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Shelley Stewart III

Senior Partner, and Global Leader, Reputation & EngagementNew York

Advises companies on strategy and growth-led transformations; guides organizations to build a more inclusive, dynamic economy; leads McKinsey’s Global Reputation & Engagement Function

Shelley is a senior partner with McKinsey’s Growth, Marketing & Sales Practice, serving clients across a range of sectors including private capital; advanced industries; and telecommunications, media, and technology. In addition to his client service, Shelley is Global Leader of Reputation & Engagement (R&E) and Chair of the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility, a think-and-do tank focused on catalyzing cross-sector action to build a more inclusive, dynamic economy.

As leader of R&E, Shelley oversees global marketing, communications, publishing, and reputation at McKinsey, focusing on increasing awareness of the firm’s impact and capabilities and engaging with clients and stakeholders across diverse industries in over 65 countries.

A thought leader, Forbes contributor, and frequent public speaker at global events—including the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting and the Black Economic Forum—he uses his voice on topics vital to businesses, economies, and people, striving for a future marked by sustainable, inclusive growth.

In 2024, Shelley was named one of Bloomberg Businessweek’s Ones to Watch in investing. In 2023, he was selected as Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, named a Notable Black Leader by Crain’s New York Business in 2022, and recognized as one of the Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America by SAVOY Magazine.

Shelley is a member of the Economic Club of New York and is on the board of directors of the Brooklyn Community Foundation. Previously, he served on the board of directors of the National Black MBA Association.

Before joining McKinsey, Shelley worked in the financial-services industry. He held a variety of roles at an investment banking firm, and subsequently cofounded a private investment firm. Shelley has a BA in economics from Boston College, an MBA from Columbia University, an MPA from Harvard University, and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of New Haven.

Published work

Mapping the road to prosperity and parity for Black and Latino residents across America,” McKinsey & Company, March 2024

The state of Black residents: The relevance of place to racial equity and outcomes, McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility, February 2024

Impacts of climate change on Black populations in the United States,” McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility, November 2023

A guide to investing in Black economic mobility,” McKinsey & Company, March 2023

A guide to impact investing in Black economic mobility, McKinsey & Company, February 2023

Unlocking the full potential in fashion for Black consumers,” McKinsey & Company, January 2023

Investing in—and with—Black consumers in financial services,” McKinsey & Company, September 2022

Rules of the road: Equitably serving Black automotive consumers,” McKinsey & Company, August 2022

Expand diversity among your suppliers—and add value to your organization,” McKinsey & Company, May 2022

Closing the racial wealth gap by investing in Black consumers,” McKinsey & Company, April 2022

Serving the Black consumer is a $300 billion opportunity,” McKinsey & Company, December, 2021

A $300 billion opportunity: Serving the emerging Black American consumer,” McKinsey Quarterly, August 2021

How HBCUs can accelerate Black economic mobility,” McKinsey & Company, July 30, 2021

Here's how to propel 2 million Black Americans to the middle class,” CNN Business, June 2021

The economic state of Black America: What is and what could be, McKinsey Global Institute, June 2021

The case for inclusive growth,” McKinsey & Company, April 2021

The McKinsey Podcast: Investing in Black economic mobility,” McKinsey & Company, February 2021

America 2021: The opportunity to advance racial equity,” McKinsey & Company, February 2021

It’s time for a new approach to racial equity,” McKinsey & Company, December 2020

Building supportive ecosystems for Black-owned US businesses,” McKinsey & Company, October 2020

COVID-19’s effect on minority-owned small businesses in the United States,” McKinsey & Company, May 2020

COVID-19: Investing in black lives and livelihoods,” McKinsey & Company, April 2020

The case for accelerating financial inclusion in black communities,” McKinsey & Company, February 2020

The future of work in black America,” McKinsey & Company, October 2019

The economic impact of closing the racial wealth gap,” McKinsey & Company, August 2019

Automation and the future of the African American workforce,” McKinsey & Company, November 2018

Education

Columbia University
MBA, finance and management

Harvard University
MPA, political economy

Boston College
BA, economics