Come Home Louisiana: Nick Speyrer

The president and founder of Baton Rouge-headquartered Emergent Method, Nick Spreyer’s story is one of ambition, learning and returning home. 

After graduating from LSU with a degree in finance, Speyrer was lured away from Louisiana in search of new career opportunities, first to Atlanta and then to New York City. There, he worked for global consulting powerhouse PricewaterhouseCoopers.

“I really loved what I did,” he recalls. But something was missing. While Spreyer enjoyed the fast-paced consulting world, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he wanted to return to Louisiana.

For four years, he tackled big projects and learned the ropes of consulting. “I learned a ton and really loved what I did,” Speyrer explains. “But I was married and ready to start a family.”

“I was ready to move back home,” he says. But it wasn’t just a personal decision—Speyrer also saw an opportunity to make a difference in his home state. “Sometimes going away and getting a fresh perspective can be positive, but if you’re from Louisiana and care about the state, you can be a change agent.”

So, he returned to Baton Rouge and joined a consulting firm involved in seriously impactful work. This included projects like helping create the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) after the devastating BP oil spill and also aiding the launch of the Water Institute of the Gulf. During this time, Speyrer realized his calling wasn’t just to work on impactful projects—it was to create a firm that could tackle the challenges Louisiana and the rest of the country face.

That’s when he decided to start Emergent Method, a management consulting firm focused on solving complex problems. From the beginning, Speyrer knew it could have a big impact in Louisiana and across the country. And he was right. The firm has grown rapidly, earning recognition as one of the world’s fastest-growing consulting firms. Today, Emergent Method has nearly 200 employees, with nearly all based in Louisiana.

But for Speyrer, success isn’t just about growth—it’s about creating a company that reflects Louisiana's values. “There are no greater people. To me, there’s no greater work ethic,” Speyrer says. “Our best and brightest in Louisiana are every bit as good, if not better, than everyone else.”

By returning home and starting Emergent Method, Speyrer has not only built a successful business but also helped reverse Louisiana’s outward migration. His company has become a magnet for other Louisiana expats looking to come back and make a difference. And for the next generation of talent, Speyrer’s story proves that you don’t have to leave Louisiana to achieve your career goals—you can build something amazing right here at home.