We draw strength from our Scottish heritage, allowing it to shape our innovative approach to solving business challenges.
Why McLean Forrester?
Built on Vision. Driven by Innovation.
McLean Forrester started with a simple conversation in a kitchen. A group of experienced professionals came together with a shared vision to build something extraordinary beyond the limits of corporate and government structures. United by expertise and a passion for innovation, we set out to create a technology company focused on people and real customer value.
Today, we are proud of what we have built and excited for what’s ahead. With a dedicated team and a commitment to making a difference, the possibilities are endless.
Leadership
"Do the right thing, and do the thing right"
Heather McLean is the Co-Founder and CEO of McLean Forrester. Heather brings 25 years of experience as a strategic technology leader. Before founding McLean Forrester, Heather ran a 400-person software delivery organization and a $100M+ services portfolio for a global IT organization. There she built an agile PMO from the ground up and scaled global operations across the U.S., India, and Latin America. Her teams delivered complex digital transformations for Fortune 500 clients with measurable improvements in cost, delivery speed, and client satisfaction.
Heather is also a retired U.S. Air Force officer with a 20-year military career. She directed complex, high-stakes IT programs, including a $400M annual portfolio for U.S. Transportation Command, and was hand-selected to plan a four-star-general-level innovation think tank with DARPA and more than 200 military and industry scholars. Alongside her military service, she spent seven years as an adjunct professor at Park University, teaching logistics and management courses online and in person.
A featured speaker at the PMI Global Conference, Heather holds a Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology. She has also earned certifications in change management from Cornell, prompt engineering from Vanderbilt, and SAFe 6, among others.
Today, she helps leaders cut through the AI hype and build practical strategies that actually deliver business value. She is known for building high-performing teams, delivering measurable client outcomes, and designing humane operating models that work in the real world.
Rose Nyte is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of McLean Forrester. Rose is a highly accomplished senior engineering executive with over 25 years of experience in the technology industry. She has a proven track record of building high-performing engineering teams and delivering innovative solutions, along with measurable ROI for large-scale digital transformation engagements with top-tier clients. Previously, Rose served as Senior Director of Developer Productivity Engineering at PayPal. As Senior Director of Engineering at World Wide Technology, she led a 400-person engineering group and was responsible for a $120M P&L. She also held leadership positions at various top-tier companies, served as CTO-in-residence for tech start-ups sponsored by ITEN, and achieved entrepreneurial success as the founder & CEO of a global fashion brand and web development company.
A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Rose holds a Master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Harvard University and several prestigious technology and management credentials. In her free time, she enjoys painting, writing, and creating music.
Larry McLean is a seasoned technology executive with over 40 years of leadership, driving digital transformation across commercial and public sectors. As Chief Growth Officer at McLean Forrester LLC, he focuses on innovation, operational excellence, and delivering measurable results in complex IT and data-driven environments.
During his federal career, Larry held senior leadership roles overseeing two global IT networks, directing IT services for a U.S. Combatant Command, serving as a deployed squadron commander following 9/11, and leading the Enterprise Data Management Office at U.S. Transportation Command. He also served as a strategic advisor to the USTRANSCOM CIO, guiding the evaluation and integration of emerging technologies into enterprise architecture.
In the commercial sector, Larry partners with organizations to design and deploy AI-enabled solutions that drive measurable process improvements, operational efficiency, and smarter decision-making. His work focuses on embedding artificial intelligence, automation, and advanced analytics into core business functions, modernizing workflows, reducing friction, improving data integrity, and accelerating insight-to-action cycles. He helps leadership teams harness AI responsibly and transparently, strengthening organizational trust while unlocking new sources of enterprise value and competitive advantage.
Larry is also a Professor at Washington University in St. Louis in the McKelvey School of Engineering, where he teaches graduate courses in IT strategy, data governance, and digital transformation within the Master of Information Systems Management program.
He holds multiple industry certifications, including ITIL Expert, CDMP, C|CISO, and a Digital Transformation certificate from MIT. Grounded in mission-focused leadership, Larry continues to bridge public-sector rigor with private-sector agility to deliver sustainable impact.
Our Vision
Our vision is to free organizations from technology challenges, enabling them to achieve operational excellence.
Our Values
Our Culture
Our Team
At McLean Forrester, we’re not just building transformative technology; we’re creating a workplace where exceptional talent thrives. Innovation, respect, and growth are at the heart of everything we do.
We Believe in Our People
We believe that treating team members as valued humans is fundamental. At McLean Forrester, you’re not just an employee; you’re an integral part of a team achieving amazing things together. Here, your goals and aspirations matter, and we’re committed to helping you reach them.
Customer Value and Efficiency
Our obsession with delivering customer value drives every project. We tailor each customer journey with care and precision, ensuring that the solutions we deliver make a real impact. Efficiency isn’t just a buzzword for us; it’s a way of operating that enhances our effectiveness, and we empower you to work from wherever you do your best.
Continuous Feedback and Coaching
Say goodbye to meaningless annual reviews. We embrace continuous feedback and coaching, focusing on regular conversations about performance, career goals, and personal growth. At McLean Forrester, we believe in setting clear goals and providing the support you need to achieve them.
Innovation and Learning
Our core value of innovation isn’t limited to our projects. It extends to our approach to continuous learning and personal development. Working with us means being at the forefront of technology, where learning and growth are constant, and your ideas are valued.
Building Trust
We recognize that building trust is essential to our success. By focusing on our people and delivering exceptional value to our customers, we foster a culture of trust and collaboration. Join us, and be part of a team where every interaction strengthens our collective journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What technology services does McLean Forrester provide?
McLean Forrester delivers enterprise-grade technology solutions focused on innovation and business outcomes. Our core offerings include:
- Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning – Custom models, automation workflows, predictive analytics.
- Application Modernization – Legacy upgrades, scalable architecture design, microservices.
- Cloud Migrations – Seamless and secure transitions to AWS, Azure, or hybrid cloud platforms.
We help organizations accelerate digital transformation and stay competitive in fast-moving markets.
What makes McLean Forrester different from other tech consulting firms?
With over 30 years of industry leadership, we offer:
- An innovation-first approach – Agile execution combined with AI integration from day one.
- Tailored, client-centric strategies – We don’t sell templates. Every solution is custom-built.
- Long-term partnerships – We work collaboratively and continuously evolve with your goals.
Our woman-owned, expert-led firm brings both strategic vision and technical excellence.
How does McLean Forrester implement AI and machine learning?
We create AI and machine learning models designed around your business priorities. Our solutions are used to:
- Automate manual processes and improve efficiency
- Enable smarter, faster data-driven decisions
- Solve domain-specific challenges such as fraud detection, customer segmentation, and operational optimization
Our team ensures alignment with your existing tech stack and compliance needs.
Which industries does McLean Forrester serve?
We work across industries but have deep expertise in:
- Retail – AI for customer experience and internal AI solutions for operational efficiency
- Healthcare – AI-powered diagnostics, regulatory alignment, and patient data platforms
- Finance – Risk modeling, fintech innovation, and digital security
- Government – Resilient digital infrastructure and modernization of public services
- Technology – Scalable SaaS development, cloud optimization, and DevSecOps
Our flexible approach allows us to adapt to the needs of complex organizations.
Do you provide IT assessments and digital strategy consulting?
Yes. Our comprehensive IT assessments are powered by AI insights and include:
- Current state evaluations – Identifying technical debt and opportunities
- Transformation roadmaps – Planning around cloud readiness, cybersecurity, and innovation gaps
- ROI-focused strategy – Every recommendation is aligned to business value and long-term growth
This is an ideal starting point for enterprise leaders seeking clarity before committing to large-scale change.
What is the process to start working with McLean Forrester?
Getting started is simple. Here’s how it works:
- Initial Consultation – Let’s talk about your goals, pain points, and possibilities.
- Tailored Proposal – We design a roadmap supported by AI-driven insights.
- Implementation & Delivery – Our team oversees execution, from proof-of-concept to full deployment.
Ask about our AI Ideation Workshop to kick off your innovation journey.
Do you offer post-project support?
Yes. We offer long-term support tailored to your evolving needs. Services include:
- Ongoing system monitoring and performance reviews
- AI solution optimization
- Strategic planning for next-phase technology initiatives
Our relationship doesn’t end with delivery. We’re here to grow with your business.
Who leads the team at McLean Forrester?
McLean Forrester is led by CEO Heather McLean, a veteran and technology leader with over 25 years of experience. After a 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force and a successful career at a global IT company, she founded McLean Forrester as a woman- and veteran-owned consulting firm based in the St. Louis area.
Under her leadership, the firm supports public and private sector clients across retail, finance, healthcare, government, and technology with a collaborative, expert-driven approach.
Does McLean Forrester offer custom software development?
Yes. We provide custom software development services tailored to your business. Using Agile and Lean methodologies, we help you reduce time-to-market and minimize risk.
We build scalable, cloud-native applications using AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. Our Scrum, SAFe, and PMI-certified experts tailor every solution to fit your technical and operational environment.
What is McLean Forrester’s approach to digital transformation?
Our approach is grounded in measurable outcomes. We co-create transformation strategies that combine AI, cloud, and modern software practices. Every project is built around data insights, agile delivery, and strong change management to ensure long-term success and adoption.
Can McLean Forrester help with cybersecurity and compliance?
Yes. Our certified experts provide:
- Risk and vulnerability assessments
- Data protection strategies and governance frameworks
- Technical due diligence and security audits
We help you strengthen security while preparing for audits, M&A activity, or regulatory change.
Can McLean Forrester support enterprise AI at scale?
Absolutely. We help organizations move beyond AI pilots and deploy at scale by offering:
- Rapid AI candidate selection and prototyping
- Robust AI custom solution development
- Enterprise AI governance and compliance support
- Seamless integration with ERP, CRM, and other platforms
We ensure AI becomes a core driver of value across your business.
How does McLean Forrester ensure project success?
We deliver success through:
- Agile execution and milestone-driven planning
- Transparent communication and reporting
- Cross-functional collaboration aligned to business goals
- Post-launch reviews and long-term optimization strategies
Our focus is always on outcomes, adoption, and continuous improvement.
What is the AI Ideation Workshop offered by McLean Forrester?
Our AI Ideation Workshop helps you identify and prioritize the most valuable AI use cases for your organization. We assess feasibility, data readiness, and business impact giving you a clear, actionable path forward.
How does McLean Forrester approach data governance?
We take a strategic and practical approach to data governance by:
- Establishing clear roles and access policies
- Ensuring data quality, traceability, and compliance
- Aligning governance with business strategy and AI readiness
Good data governance is key to driving innovation with confidence.
Do you assist with modernization and legacy system integration?
Yes. We help modernize and integrate legacy systems with new cloud or data platforms. Our solutions include:
- Application modernization – our Application Rationalization 360-degree capability is a pioneering holistic capability designed to ensure a rapid understanding and modernization of your IT portfolio, applications, data, and infrastructure, paving the way for an efficient and streamlined, future-ready organization.
- Rapid Portfolio Discovery – We leverage the latest technology to rapidly understand your IT portfolio and reverse engineer the systems, data connections, and architecture of your existing ecosystem.
- Customized Rationalization Roadmap – Our IT portfolio experts collaborate with you to develop a tailored roadmap based on advanced portfolio analysis leveraging our unbiased and leading edge technology.
- Advanced Refactoring – We leverage the latest AI tools to refactor, rebuild, or rearchitect your systems 20-55% faster, saving you valuable resources you can reinvest in new capabilities.
By modernizing your applications, you not only improve performance and user experience but also increase your flexibility and time-to-market, and enhance security.
Where is McLean Forrester based, and do you serve clients internationally?
McLean Forrester is based in the St. Louis area and serves clients across the United States and internationally. We support both remote and on-site consulting engagements, and we’re experienced working with global teams and multi-location enterprises.
How do I know if McLean Forrester is the right partner for my organization?
If you’re seeking a trusted, experienced partner to guide your organization through complex digital change with a strong foundation in AI, cybersecurity, cloud, and IT strategy, McLean Forrester is equipped to help. Our approach is collaborative, our solutions are tailored, and our results are measurable.
How does McLean Forrester approach customer service?
At McLean Forrester, delivering value to our clients is our highest priority. We provide white glove service, ensuring every interaction is thoughtful, responsive, and tailored to your needs.
We approach customer service by:
- Prioritizing clients’ goals and outcomes above all else
- Providing high-touch support throughout every engagement
- Putting ourselves in our customers’ shoes to understand their challenges and needs
- Advising with empathy and insight to create the best-fit solutions
- Designing solutions focused on delivering the highest value and ROI
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