Congratulations to Spaulding Ridge’s Chris Corbin, who was recently named a Rising Star by Consulting Magazine for his work in Technology and Digital Consulting.
Chris, a Director at Spaulding Ridge, is known for leading large-scale data platform modernization and enterprise transformation efforts. He works closely with clients to help them move from legacy systems to modern, cloud-based platforms, unlocking more value from their data along the way. We caught up with Chris to talk about his approach to transformation, what sets successful projects apart, and what’s shaped his leadership style.
Tell us about yourself and your role at Spaulding Ridge.
I’m Chris Corbin, and I focus on leading large-scale data platform modernization and enterprise transformation initiatives at Spaulding Ridge. I spend a lot of time working with executive stakeholders at some of our key accounts, helping define and execute data and analytics roadmaps that actually drive meaningful business outcomes. I’m really focused on making sure there’s strong alignment between business priorities and delivery, while also maintaining a high bar for quality across everything we do.
I’m based in Austin, Texas, and outside of work, I enjoy biking, running, skiing, and spending time in Northern Michigan.
What does being named a Rising Star in Technology and Digital Consulting mean to you?
This recognition really reflects the culture we’ve built at Spaulding Ridge. It’s a place where people are encouraged to grow, define their own path, and focus on what they’re most interested in. There’s a lot of support to develop your strengths and make a real impact. For me, it also reflects the teams I’ve been lucky to work with. Growth here is very much a shared experience, and that’s a big part of what makes this recognition meaningful.
When you look at digital transformation today, where do organizations tend to succeed, and where do they struggle most?
One of the biggest factors in success is how much effort goes into the upfront discovery and requirements phase. The organizations that really take the time to identify the right stakeholders and align on clear, measurable outcomes tend to be much more successful. Where things break down is when alignment isn’t fully there. If teams don’t have a shared understanding of what success looks like, they often end up having to realign later, which slows everything down and creates unnecessary friction. The most successful transformations are very specific. It’s not just about having a vision but clearly defining what you’re trying to achieve and how you’ll measure it.
Digital consulting requires both technical expertise and strong relationships. How do you balance the two?
I started my career in a very hands-on technical role, building integrations, dashboards, and reporting solutions. Over time, I realized that while technical expertise is important, the biggest impact comes from enabling teams to do their best work.
Now, I focus more on building strong relationships, supporting our teams, and removing obstacles so they can deliver high-quality results. Having that technical background still plays a big role; it helps me connect with technical teams, translate for business stakeholders, and make sure we’re driving the right outcomes.
What experiences or challenges have most shaped your leadership and growth?
One of the biggest lessons for me has been how important culture is to a team’s success. I’ve seen how much leadership and team environment can impact both performance and retention over time. I care a lot about creating a culture where people feel supported, challenged, and able to grow. Consulting can be demanding, so it’s important to build a healthy, sustainable way of working. That’s something we’ve really focused on at Spaulding Ridge, and it’s a big reason why our teams are so strong and committed.
What’s next for you — what are you excited to explore or build?
I’m excited to continue scaling our data practice and helping organizations modernize their data foundations so they can support more advanced analytics and AI. There’s a lot of noise right now around emerging technologies, so a big focus is on helping clients cut through that and focus on real, practical use cases. What excites me most is seeing those solutions actually get into users' hands and start driving better, faster decisions. The barrier to getting value from data is lower than it’s ever been, and we’re in a great position to help clients take advantage of that.
If you could pick any song to play when you walk into the office, what would it be?
Chappell Roans’ cover of Barracuda by Heart
Thank you for your time today, Chris. Congratulations!
Thank you!
