Forum Associate Spotlight: Maren Jangard
Welcome to the Forum Solutions Associate Spotlight Series: where we celebrate the remarkable professional and personal accomplishments of our associates on their work anniversaries.
We are proud to celebrate Maren Jangard’s 3-year anniversary with Forum Solutions. Maren excels in delivering exceptional client service, fostering a vibrant company culture, and driving the strategic growth of the firm. With expertise in relationship management, customer service, and operational process improvement, she is passionate about empowering others to perform at their best through servant leadership. Outside of work, Maren enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking in the kitchen with loved ones, and playing with her dog Bodhi.
What is one thing that sets Forum apart from other consulting firms?
I am admittedly biased, but I truly believe it is our people. I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside such talented professionals who are also thoughtful, fun, and genuinely kind. Even as a small firm, we bring a remarkable blend of subject matter expertise that we share not only with our clients but with each other.
Forum’s culture is intentional, collaborative, and growth oriented. It allows us to evolve as professionals, colleagues, and individuals, which ultimately makes us better partners to our clients. The people I work with are exceptional consultants and even better humans. They are humble, generous with their knowledge, and eager to support those of us earlier in our consulting careers. That willingness to teach and mentor helps us imagine the kind of consultant and partner we aspire to be in the future.
What do you enjoy most about consulting?
For me, it is the opportunity to build meaningful relationships, both within our firm and with our clients. It is a privilege to be invited into an organization to help them achieve their goals. Our clients care deeply about their work, and we get to learn what matters to them, partner on forward momentum, and help them get there efficiently and thoughtfully.
I love people, and I feel fortunate to have built strong partnerships during my time at Forum. It is energizing to continue nurturing those relationships and forming new ones along the way. I also enjoy the problem solving and creativity that come with consulting. Sometimes a fresh perspective can unlock exactly the insight needed to move work forward and finding that sweet spot is incredibly rewarding.
How do you like to spend your weekends?
My favorite weekends are spent surrounded by friends and family, especially when it involves cooking a homemade meal and sharing a beverage or two. I love to cook and bake, and my loved ones are often the lucky test bunnies for whatever new recipe I am experimenting with. Fortunately, our one-year-old golden mix is always ready to assist with any dog safe cleanup that hits the floor.
Outside the kitchen, music is a big part of my life. I have sung in choirs for as long as I can remember, and I will find any excuse to put on my favorite songs and sing along. I also love exploring the Seattle area with my husband and our dog, Bodhi, or spending time being an aunt to the best nieces and nephews.
What does being part of a local Seattle-based consulting firm mean to you?
It is an honor to do meaningful work in the community we live in. There is something special about supporting organizations whose impact we see in our daily lives. Being part of a Seattle-based firm allows us to build deeper, long-standing relationships, stay closely connected to local needs, and contribute to the growth and success of the region we are rooted in. It makes the work feel personal in a very meaningful way.