35UNDER THE RISING STARS OF THE
PROFESSION
AGE
34
TITLE:
Co-Founder and Partner
AWARD CATEGORY:
Leadership
RACHEL
HALONEN MARANO
PIVOT POINT CONSULTING
Rachel
Halonen
Marano
says she is incredibly proud of
two major accomplishments thus
far in her career. “The first is
starting Pivot Point Consulting
and growing it into a highly
successful company,” she says.
“We continue to surpass our
growth goals year after year, and
we expect that trend to continue.”
Indeed, as a co-founder and Part-
ner of the firm she has helped guide
it from just two employees to more
than 60 today. Earlier this year, Pivot
Point Consulting was recognized as
one of Consulting magazine’s Seven
Small Jewels.
Her other proud accomplishment?
Marano has been on the Greater
Chicago Chapter HIMSS board
since 2006 and has served several
functions, including President.
“It’s very gratifying to know
that the work I do is important and
helping to change healthcare operations and how patient care is
delivered,” she says.
She believes her success is rooted
in some fairly simple, yet pragmatic,
advice she received from a mentor
years ago: ‘Always remember that
all you have to sell is your reputa-
tion. Build strong relationships with
everyone that you meet. Always ex-
ceed expectations for your employ-
ees, clients and co-workers. Most
important of all, believe in your
dream and never, ever give up.’
“I am honored to be recognized as
one of the Rising Stars of the Pro-
fession. This award underscores the
value of the important work we do as
consultants,” she says.
“It tells our consultants and our
clients that we are serious about our
profession and dedicated to continued growth.” ★
AGE
30
Although
he’s still
more
than 30 years from retirement,
Aon Hewitt’s Matt Maloney’s
expertise on the subject is
unquestioned as leader of
one of the firm’s three largest
Retirement Consulting Offices
and the youngest partner in its
Retirement practice.
His team of 90 colleagues deliv-
ers actuarial, investment and plan
administration services to a wide
range of clients. And get results:
Maloney’s personal client portfo-
lio has grown every year since he
joined Aon Hewitt in 2005, includ-
ing 20 percent a year for the past
three years.
Maloney is big on relationships,
and his clients notice. He and his
team are consistently given the
highest possible ratings in client
satisfaction— 10 out of 10.
“The feedback that we receive
directly from the clients that I
serve is the greatest marker for
success in this business and having consistently “referencable” clients that rate our work a “Perfect
10” on satisfaction reviews is truly
gratifying,” he says.
As with so many of our young
winners, mentors played a pivotal
role in Maloney’s early success.
“I can trace back every positive
aspect of the work that I do to the
sage advice that I received on my
first day at Aon Hewitt. I was lucky
to be hired to an office with some
truly top-notch consultants, not just
for our firm but in the field.”
“Winning this award means be-
ing recognized by my peers in an
increasingly competitive business
that is rivaling finance and banking
for our nation’s brightest minds.” ★
Partner
AWARD CATEGORY:
Leadership
MALONEY
AON HEWITT
