Duwain is a partner in McKinsey’s Ohio office, a leader in our Education Practice, and a cofounder and leader of the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility.
Examples of Duwain’s recent client work include the following:
- developing a ten-year university strategic plan and creating the internal infrastructure to execute with fidelity
- facilitating a coalition of private, public, and social sector leaders to improve talent pathways and expand inclusive growth in their region
- implementing a financial and operational transformation for a university
- strategy for a national nonprofit to improve economic mobility in multiple states
Prior to joining McKinsey, Duwain worked for Teach For America as the director of growth, development, and partnerships, where he helped launch Teach For America’s presence in Ohio. He has authored research on improving education outcomes, expanding economic mobility nationally and in Ohio, and preparing for the future of work.
Published work
“Cleveland’s hidden opportunity: How we can accelerate economic progress for thousands of families in Cuyahoga County,” Cleveland Business Journal, February 2025
“700 years to equality. Blacks lag 100s of years behind white when it comes to prosperity,” The Columbus Dispatch, June 2024
“Mapping the road to prosperity and parity for Black and Latino residents across America,” McKinsey & Company, March 2024
The state of Black residents: The relevance of place to racial equity and outcomes, McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility, February 2024
“How business can help Columbus narrow its housing gaps —and be a role model for other U.S. cities,” Columbus Business First, August 2023
“Advancing racial equity in US pre-K–12 education,” McKinsey & Company, July 2023
“Sustainable, inclusive housing growth: A case study on Columbus, Ohio,” McKinsey & Company, July 2023
“Corporate commitments to racial justice: An update,” McKinsey & Company, February 2023
“Racial and ethnic equity in US higher education,” McKinsey & Company, July 2022
“How HBCUs can accelerate Black economic mobility,” McKinsey & Company, July 2021
“COVID-19 crisis pushes US students into an uncertain job market,” McKinsey & Company, July 2021
“Closing the job mobility gap between Black and White Americans,” Harvard Business Review, July 2021
“The future of work in Black America,” McKinsey & Company, October 2019
“Building operational excellence in higher education,” McKinsey & Company, October 2019
“The economic impact of closing the racial wealth gap,” McKinsey & Company, August 2019
“Automation and the future of the African American workforce,” McKinsey & Company, November 2018
Past experience
Teach For America
Director, growth, development, and partnerships
Education
Harvard Business School
MBA, management
Harvard Kennedy School
MPP, business and government policy
Case Western Reserve University
BS, finance
