Spotlight on Independent Consultant: Dr. Ayesha Ahmed
Spotlight on Independent Consultant: Dr. Ayesha Ahmed
Dr. Ayesha Ahmed is an a-connect consultant who combines first-hand clinical experience with deep strategic expertise. With a background that spans practicing medicine, global healthcare innovation, and top-tier consulting, Ayesha now helps clients in the healthcare and life sciences sector navigate complex transformations with clarity and impact.
We wanted to learn more about Ayesha and how she helps clients, so we asked her a few questions:
Ayesha:
“I’m a medical doctor by training, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. After a few years in clinical medicine, I wanted to find a way to make a broader impact across healthcare systems, so I joined a global healthcare scale-up focused on improving access to care.
That experience inspired me to pursue an MBA at INSEAD, after which I joined McKinsey in London, working mainly in the Life Sciences and Private Equity practice. I was honored to be awarded the UK’s Global Talent Visa for my work in healthcare technologies. Today, I continue to work in the Healthcare and Life Sciences sector as an Independent Consultant.”
Ayesha:
“I really enjoyed my time at McKinsey, it was a steep learning curve and an incredible experience. But after three years, I found myself wanting to move into more hands-on, implementation-focused work.
In consulting you often jump from project to project, sometimes spending as little as two weeks with a client. Independent consulting offers something different: the ability to build longer-term relationships and stay involved as changes take shape. I value being closer to the actual execution and impact of my work.”
Ayesha:
“It’s the sense of agency you have as a consultant. With a-connect, I can really tailor how I deliver a study: the process, the cadence, the ways of working. That flexibility allows me to adapt my approach to each client’s unique needs, rather than following a fixed, one size fits all in-house style.”
Ayesha:
“One project that stands out was with a large global pharma client undergoing both a structural transformation and an evolution of their medical affairs department.
I had already been working with them for several months when these changes really started to take shape. Being there as a steady presence throughout that period of flux was reassuring to the client. I was able to help maintain momentum on key initiatives and provide consistent guidance when things felt uncertain.
That experience really reinforced for me why longer-term engagement matters, you can sustain impact and offer meaningful steer when clients need it most.”
Ayesha:
“I’ve always been interested in writing. Over the past year or so, I’ve started submitting my work to newspapers and magazines under an alias. It’s possible someone’s read one of my articles without knowing it was me.
At one point, I was the top-read author on a major online publication. I’ve been building a following on social media as well, and I’m hoping to focus more on writing this year. It’s a completely different creative outlet from consulting, but one I really enjoy.”
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