Monica Okusa, based in New York, is a consultant in Egon Zehnder’s consumer practice group. Her experience spans established global brands and high-growth, founder-led companies, giving her a broad perspective on leadership across different organizational models. Monica combines business insight, curiosity, and empathy in her client work. Fluent in English and Japanese, she brings a global perspective shaped by her diverse professional experience.
I’ve always been drawn to understanding people — what drives them, how they lead, and the impact they have on others. It’s incredibly meaningful and energizing to be able to do that work every day.
Monica began her career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs in Tokyo, advising private capital clients on cross-border M&A transactions, and later broadened her experience within the firm's Human Capital Management division. After earning her MBA at Harvard Business School, she built her career in the consumer sector, spending five years at The Estée Lauder Companies in marketing roles across prestige brands including La Mer, Estée Lauder, and Clinique. She later served as SVP of Growth and Marketing and General Manager at Evereden, expanding the brand’s reach as a fast-growing clean beauty company focused on family skincare and the Gen Alpha consumer. She then helped build the brand and go-to-market strategy for Wyn Beauty, an early-stage beauty company.
Monica holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Commerce from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia. Outside of work, she enjoys swimming laps and relaxing with a good book.
