Sabine Spittler is a seasoned Partner and Managing Director at Kearney, which she joined in 2014. Since joining the firm, she has developed extensive expertise in digital transformation. Equipped with a solid academic background, Sabine holds a Master’s degree in International Management from WHU—Otto Beisheim School of Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Law from EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht.
Her career at Kearney has been fast-paced, reflecting her capabilities and dedication. She began as an associate and quickly got involved in various projects across multiple sectors. However, it was her focus on digital transformation that defined her path. She now leads initiatives to enable comprehensive digital transformations for clients as the Global Lead of the Customer & Growth business within Kearney’s Digital & Analytics practice. This encompasses developing digital strategies, realizing future-proof business models, and optimizing operational frameworks to enhance client engagement and growth.
Berlin-based Sabine has been at the forefront of changing the game in Kearney’s Digital & Analytics practice by co-designing a new operating model that can help double the business over the next three years. Leadership like hers reinvigorates old relationships and creates new opportunities by positioning Kearney as a pivot for navigating digital evolution intricacies.
Sabine comes in with a great client understanding of the needs, driving growth through data insights that ensure sustainability. She works directly with clients, mostly in the consumer goods industry—beauty, manufacturing, and electronics—in the transition toward a consumer-centric model, creating seamless and effective transitions for her clients.
Sabine is considered one of the 2025 Women Leaders in Consulting. The qualities of a modern, innovative leader committed to strategic consulting and digital transformation initiatives mark her. As such, the journey of the aspiring professional will be inspired to work in this industry.
Let’s gain a comprehensive understanding of her professional journey.
Sabine’s Career Journey
Sabine’s career journey has blended curiosity, perseverance, and a passion for creating meaningful impact. After completing her academic studies, she joined the consulting industry to tackle intricate business challenges and explore diverse sectors. Early on, she realized the immense potential of customer-centric strategies in driving business success. Over the years, she sought roles that allowed her to deepen her expertise in this area, eventually leading to the global leadership role for their ‘Customer & Growth’ business in Kearney’s Digital & Analytics practice.
“I’ve been privileged to work alongside brilliant colleagues and lead transformative initiatives for clients, especially in Europe & Americas,” says Sabine. Today, as a Partner and Managing Director, she is proud to help shape the firm’s global Customer & Growth business, focusing on tech-enabled business transformations that drive value in an ever-changing world.
Kearney’s Global Customer & Growth Business in this Digital Transformation Era
Sabine highlights, “The digital transformation era offers unprecedented opportunities to redefine how businesses engage with their customers and grow sustainably.” What excites her most is the chance to help organizations harness this potential while steering the intricate ties of a fast-growing sector. The convergence of data, technology, and human insights allows them to co-create innovative and deeply personal solutions.
“At Kearney, we focus on helping businesses achieve growth that’s not just scalable but also purposeful,” says Sabine. Being at the forefront of this transformation while cultivating collaboration and innovation is inspiring and rewarding.
Sabine’s Take on Role of AI Automation
She highlights, “AI and automation are transformative forces that require organizations to rethink their operating models.” Sabine’s approach begins with getting the foundations right—ensuring robust master data management, scalable technology infrastructure, and integration capabilities. Equally important is setting up safe governance frameworks, which include ethical principles, regulatory compliance, and clear guidelines for AI usage.
These provide the guardrails for responsible innovation. Once these elements are in place, they empower teams by upskilling them to complement technological advancements. Organizations can harness AI and automation to drive sustainable growth and resilience by combining solid foundations, ethical governance, and human-centric strategies.
Cultivating Empathy and Collaboration to Drive Innovation and Growth within Teams
Sabine states, “Empathy and collaboration are essential for building a culture where creativity and innovation thrive.” She encourages open dialogue and active listening, ensuring every team member feels valued and heard. By creating a safe space for diverse perspectives, one can collectively address challenges from multiple angles, leading to more innovative solutions. Additionally, she invested in nurturing talent through mentorship and providing opportunities for professional growth. Empowering teams to take ownership of their work and cultivating mutual trust allows them to achieve remarkable results together.
Significantly, she extends this approach to her work with clients, helping them nurture empathetic and collaborative cultures within their organizations. This drives innovation and creates environments where individuals and teams can excel, which is essential in this competitive field.
Adapting to Tech Advancements and Evolving Consumer Expectations
Staying informed requires a commitment to continuous learning. Sabine regularly engages with industry thought leaders, attends conferences and explores emerging trends. Leveraging Kearney’s extensive knowledge network and collaborating with her clients also provide invaluable insights. Beyond that, she is deeply curious by nature, which drives her to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and seek out diverse perspectives. This agility allows her to adapt quickly and make informed decisions in an ever-changing world.
Nurturing Empowerment and Inspiration
Empowering teams begins with setting a clear vision and aligning everyone around shared goals. Sabine strives to create an environment where individuals feel supported to take risks, innovate, and learn from failures. Recognizing and celebrating achievements—big or small—is also critical to maintaining motivation.
Furthermore, she prioritizes transparency and continuous feedback, enabling teams to stay agile and focused on delivering impactful results. By cultivating a culture of accountability and trust, we can overcome challenges and exceed expectations.
Balancing Professional Demands with Personal Well-being and Interests
Balancing professional and personal responsibilities requires intentionality and discipline. Sabine prioritizes activities that recharge her, such as spending quality time with her family, pursuing hobbies, or simply reflecting. As a mom of two young boys (1 and 2), she learned to set boundaries and delegate effectively, ensuring she is present at work and at home.
Additionally, she is a firm believer in leading by example and promoting a culture where well-being is not just encouraged but celebrated. She is better equipped to inspire and support others by taking care of herself.
Guidance for Aspiring Leaders
Sabine advises aspiring leaders, “First, embrace curiosity and a growth mindset—never stop learning and challenging yourself.” Second, “prioritize building meaningful relationships, as collaboration and empathy are key to driving impactful change. Lastly, stay true to your values and purpose.” The consulting space can be demanding but maintaining authenticity and focusing on the “why” behind your work will help you create lasting value for clients and teams.
Strategic Goals for Advancing Kearney’s Customer & Growth Business Area
Sabine’s primary goal is to position Kearney as the leading partner for organizations seeking to unlock growth through customer-centric strategies and commercial excellence. This involves expanding their capabilities in digital transformation, advanced analytics, and purpose-driven growth. To achieve this, they will continue investing in top talent, cultivating innovation, and deepening client relationships. By staying ahead of industry trends and co-creating solutions with their clients, they aim to deliver measurable and meaningful impact in the years to come.
Curiosity-Driven Decision-Making
Curiosity is at the heart of Sabine’s approach to problem-solving and decision-making. It drives her to dig deeper, explore alternative perspectives, and remain open to new ideas. When faced with intricate challenges, she approaches them with a sense of wonder and possibility, asking “what if” and “how might we.” This mindset helps identify innovative solutions and nurtures a culture of exploration within her teams. Curiosity enables us to push boundaries and achieve outcomes that might otherwise seem unattainable.
