Who We Are

Built on Discipline.
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The Barnwell Advisory Group was founded on a simple belief — that the best strategic advice comes from people who have actually done the work. Our team brings together military precision, deep industry experience, and world-class advisory capability.

$2B+
Project Value Delivered
18+
Years Energy Expertise
4
Global Regions
10+
Industries Served

"We help organizations turn strategic ambition into measurable, lasting value — not just on paper, but in the field."

The Barnwell Advisory Group — Mission

Our Story

A Global Partner for Strategy & Transformation

The Barnwell Advisory Group was founded by Dwayne C. Barnwell — a U.S. Navy veteran, 18-year oil and gas industry leader, and McKinsey & Company alumnus — with a clear purpose: to deliver the kind of integrated, results-oriented advisory that only comes from people who have lived and led at every level of complex organizations.

Barnwell Advisory was built for leaders who are tired of strategy that looks good in a boardroom but fails in the field. We bridge the gap between high-level vision and operational reality — because our practitioners have operated in both worlds simultaneously, across energy, financial services, manufacturing, utilities, and technology sectors globally.

From our founding, we have committed to a single standard: every engagement must produce measurable, lasting value. Not deliverables. Not presentations. Results that endure well beyond our involvement.

Our People

Leadership Team

Seasoned executives and practitioners with deep industry expertise and a shared commitment to delivering results that endure.

DB

Dwayne C. Barnwell

Founder & Managing Principal

U.S. Navy Veteran Oil & Gas McKinsey Alumni Energy Transition

A U.S. Navy veteran, 18-year oil and gas industry leader, and McKinsey & Company alumnus, Dwayne C. Barnwell has delivered over $2 billion in project value across Schlumberger, Weatherford International, and NOV, spanning the Americas, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East. At McKinsey, he drove $80M in procurement savings and resolved a five-year localization challenge for a national oil company in two weeks. He founded Barnwell Advisory to bring military discipline, energy expertise, and strategic rigor to organizations that need results — not just recommendations.

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MR

Marcus Reid

Senior Principal, Strategy & Operations

Enterprise Strategy Restructuring

Marcus brings 18 years of management consulting and operational transformation experience. A former partner at a Big Four firm, he leads Barnwell Advisory's strategy and operational excellence practice with a focus on large-scale enterprise restructuring and performance improvement across industrials and financial services.

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SN

Sophia Nakamura

Principal, Technology & AI Advisory

AI Strategy Digital Transformation

Sophia leads Barnwell Advisory's technology and AI practice, advising C-suite leaders on digital transformation, AI enablement, and technology architecture. She holds advanced degrees in computer science and business and has guided transformations across financial services, healthcare, and energy sectors.

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JA

James Achebe

Principal, Energy & Global Markets

Energy Transition Emerging Markets

James specializes in energy sector strategy, sustainability advisory, and emerging markets. With deep experience across Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, he helps energy companies navigate the transition to low-carbon operations while sustaining competitive performance.

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How We Work

Values & Culture

Our values aren't aspirational — they're operational. They define how we engage with clients, develop our people, and hold ourselves accountable to outcomes.

Integrity Above All

We tell clients what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. Our independence and objectivity are non-negotiable — every recommendation is grounded in evidence and honest analysis.

Relentless Excellence

We hold ourselves to the highest standards of analytical rigor, strategic clarity, and professional quality. Good enough is never good enough when our clients' decisions are consequential.

Courageous Innovation

We challenge conventional thinking and bring fresh frameworks to complex problems. Our practitioners actively pursue emerging methodologies — including AI-augmented analysis — to keep clients ahead.

Impact Over Activity

We measure our success by what our clients achieve — not by deliverables produced. Every engagement is designed to transfer capability and create value that persists long after our involvement ends.

Deep Collaboration

We work alongside our clients — not above them. Our practitioners embed within organizations, build genuine relationships, and co-develop solutions so client teams own what we build together.

Built for Resilience

We help organizations become anti-fragile — structuring strategies and operations that not only survive disruption but emerge stronger. This same principle guides how we build and sustain our own firm.

Our Reach

Global Presence

Barnwell Advisory operates across four global regions, bringing local expertise and global perspective to every engagement.

4
Global Regions
10+
Countries Served
8
Practice Areas
100%
Client Focus

Americas

North & South America

New York · Houston · Miami · São Paulo · Toronto

Europe

United Kingdom & Europe

London · Frankfurt · Paris · Amsterdam · Zürich

Middle East & Africa

MEA Region

Dubai · Riyadh · Abu Dhabi · Johannesburg · Lagos

Asia-Pacific

APAC Region

Singapore · Tokyo · Sydney · Hong Kong · Mumbai

Ready to work with us?

Let's talk about what you're trying to build — and how Barnwell Advisory can help you get there.

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