Entrenched Leadership and the Illusion of Innovation - Anonymous employee Mathematica Employee Review

Years before Trump, the company’s leadership recognized the need to diversify beyond federal work and strengthen its technical capabilities. However, an entrenched group of mediocre long-timers—including a few in the C-suite—has made meaningful innovation nearly impossible. The gravy train was simply too good, and many believed it would last forever. Time and again, the organization brought in outsiders with impressive credentials to lead new units and initiatives, placing them in roles with lofty titles but little real authority and minimal resources. They were expected to be miracle-working rainmakers, develop new offerings and practices while simultaneously driving new business. Inevitably, most hit a wall and either left or were pushed out. Meanwhile, the entrenched inner circle is rewarded with promotions into roles that duplicate existing functions or carry vaguely defined mandates. Their loyalty is compensated with exponentially growing salaries, while entry- and mid-level pay remains low compared to the consulting firms Mathematica aspires to compete with. Many of the outsiders and newcomers have been women and people of color, expected to suppress their passion and intelligence in order to conform to the company’s culture and accommodate the egos of the long-established leadership group.