Spotlight on Tracy Wittman: Farient Advisors’ Newest Principal

Farient Advisors welcomes Tracy Wittman as its newest principal. Tracy brings 30-plus years’ experience as a compensation and rewards consultant. Ahead of her participation as a featured panelist at the 2025 NACD Directors Summit this month, we had the opportunity to sit down with Tracy to discuss her career, her decision to join Farient, and her views in general on the business of consulting and more specifically on designing corporate pay plans.

A Career Built on Expertise and Passion

Tracy’s career is a testament to her dedication and expertise in the field of executive compensation and governance. Her decision to join Farient Advisors was driven by her desire to be part of a team that values innovation and excellence in consulting. Her first “real” job after graduating from the University of Michigan was at Deloitte. She also has held high-profile roles at major companies such as Target, General Mills, and KinderCare, focusing on executive and broad-based compensation and benefits, a demonstration of her expertise in designing and administering compensation, benefits, and relocation programs for large employee bases. “Tracy brings a strategic mindset and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in executive compensation,” said Farient Founder and CEO Robin A. Ferracone. “Her ability to provide actionable insights and drive meaningful change has earned her the respect of her peers. She’s an outstanding addition to our leadership team.”

Insights on Consulting: The Good and the Challenging

When asked about what she likes and dislikes about consulting, Tracy was candid. She appreciates the dynamic nature of the work and the opportunity to collaborate with diverse clients. However, she also acknowledges the challenges that come with the territory, such as the need to constantly stay ahead of industry trends and the demands of balancing multiple deadline-oriented projects.

Advice for Aspiring Consultants

Tracy offers valuable advice for those looking to enter the consulting field: “Stay curious and never stop learning. The consulting industry is constantly evolving, and it’s essential to keep up with the latest trends and developments. Build strong relationships with your clients and colleagues and always strive to deliver the best possible solutions.” And, she says, move around. She has lived in the United States, United Kingdom, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While she and her husband currently reside in Florida, they are planning a move later this year to Dublin, where she will be nearer to Farient’s London office.

Why Farient?

What Tracy says what she most admired about Farient, and one of the main reasons she chose to join the firm, is it approaches executive compensation and total remuneration work first and foremost through business strategy vs. having a primary focus on benchmarking like everyone else does. “I’d be remiss if I didn’t attribute part of my reason for joining the Farient team to the fact that I’ve admired and respected Robin Ferracone as an expert, leader, board facilitator, and, quite frankly, a full person for many years. I mean, how many of us work 80 hours a week and still manage to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for our vacation?”

Join Us at the Summit

We invite you to join us at the 2025 NACD Directors Summit to hear more from Tracy Wittman and other industry leaders. This is an excellent opportunity to engage with experts, share experiences, and explore innovative solutions to the pressing challenges in executive compensation and governance.

Tracy’s journey is an inspiring example of how a passion for excellence and continuous learning contributes to life’s choices. We hope to see you there.