McKinsey & Company

McKinsey & Company, founded in 1926 by James O. McKinsey, is the consulting firm that executives love to love and critics love to hate. Known for its Ivy League brainiacs and staggering fees, McKinsey has become synonymous with corporate strategy, efficiency and a touch of controversy. Its storied history includes advising companies on everything from layoffs to growth hacks, earning it the moniker "The Firm." With a current valuation rumored to be in the billions, McKinsey's fingerprints are on some of the most significant business transformations and upheavals in history. Defining moments include its role in Enron's collapse, advising Purdue Pharma on turbocharging OxyContin sales, and being linked to the South African corruption scandal. Despite the scandals, McKinsey's reputation for crafting influential, albeit ruthless, strategies remains untarnished in the eyes of its clients. Key figures like Dominic Barton, who led the firm from 2009 to 2018, and Kevin Sneader, who took over amid turbulent times, have both left their controversial marks. McKinsey continues to straddle the line between brilliance and notoriety, proving that in the world of high-stakes consulting, being indispensable often means never having to say you're sorry.