Catalant consultants honored for excellence in analytics and AI innovation and operational and process consulting

Catalant, the creator of Consulting 2.0 and a leading provider of flexible and fit-to-purpose consulting solutions, today announced the inclusion of Catalant consultants Michael Barnett and Nehal Desai on Consulting Magazine’s Top Consultants 2026 list. 

The recognition of the superior outcomes delivered by Nehal and Michael through this award validates the shift toward Consulting 2.0, where success is measured not by the size of a firm but by the precision and depth of the expertise delivered. Barnett and Desai showcase the value of this movement, proving that the world’s most complex operational and technical challenges are best solved by elite, agile practitioners. 

“Michael and Nehal are the kind of advisors who don’t just strategize — they roll up their sleeves and solve problems,” shared Binu Sudhakaran, Catalant’s Vice President, Practice Community and Expert Services. “Their inclusion on this list is a testament to the caliber of Catalant consultants. When you strip away the overhead of traditional consulting hierarchies, exceptional people can do exceptional work.”

Consulting Magazine‘s Top Consultants awards celebrate the most influential and accomplished professionals in the industry, applauding them for the results they deliver and their leadership and innovation in a changing landscape. Selection as a top consultant reflects these individuals’ outstanding contributions to their clients and the profession as a whole.

Barnett is honored in the Analytics and AI Innovation category for his work through Catalant architecting an advanced, statistics-based inventory management solution for a leading global manufacturing company. In a sector where supply chain volatility is the new baseline, Barnett’s contributions transformed complex data into a practical asset.

“This award represents a significant achievement for me,” said Barnett. “I am grateful for the opportunities that my consulting career has provided me to learn and tackle new challenges across various companies and industries. This recognition is a powerful motivator for me to keep pushing myself and explore how I can best help clients to build new, value-added solutions that leverage the latest AI capabilities.”

Desai is honored in the Operational and Process Consulting category for her outstanding work through Catalant, leading a large-scale procurement cost transformation program supporting a global industrial manufacturer. Her ability to navigate high-stakes environments and institutionalize data-driven practices enabled her to optimize sourcing costs and deliver significant savings.

“Real transformation isn’t just about tools and frameworks — it’s about people, standards, and building change that lasts,” said Desai. “This recognition affirms that staying true to those principles is what drives sustained results, even in the most complex environments.”

The achievements of Barnett and Desai signal a broader market shift. As organizations increasingly prioritize speed and specialized knowledge, the Consulting 2.0 model will continue to attract the industry’s most accomplished practitioners.

Barnett and Desai will be formally recognized at the upcoming Top Consultants Dinner and Award Ceremony in June, 2026.