Jake Varra
Manager

TRADITIONAL BIO
After studying Management Information Systems and Business IT at The University of Alabama, Jake started his career as a consultant at EY where he worked closely with business leaders to help define their digital strategies and implement large-scale business transformations.
Jake’s professional background spans several industries – health & life sciences, manufacturing, media & entertainment, and energy – and has focused on the intersection of business strategy and emerging technologies. Jake has spent significant time in digital transformation working in roles oriented around product management, customer experience design, change management, and organizational design.
Jake is passionate about building meaningful relationships with colleagues and clients, driving innovation, and identifying opportunities to elevate organizational performance. Outside of work, Jake enjoys cooking, being outdoors, and spending time with his family.

Futuristic, Ideation, Analytical, Significance, Focus

Extraversion, Intuition, Thinking, Judging (ENTJ)
THOUGHTFUL BIO
“I’ll give you a shot, but only if you can keep up.”
That was how the ski coach responded when I asked to be a part of the ski team – way before I was ready. I was just learning how to ski, and a spot had opened up on the Big Mountain team. At the time, I could hardly get down the mountain. That day, I pushed myself far out of my comfort zone (tumbling down the mountain many times), but somehow, I was able to “keep up.” By the end of the day, I was a much better skier. By the end of the month, I was skiing at pace with my teammates. By the end of the season, I was qualified to participate in competitions.
That experience helped me become a competitive skier. More importantly, it shaped the way that I approach many challenges in life. I learned that, simply by surrounding myself with the best skiers on the mountain, I quickly became a better skier myself.
Today, I understand that one of the best ways to realize and accomplish large aspirations, whether as an individual or an organization, is through our surroundings. I believe that we are all better together, and that through relationships, diverse perspectives, and committing to each other’s success, we are able to achieve superior outcomes.
This understanding set me on the path of being deeply passionate about continuous improvement and personal growth and ultimately led me to choosing a career in consulting. While I strive to constantly improve myself, I find true fulfilment in helping organizations achieve their own objectives and aspirations. At Thought Ensemble, I am grateful for the opportunities that I have each day to take part in leading positive change and making a lasting difference.
Jake’s Thoughts
From Deck Builder to Storyteller: Five Tips to Make an Impact With Your Next Presentation
Did you know that roughly 35 million PowerPoint presentations are given each day by an estimated 500 million users worldwide? And that’s just PowerPoint — I haven’t even factored in other mediums like Prezi, Haiku Deck, or Pitcherific (look for our review of all the...