Est. Reading: 5 minutes
07/24

Navigating Challenges and Championing Diversity: The Journey of Jess Liew, CEO at Intriq

Principal Consultant, Strategy & Value Creation
Principal Consultant, Strategy & Value Creation
Leading the Strategy Division at The Consultancy Group I am lucky to partner with fantastic businesses embarking on strategic initiatives. I always enjoy exploring the challenges and roadmaps faced by our clients to acknowledge where best I can share my network and add value.

Jess Liew’s career journey is a powerful story of resilience, ambition, and pioneering change in the traditionally male-dominated fields of finance and technology. From her initial steps in the financial sector to founding Intriq AI, Jess’s path is marked by her determination to break barriers and foster diversity.

Defying Expectations: From Silicon Valley to Investment Banking 

Growing up in California with a father working in Silicon Valley, Jess Liew was naturally inclined towards numbers and logic. However, her decision to pursue finance over engineering was as much about forging her own path as it was about her innate talent. “My dad suggested engineering, so naturally, I chose finance,” Jess recalls with a laugh. “I wanted to find my own way, and finance felt like the right challenge.”

Early Career: Baptism by Fire

Jess’s entry into the professional world began at FTI Consulting, where she quickly found herself in high-stakes situations. “They threw me into the deep end,” she reflects. “I was a year or two out of college, attending management meetings and handling client interactions.” This intense exposure helped her develop a robust skill set but also introduced her to the harsh realities of restructuring, particularly during the Thomas Cook administration.

“I was part of the team that had to go out to an airport in Belfast to let go of the entire crew when Thomas Cook was going under. It was incredibly tough,” Jess shares. “That experience made me realise the importance of empathy in business and solidified my resolve to lead with compassion.”

Breaking New Ground in Private Equity

After moving to the UK, Jess joined AlixPartners, where she transitioned from restructuring to working with enterprise improvement on various private equity value creation projects. Her work with Parques Reunidos, a private equity-owned leisure park asset during COVID-19, was a turning point. “Managing business plans amid the chaos of the pandemic sparked my interest in private equity,” Jess explains. “It was challenging but gratifying to help the company navigate such turbulent times.”

Jess’s desire to work closer with client growth strategies led her to join Aurelius, a private equity firm. Despite the excitement, her experience at Aurelius highlighted significant cultural challenges. Being the first female hire in a team of over 100 men, Jess faced an environment that was not always supportive or inclusive. “I didn’t realise I was the first female hire until my first day on the job,” she recalls. “The gender imbalance was stark, but it also motivated me to pave the way for other women in the industry. This experience taught me resilience and the importance of pushing for diversity.”

Founding Intriq AI: From Challenge to Opportunity

Jess’s experiences in private equity revealed a critical gap: many businesses were so focused on operations that they lost sight of strategic direction. This insight led to the creation of Intriq AI, a data diagnostics tool aimed at improving business profitability through AI-driven insights.

“We saw a need for better strategic focus,” Jess explains. “Intriq AI plugs into ERP systems to extract financial and operational data, generating actionable insights and value levers to boost profitability. We aim to help businesses understand where they can optimise operations and increase profitability.”

One of Intriq’s key focuses is on the hospitality sector. “We initially looked at businesses with multiple locations because they generate a lot of internal data,” Jess says. “For instance, we analyse P&L statements to identify discrepancies between locations and provide insights on labour optimisation and NPS scores.”

Navigating the Cultural Landscape

One of the most significant challenges Jess faced was the stark cultural differences in her workplaces. At Aurelius, she encountered a predominantly male environment with little support for gender diversity.

Jess emphasises the importance of cultural fit in choosing a workplace. “In hindsight, I realised that culture is just as important as the work itself,” she says. “I loved the work at Aurelius, but the experience underscored the need for a supportive and inclusive environment, which is something I am passionate about building at Intriq.”

Championing Diversity and Inclusion

Determined to create a different culture at Intriq, Jess places a strong emphasis on gender diversity and inclusion. “It’s crucial to interview as many women as men,” she asserts. “We need diverse perspectives to drive innovation and create a supportive work environment.”

Jess’s commitment to building a supportive and proactive team is evident in her hiring practices. “I’m proud to say that our team at Intriq is diverse and inclusive,” she notes. “Our interns, developers, and co-founders all bring unique perspectives and skills to the table. It’s about creating a culture where everyone feels valued and heard.”

The Power of Mentorship and Support

Mentorship has played a pivotal role in Jess’s career. She highlights the importance of having advisors who provide guidance and support. “We have two advisors, one on the tech side and one on the commercial side, who have been instrumental in our success,” Jess says. “Their experience and networks have opened doors for us and provided invaluable support.”

This mentorship extends to her own team, where she fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment. “I want our interns and team members to feel like they’re on the same playing field as us,” Jess emphasises. “Their input is as valuable as that of the co-founders. It’s about building a team where everyone’s voice matters.”

Looking Ahead: The Future of Intriq

As Jess continues to lead Intriq, her vision is clear: leveraging technology to drive strategic value while maintaining a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. Her experiences have shaped her approach, emphasising the need for a supportive culture and a clear strategic direction.

Jess believes that AI and data analytics will play a crucial role in transforming industries. “We’re at an inflexion point where data management and AI solutions can disrupt every industry,” she says. “Intriq is positioned to lead this transformation by helping businesses leverage their data for strategic advantage.”

Advice for Aspiring Leaders

Jess’s journey offers valuable lessons for aspiring leaders. She advises, “Look at opportunities through the lens of what’s best for you and what aligns with your values, rather than what society views as being prestigious.” This perspective has guided her through various challenges and successes, leading to the creation of a company that reflects her values and vision.

She also stresses the importance of resilience and learning from every experience. “Every challenge is a learning opportunity,” Jess says. “Don’t be afraid to take risks and make mistakes. They’re part of the journey to success.”

Conclusion

Jess Liew’s story from finance to founding Intriq illustrates the impact of determination and the drive to make a meaningful difference in business. Aspiring leaders, particularly women, can draw inspiration from Jess’s experiences as they navigate their own paths in the competitive fields of finance and technology.

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