KPMG LLP's Claudia Saran Named to Consulting Magazine's 2011 Women Leaders in Consulting List

Claudia Saran, leader of KPMG LLP's People & Change services, has been named to Consulting magazine's 2011 list of Women Leaders in Consulting, the U.S. audit, tax, and advisory firm announced today. Saran was recognized in the "Client Service" category and was one of only ten women honored overall.

Saran has more than 20 years' experience in consulting, and prior to her Advisory role at KPMG held leadership positions at several global management-consulting organizations. Working with clients in a variety of industries and geographies, she has led engagements in the areas of Organizational and Cultural Transformation, Change Management, Organization Design, Human Resource Function Optimization, and Leadership/Talent Management.

Lynne Doughtie, KPMG vice chair – Advisory, said, "Claudia represents the best of KPMG. In helping many of the world's leading organizations address core cultural and human capital issues, Claudia is at the forefront of one of the fastest growing and most strategically important areas we're seeing in the marketplace. Her accomplishments speak for themselves and she is well deserving of this distinguished honor."

Saran is a frequent speaker, appearing before organizations such as Women Corporate Directors (WCD), the Women's Foodservice Forum, and the Sourcing Interests Group, on topics including Organizational Transformation, Women in Leadership, and Strategic Change Management.

Saran said, "For me, this award reinforces the importance of women leaders as role models. All of this year's award recipients are highly capable women. Understanding that people look to you to set an example, and taking that role to heart, is one of the most important responsibilities of a leader."

KPMG's People & Change practice, launched by Saran in 2009, helps clients address their human capital and organization challenges. Saran is also a member of the Board of Directors of KPMG's U.S. member firm.

A member of KPMG's Women's Advisory Board, Saran serves as a mentor to many at KPMG, ranging from entry-level associates to her partner-level peers. She is also on the board of HFS Chicago Scholars, an organization that works with economically disadvantaged Chicago high school students who show academic and leadership promise. Saran is also a member of the Chicago Economic Club, the Kellogg Executive Women's Network, and the University of Illinois Alumni Association.

A resident of Chicago, Saran, holds an MBA from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, Evanston, Ill., and a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Ill.

About KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm, is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International.") KPMG International's member firms have 138,000 professionals, including more than 7,900 partners, in 150 countries.