I also have an appreciation for what clients are going through and how the recommendations we make may affect them,” she states. “I love moving things forward with iconic brands and being part of the shifts that move the needle in their next chapters.”

While clients come first for Nora, she is very active in firm-building activities, with a strong commitment to people care and development as well as mentorship. She also makes many contributions to the firm’s idea generation as well as innovation and is a frequent media contributor.

Nora and her husband have two young children. The family enjoys all sorts of outdoor activities near their Vancouver home, including biking, hiking, yoga, and skiing. Nora also has a deep passion for ancient history, strategic gaming, and all things culinary.