Sean McKenna

Overview

Sean McKenna is dedicated to helping clients achieve transformation, focusing on clarifying the why, defining the what, determining the how, and ultimately driving impactful action. With a blend of curiosity, compassion, and rigor, Sean thrives in solving ambiguous, complex, and nuanced problems, guiding clients toward both known and emerging future states. He values building trust and credibility with new clients and deepening those relationships over time to become a trusted advisor. Within Pariveda, Sean is passionate about developing others and actively contributing to the firm’s culture and community. He brings resilience, a positive outlook, humor, a commitment to transparency, and a steadfast focus on doing what is right. 

Experience

Throughout his career, Sean’s willingness to embrace new challenges has provided him with a wide range of experiences across roles, industries, geographies, and solution areas. This breadth equips him with a unique perspective on challenges that require innovative, non-formulaic solutions. Sean has served clients in diverse sectors, including FinTech, Financial Services, Biotech, Technology, and Retail, leading various transformations from setting strategic vision to overseeing detailed design and delivery. 

Before joining Pariveda, Sean gained valuable insights working with consulting firms of all sizes across the West Coast and internationally in London, holding local and national leadership roles encompassing commercial, P&L, and people development responsibilities. 

Outside of the office

Outside the office, Sean embraces continuous learning as a homeowner and father to two lively young sons. He eagerly accepts invitations to baseball games, enjoys his mother-in-law’s cooking, and takes pride in planning family trips. Fascinated by human behavior, he satisfies his curiosity by listening to diverse podcasts and audiobooks, exploring topics that fuel his “armchair behavioral economist” interests. 

With family and friends around the world, Sean and his family make frequent use of their passports, relishing the comfort of familiar places and the excitement of new discoveries. 

Education and service

Sean earned a Bachelor of Science in General Management from Purdue University, with minors in Organizational Behavior & Human Resources and International Business. His greatest learnings, however, come from his experiences with colleagues, clients, and friends, as well as his travels and time living abroad. 

He values his involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters and neurodivergent organizations, and he enjoys mentoring and coaching others informally, sharing his insights and encouraging growth.