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Harry Robinson

Senior PartnerSouthern California

Leads holistic, large-scale transformations and provides strategic and operations counsel to basic materials, mining, and energy companies worldwide

Harry is a senior partner in McKinsey’s Southern California office, who brings deep expertise in helping organizations unlock rapid, transformational improvements in performance, organizational health, and capabilities. While he serves organizations across a range of industries, he focuses mainly on the global energy and materials (GEM) space, working extensively with large multinational mining institutions. He has served clients in 20 countries across six continents, with nearly 80 percent of his client activity occurring outside of the United States.

Harry has held multiple leadership roles during his 26-year career. He currently leads McKinsey’s Transformation Practice globally and has been instrumental in building the firm’s RTS Practice over the past decade. Harry also leads the client committee of McKinsey’s Shareholders Council (our global governance board). Previously, he led the GEM and basic materials sectors globally and was the managing partner of the Los Angeles office.

Aside from a short-term posting to Seoul during the late 90s, Harry has been based in Los Angeles since starting with McKinsey in 1994, and he has worked extensively across Europe and Asia. His client base outside of mining includes oil companies; engineering, procurement, and construction firms; entertainment companies, and private-equity firms.

Harry formerly served as the Vice Chair of USC Shoah Foundation. In this role, he led the effort to sharpen and implement the organization’s worldwide educational mission.

Video

Why do most transformations fail? A conversation with Harry Robinson,” McKinsey & Company, July 2019

Published work

Freeport-McMoRan turns data into value,” McKinsey & Company, June 2023

Regulatory efficiency will be essential for the energy transition,” McKinsey & Company, June 2023

Inside a mining company’s AI transformation,” McKinsey & Company, February 2020

How technology is reshaping supply and demand for natural resources,” McKinsey Global Institute, February 2017

Is there hidden treasure in the mining industry?,” McKinsey & Company, November 2015

Reverse the Curse: Maximizing the potential of resource-driven economies,” McKinsey & Company, December 2013

Past experience

Boston Consulting Group

Education

Harvard Law School
JD

Yale University
BA, mathematics and economics

Activities & Interests

USC Shoah Foundation
Former vice chair