Congratulations to Spaulding Ridge’s Jeff Radtke for being named one of The Consulting Report’s Top Digital Transformation Leaders! Jeff has been with Spaulding Ridge for two years and is a Managing Director and leader in the Private Equity, Global Delivery, and Asia-Pacific Practice. In this interview, he reflects on his journey, how he sees the industry, and what he wants to do next.
My name is Jeff Radtke, and I’m a Managing Director and member of the Executive Leadership team here at Spaulding Ridge. I’ve been in the consulting industry for over thirty years, with large and small firms, startups, and just about everything in between. I’ve also served as COO for a consulting firm similar in size to Spaulding Ridge, which gives me a strong operational perspective.
Here at Spaulding Ridge, my role is quite broad. I provide leadership for our Private Equity capabilities, manage strategic client relationships, and oversee our Global Delivery and Asia Pacific business. It’s a dynamic role that keeps me closely connected to both our clients and internal teams across regions.
I’ve been fortunate throughout my career to work with and learn from so many great people, colleagues, mentors, and clients who’ve challenged and supported me. If anything, this recognition reflects that I’ve taken those lessons to heart. It’s a reminder that I’ve hopefully made a difference, and I’m just very thankful for the opportunities I’ve had along the way.
Spaulding Ridge has constantly pushed me to adapt and evolve. It’s a fast-growing organization, and with that comes a wide variety of challenges, which, as a problem solver, I find exciting. One of the things I really value here is that there’s nothing we won’t try. That mindset creates space for creativity and innovation.
Being part of a young, dynamic firm also means working in an environment of constant change, alongside a driven, ambitious team. On top of that, the diversity of our work, across industries, types of engagements, and global geographies, has helped me stay sharp in an ever-changing landscape.
First, focus on being really great at what you’re asked to do, whether that’s today, this week, or this year. Master the role you’re in before you look to move on to the next thing.
Second, I learned early on that the people who are truly great at what they do often want to teach you. They’re generous with their knowledge and want to see you grow. On the other hand, those who aren’t as confident in their abilities may not be as open. Surround yourself with the people who want to share what they know.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to take risks. Trying and failing is far better than not trying at all. Growth comes from stretching yourself, not from playing it safe.
So, be committed to excellence, stay curious, learn from those around you, and don’t fear failure.
At the heart of any digital transformation is problem solving, and you have to approach it from multiple angles—people, process, and technology, etc. It’s not just about building something technically sound; it’s about understanding how it impacts the people who will use it and how it fits within the broader organization.
You need a broad perspective to ensure everything aligns, from needs to functional fit. That means understanding what each piece is good at and not forcing something to fit where it doesn’t belong.
One question I always challenge myself with is: Can my client still succeed with this solution when I’m no longer in the room? If it’s not sustainable, if it can’t be adopted or grown internally, then it’s not truly valuable. You can build the best technical solution, but if no one can use it or maintain it, it doesn’t solve any real problem. That’s why you should be multidisciplinary and always focus on delivering real, lasting value.
AI and machine learning are at the center of the current hype cycle; there’s a lot of excitement around agents and emerging capabilities. But in practice, what many organizations are truly grappling with is the data challenge. It’s not so much an AI problem as it is a question of, “Do we have the right data, and is it accessible, clean, and reliable enough to feed these technologies?”
Another major trend is the pace of change. Things are moving incredibly fast, and while that creates opportunities, it also introduces risk, especially around security and safety. As AI advances, the potential to unintentionally expose vulnerabilities grows. Alongside innovation, there’s a growing need for governance, control, and a thoughtful approach to data integrity and security.
Ultimately, digital transformation today is being shaped by how well companies can manage their data, keep up with rapid change, and integrate new technology responsibly.
After spending a significant amount of time in this field, one theme has remained constant for me: I want to make a meaningful impact on the people around me, my team, my clients, and the broader community.
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have mentors and colleagues who challenged me, supported me, and helped shape my growth. Looking ahead, my goal is to pay that forward, to be a resource, a guide, and a positive force for those coming up in their careers. If I can help others growth and succeed the way others have done for me, that’s a legacy I’d be proud of.
As a big baseball and hockey fan, not to mention a music lover, I’ve always thought everyone should have their own walk-up song. For me, it would be Around the World by The Red Hot Chili Peppers! Great intro and global message.
Thank you!
