We do not just advise. We build.
Founded September 2024 by McKinsey alumni and joined by BCG, industry, and PE veterans. Headquartered in Marathon, Florida. Built for clients who want strategy AND execution from the same team.
Built to close the gap.
Emerald Key Partners was founded by a team of seasoned professionals who led large-scale business and AI transformations at top-tier consulting firms. After watching too many engagements stop at the strategy deck or fail in the hand-off to a tool vendor, we built Emerald Key to close that gap.
We bring the rigor of McKinsey and BCG together with the hands-on technical capability of a senior AI engineering team, so the strategy we recommend is the same strategy we deliver.
"We did not want another consultant or another vendor. We wanted a team that would build the thing and stay until it worked. EKP did both."
VP Operations, financial services client
Strategy meets execution.
Our work blends two distinct strengths most firms can only offer one of.
Top-tier consulting strengths.
- Strategic clarity across functions and priorities.
- Executive-level insight and investor-grade communication.
- Clear identification of impact and capture strategies.
- Unrivaled problem-solving.
- High standards for rigor, speed, and quality.
- Proven industry frameworks and a strong sense of what works.
- End-to-end change management and large-scale transformation delivery.
- Rapid ramp-up across new industries and processes.
- Robust network spanning industry, private equity, and consulting ecosystems.
Boutique AI advantages.
- Functional AI delivery, including usable systems.
- Custom-built, tailored tools and solutions.
- True technical expertise from practitioners, not generalists.
- Fluency in fast-moving AI innovation and emerging tech.
- Embedded agile teams that make adoption easier.
- Accessible leadership driving enduring partnerships.
- Rapid prototyping paired with scalable productization.
- Full life-cycle: strategy, concept, build, implementation, scale, and sustain.
Built for three kinds of clients.
Different stages of company, different needs from the same operating team.
Mid to large enterprises.
Diagnose AI opportunity and build the roadmap, then implement custom AI projects connected to your existing CRM, ERP, data lakes, and tools. We have led cross-functional teams across data management, development, delivery, and live operations.
Start-ups.
Build innovative technology from proof-of-concept through MVP and marketable product. Conduct valuations, market scans, and feasibility analyses. Build business plans and partner to execute.
Private equity and investors.
Assess AI improvement opportunities to lift asset performance, inform investor decisions, surface investment opportunities, and execute improvement initiatives. Perform vendor and buyer-side technical, commercial, and operational due diligence.
The people you actually work with.
The people on the sales call are the people on the build. Always.
Nephi Johnson
CEO and Founder
Trusted advisor to client executives on AI and analytics, including custom build implementations and strategies. Previously 7 years at McKinsey and Co. leading large-scale AI and operations programs with approximately 1 billion dollars in recurring impact across Energy, Commodities, and Trading. 10 additional years in engineering. PhD and two MS degrees in Computer Science and Engineering.
Nischala Thumula
AI and Data Lead
Technology expert and solution architect leading technical delivery across client engagements. 6 years at McKinsey and Co. engineering AI and data solutions at scale across Fortune 500 companies. 5 additional years automating manufacturing processes for efficiency. MS in Electrical Engineering.
Weston Wardrop
Head of Business Operations
Leads business operations, marketing, and client-facing systems. Builder of custom CRM, automation, and marketing infrastructure. Helped develop an AI training program teaching professionals to integrate generative AI into their workflows. Focused on applying the latest AI trends to business growth.
A hand-selected bench.
Beyond our principals, we operate a hand-selected bench of specialists assembled for the right engagement. Every pod is staffed by senior practitioners. No junior team.
Data scientists.
Machine learning, LLMs, generative AI, and agentic systems.
Data engineers.
Pipelines, ETL, APIs, and data integrity at scale.
Solution architects.
Scalable systems and enterprise integration.
Web designers and full-stack developers.
UI, UX, and production codebases.
Business-tech translators.
Experienced in turning ideas into measurable business impact.
Strategy AND execution from one operating team.
Tell us what you are trying to ship and what is in the way. We reply within one business day.