James Schulte, based in Chicago, is a consultant in Egon Zehnder’s Industrial Practice Group, with a special focus on the energy transition. He brings an interdisciplinary approach to helping executives, companies, and boards solve increasingly complex strategic leadership problems. With extensive experience across industries and functions, he brings a unique blend of analytical rigor and people-centered leadership. A former investor, he is also active in the firm's private capital and infrastructure practices.
As much as we focus on technology, economics, and business models, people are the heart of the energy transition. I love helping these individuals and teams reach their full potential to unlock growth and innovation.
Before joining Egon Zehnder, James held key leadership roles in global consulting firms, utilities, and investment firms. He served as Partner and CFO at the Ad Hoc Group, advising high-growth energy companies on business development, regulatory, talent strategy, and securing capital. Previously, he was a partner and operating partner at Sunfox Capital, a growth equity fund. His expertise in the utility and power sectors stems from his leadership roles in policy and strategy at ComEd and as part of Exelon/Constellation Energy’s Corporate Strategy, Innovation & Sustainability leadership team. Earlier in his career, James worked as managing director at Energy Impact Partners, where he established and led the firm’s strategic and platform functions, and at McKinsey in the firm’s Electric Power & Natural Gas practice.
James holds a JD from the University of Chicago Law School (High Honors), an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business (High Honors), and a BA in History from Yale University (cum laude). He is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and has served in several civic and non-profit leadership roles in the region. He is a father of two and, outside of work, enjoys cooking with his wife, hosting family and friends, learning Stoic philosophy and mindfulness, exploring the arts, and following his beloved Chicago Blackhawks.
