Santiago & Company and Dynamic Consultants Group: Forge AI-Driven Consulting Venture

A Strategic Evolution in Consulting

In August of 2025, Santiago & Company and Dynamic Consultants Group (DCG) will launch a joint venture designed not merely to extend existing services but to redefine what a consulting partnership can achieve. This partnership marries DCG's strength in Microsoft-focused digital transformation with Santiago & Company's emerging expertise in AI-driven strategy and management consulting. Santiago & Company has built itself as an AI-native firm from the start. Together, DCG's proven expertise in Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Azure platforms, combined with Santiago & Company's foundational AI-first strategy, will target mid-market and enterprise clients seeking true, measurable transformation. While many consultancies aspire to stand alongside McKinsey, Bain, and BCG, Santiago & Company openly challenges the industry slate: the future is "MBBS" (McKinsey, Bain, BCG, and Santiago).

Josh Santiago, formerly DCG's Chief Strategy Officer and a longtime managing partner, is stepping out to helm Santiago & Company  a new firm dedicated to AI implementation, business transformations, and high-impact strategy consulting. From Santiago & Company's perspective, the venture represents not just a business deal but an alumni-led evolution, a natural outgrowth of DCG's talent incubator ethos. DCG is positioning the relationship as a proud progression of its alumni, akin to an incubator yielding great companies, while remaining committed to its core mission of leading Microsoft Dynamics 365 and cloud ERP/CRM transformation programs.  

The stage is set for a narrative of continuity and change as both firms unite, combining technical prowess with strategic insight. "Seeing Josh step out to launch Santiago & Company is exactly what we envisioned when we built DCG: a place where talent grows, then spins out to push the industry forward. This partnership confirms that DCG is more than a company on the move—it’s a living engine for innovation,” said Dustin Domerese, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), DCG. Santiago & Company's launch with DCG's backing underscores a broader trend in consulting: established firms empowering former leaders to spin off specialized ventures, creating an ecosystem of innovation. Ron Kane, DCG's Chief Operating Officer, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the operational opportunity, "Partnering with Santiago & Company broadens our strategic reach while keeping us firmly anchored in the Microsoft ecosystem we know best. Clients gain deeper insight without sacrificing the hands‑on technical excellence they expect from DCG.” The joint venture's timing, set for mid-Q3 FY25, is deliberate – aligning with a surge in demand for AI-centric transformation services and the maturation of DCG's client base, which increasingly seeks not only technology implementation but also strategic guidance to navigate an AI-enabled future.

Alumni-Led Venture: An AI-Native Origin

Santiago & Company's founders set out with a singular vision: to build a management consultancy rooted in artificial intelligence from day one. Josh Santiago leads this new boutique management and strategy consulting firm specializing in harnessing artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cloud technologies to unlock growth for clients, with a conviction honed over almost two decades of guiding hundreds of clients globally through digital change. Instead of grafting AI onto established practices, his firm wove it into every engagement model.  Enabling clients to automate decisions, predict trends, and unlock insights that traditional firms only describe in reports.  

DCG, proud of its track record as an incubator of talent, views Santiago's spin-out as a hallmark of its culture: alums emerging to pioneer new frontiers without severing ties to technical excellence. "Our mission is to help clients not just adapt to the future but actively shape it while accelerating their organizations to a higher level," Santiago says of his new venture. The firm will focus on implementing and strategizing AI. Guiding organizations through the practical steps of adopting machine learning and generative AI solutions while also offering management consulting services in corporate strategy, operational improvement, and organizational transformation. By weaving advanced AI capabilities into traditional consulting, Santiago & Company aims to deliver innovative solutions to complex business challenges.

The new firm aligns seamlessly with Josh's experience at DCG, where he gained firsthand insight into the power of blending technological tools with strategic vision. Josh spent almost a decade helping build DCG into a leading Microsoft consultancy and a 5-time winner of Inc. 5000's fastest-growing companies, consulting across North America, Europe, and the Middle East in industries such as telecommunications, manufacturing, automotive, banking, and retail. At DCG, he worked closely with entrepreneurs and C-suite executives to improve processes, boost revenues, and drive digital transformation. Colleagues describe him as a visionary strategist with a track record of driving transformative change, credited with over $1 billion in cumulative EBITDA improvements for client organizations throughout his career. His passion for technology as a catalyst for business impact is well known; at DCG, he often championed the use of Microsoft technologies to empower organizations and was a globetrotting speaker on digital innovation.

DCG’s Incubator Mindset and Microsoft Transformation Roots

Dynamic Consultants Group enters this joint venture from a position of strength and pride. Under Dustin Domerese's leadership, DCG has cultivated a culture that encourages entrepreneurship and innovation. The company likens the relationship with Santiago's new firm to that of an alumnus launching a startup out of a graduate program – a comparison that speaks to DCG's incubator mindset. Technologists founded DCG itself and have grown rapidly over the last 10 years. As a certified Microsoft Solutions Partner, DCG built its reputation by delivering Microsoft-centric digital solutions to clients. Its core services include end-to-end implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM and ERP systems, cloud migrations to Azure, Power Platform development, and ongoing managed support and corporate training. This focus on Microsoft's digital transformation remains at the heart of DCG's business model, addressing steady market demand for modernizing enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems in the era of cloud computing. Even as it spins up new ventures, DCG is clear that its primary mission continues: guiding organizations through complex technology transitions and maximizing their Microsoft investments. "Our core remains unchanged—digital transformation for our valued clients backed by world‑class managed services. What evolves is the scale of impact we deliver when strategic AI guidance is woven into every project from day one,” notes COO Ron Kane.

Indeed, DCG's leadership views the joint venture as additive rather than diversionary. By supporting Santiago & Company, DCG extends its ecosystem to cover strategic advisory and AI services that complement its technical offerings. Internally, DCG frames this as a win-win: clients benefit from a broader range of expertise, and DCG's alums prove the value of the leadership development the company has fostered. This "alumni-led evolution" narrative positions DCG not just as a service provider but as a launch pad for industry leaders. Domerese has often highlighted how DCG's determined, forward-thinking culture, one that once drew parallels to innovators like Dell and Microsoft, continues to mimic that spirit by producing new enterprises equipped to drive change.

Joint Venture Focus: Bridging AI Strategy with Digital Transformation

The strategic rationale behind the Santiago & Company DCG joint venture is rooted in complementary strengths and a shared vision of the future of the market. Enterprises are seeking partners that can deliver end-to-end transformation, from installing next-generation software systems to advising the C-suite on competitive strategy in the age of AI. This joint venture is uniquely positioned to meet that demand.

On one side, Santiago & Company offers advisory capabilities in strategy, organization, and cutting-edge AI. On the other hand, DCG brings deep technical expertise in Microsoft business applications and cloud platforms. It has proven methodologies for implementing CRM and ERP solutions, as well as optimizing business processes with technology. This means clients of the joint venture can expect a seamless blend of operational technology deployment and strategic business consulting. For example, a manufacturing client might engage in the venture to both upgrade its enterprise resource planning system to Microsoft Dynamics 365 and develop an AI-driven analytics strategy to optimize its supply chain. Or a financial services firm could seek assistance migrating customer management to the cloud while also getting advice on leveraging generative AI to personalize client outreach. By combining forces, Santiago & Company and DCG intend to provide such clients with a holistic approach: "from vision to value," as Josh Santiago describes it.

This focus also taps into strong market currents. The demand for AI consulting is skyrocketing as organizations across every sector explore artificial intelligence for increased efficiency and innovation. Analysts project that the global AI consulting market will reach approximately $70 billion by 2025, growing at a robust annual rate of 40%. Companies are investing in AI solutions for automation, customer insight, and decision support; however, many struggle with the expertise and strategy required to implement them effectively.  

Consulting firms that can bridge the gap, offering both technical AI expertise and strategic guidance, are well-positioned to capitalize on this opportunity. "Clients don't just want software or new tools; they want to understand how technology like AI can transform their business model and outcomes," observes Josh Santiago. Traditional system integrators often lack advanced AI strategy capabilities. In contrast, high-level strategy consultants may not have the expertise to implement platforms. This joint venture explicitly aims to close that gap. This partnership hinges on three core differentiators that Santiago & Company brings to the table and that DCG fully embraces:

• AI-Native Consulting Model  
  From strategy workshops to boardroom recommendations, AI underpins every solution. The venture will design and deploy technology, ranging from generative AI tools to advanced ML systems, that integrate directly into clients' business processes, ensuring technology drives outcomes rather than residing in a PowerPoint appendix.
  

• Productivity-Focused AI  
  They empower employees with AI-augmented tools that elevate performance, contrasting sharply with competitors that tout layoffs as their AI dividend. Rather than cutting headcount, the teams will embed intelligence to multiply workforce output by three to six times.
  

• Global, Non-Traditional Talent 
  Both firms will draw on a rigorously trained, diverse talent pool sourced globally, evaluated on merit, and honed through intensive AI and consulting academies. This approach fuels creative problem-solving and ensures clients benefit from perspectives far beyond traditional Ivy-centric networks.
  

By combining these pillars with DCG's deep Microsoft implementation expertise, the joint venture provides clients with a seamless "vision-to-value" journey, from architecting Dynamics 365 solutions to operationalizing generative AI strategies and measuring real business impact. Moreover, Microsoft's ecosystem is rapidly infusing AI into its products, from Dynamics 365 Copilot features that automate CRM tasks to Azure AI services, creating fertile ground for consultants who can help enterprises navigate these innovations.  

DCG's intimate knowledge of Microsoft's roadmap and Santiago & Company's AI-first mindset enables them to advise clients on leveraging tools that merge the two domains. The result is a proposition to clients: a one-stop partnership that can both architect and activate transformation underpinned by the latest technology.
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Leadership at the Helm: Experience and Vision

Leadership will be a critical factor in translating this strategy into tangible results. The joint venture is guided by a trio of seasoned executives, each bringing a distinct perspective:

• Josh Santiago – Managing Partner, Santiago & Company: As the leader of Santiago & Company and the face of this new venture, Josh Santiago’s leadership blends strategic acumen with a technologist’s curiosity. He has already demonstrated his ability to lead large consulting engagements and drive growth (as DCG’s CSO, he helped the firm achieve over 60% year-on-year growth in sales at one point). Josh’s role now is both CEO of his firm and co-leader of the joint initiative, responsible for thought leadership in AI and strategy. He leads a team recruited without geographic or pedigree limits, then trains them intensively in both classic management consulting frameworks and cutting-edge AI methods. Clients can expect him to be deeply involved in crafting transformation roadmaps that incorporate AI innovations and business model shifts. Josh’s vision is to build Santiago & Company into a premium consulting partner that complements DCG’s technical delivery with world-class advisory insight. “We’re bringing a fresh, agile approach to management consulting, backed by the real-world experience of having implemented these solutions,” he says of the venture.

• Dustin Domerese – DCG Chief Executive Officer: A technology innovator and entrepreneur, Domerese founded Dynamic Consultants Group and steered it to become a prominent Microsoft partner. He is known for his extensive technical expertise across CRM, ERP, and software development, having consulted for hundreds of companies, including industry giants such as Microsoft and HP, early in his career. Domerese's role in the venture is as a sponsor and strategic advisor, ensuring the partnership aligns with DCG's vision and standards. He views the collaboration as part of DCG's broader mission to "guide organizations through complex transitions with innovative solutions. Together we’re creating a consulting model that marries strategic insight with flawless technical execution—giving clients a single team that can architect, implement, and sustain AI‑driven transformation. It’s the next chapter in our mission to guide organizations through complex change with measurable results.”
  

• Ron Kane – DCG Chief Operating Officer: After serving as VP of Marketing and Sales, Ron Kane recently stepped into the role of COO, where he has driven innovation and efficiency within DCG. He brings extensive experience in operations, sales, and marketing across multiple industries. Kane will likely oversee the operational integration of the joint venture. His focus is on execution, ensuring the combined team delivers superior results for clients and that the partnership runs smoothly. In his words, "Operational excellence is where strategy meets reality. We’re integrating delivery frameworks so the joint venture functions as one seamless, high‑performance unit—focused on outcomes, not org charts.”  

Kane's leadership style, characterized by strategic thinking and strong communication, has been instrumental in DCG's growth. Now, he applies those skills to forging a cohesive offering between Santiago & Company and DCG.

Longstanding professional camaraderie and a shared origin story at DCG unite this leadership team. Their mutual trust and clearly defined roles bode well for the venture's execution. Notably, all three leaders emphasize culture as a key ingredient: a culture of innovation, client-centricity, and continuous learning. They intend to blend DCG's entrepreneurial, tech-driven culture with the analytic, AI-forward culture of Santiago & Company. To give readers a quick overview of each firm's profile, the table below summarizes their focus, leadership, and services:

Launch Timeline and Future Outlook

Both firms have set an ambitious timeline, with the joint venture expected to be fully operational by August FY25. In practical terms, this means that throughout the summer of 2025, the partners will finalize go-to-market plans, integrate teams, and begin co-marketing their combined services to prospective clients. Leadership has also outlined milestone targets for the first 12 months following the launch. These include securing a handful of flagship clients in the manufacturing, financial services, and retail sectors. Industries ripe for AI-enabled transformation and delivering measurable outcomes for those early clients as proof of concept. The venture will measure success not just by generating revenue but by creating referenceable case studies where it transforms a client's business or helps an enterprise gain a competitive advantage through its combined approach. "Day one, we want to demonstrate strong and measurable impact," Josh Santiago asserts, underscoring an impatience for delivering results common to both organizations.

The strategic rationale driving this timeline is clear. The sooner the joint venture can show results, the stronger its market positioning will be in an increasingly crowded consulting environment. Larger consulting rivals are also ramping up their AI consulting practices, and tech firms are expanding their professional services to complement their product suites. By launching in Q3 of FY25, Santiago & Company and DCG aim to capture the early-mover advantage in their niche, offering midmarket and enterprise clients an integrated service before those clients commit to other providers.  

Dustin Domerese points out that the timing aligns with budgeting cycles for many companies: "Launching in Q3 positions us perfectly for our clients’ 2026 planning cycles, when demand for AI‑enabled modernization will surge. We intend to be at the table as boards map out those investments, translating aspiration into action."

Looking beyond the launch, the joint venture hints at a broader evolution in the consulting industry. It exemplifies how smaller, nimble firms can partner to outperform established giants. By combining DCG's Microsoft implementation expertise with Santiago & Company's strategic capabilities, they are creating a model that could become increasingly common: a network and platform effect of specialized consultancies collaborating to deliver end-to-end solutions. For DCG, this could be the first of several alumni-led ventures, reinforcing its narrative as a breeding ground for top talent and entrepreneurial leadership; for Santiago & Company, alignment with DCG provides credibility, resources, and a platform to accelerate its growth in the crucial first years.

Shaping the Future Together

As this venture takes flight in Q3 FY25, both firms pledge more than just strategic insight; they'll deliver hard metrics from the outset. Every engagement will track productivity improvements, revenue growth, cost avoidance, and other key performance indicators (KPIs) that demonstrate ROI beyond slide decks. With a joint vision of "MBBS," Santiago & Company and DCG stand ready to help clients not only navigate but also define the AI-powered future. Tangible outcomes will write the story, and by that measure, the best chapters lie ahead. There is a palpable sense of excitement and purpose on both sides. In tone and ambition, the move feels akin to a McKinsey Quarterly headline story – a bold bet on the future of consulting where technology and strategy converge. From Santiago & Company's vantage point, this partnership is about writing a new playbook for digital transformation consulting, one that fully embraces AI as a transformative force. From DCG's perspective, it's about expanding the family while doubling down on what it does best. Both companies share a commitment to driving client success and a belief that the "whole is greater than the sum of its parts" in this venture.

Importantly, the collaboration comes at a time when businesses worldwide are navigating rapid change. In this environment, those who leverage data, AI, and cloud technologies wisely will separate themselves from the pack. Microsoft's strategy in recent years has been to infuse AI into every layer of its software and cloud offerings, signaling to customers that digital transformation is entering a new phase. By uniting a Microsoft-centric implementer with an AI-focused strategist, the Santiago & Company and DCG joint venture is uniquely positioned to align with this trend, ready to help clients turn technological potential into a competitive advantage.

There is still much to unfold. The narrative, like any bold business initiative, will ultimately be written by the results. But standing at the outset, one thing is clear: Santiago & Company and Dynamic Consultants Group are confidently stepping into the future together, intent on helping their clients do the same.