Accenture: An insider guide - Gymkhana

technology,” says one insider. Another says, “When I was hired in, not many
women were hired at the same time. I think that’s just coincidence, though. On
my current project, more than half of my team members are female and they
hold positions at all levels.”
In 1995, Accenture leadership created a U.S. Women’s Initiatives team composed
of eight women partners and led by Managing Partner Pam Craig. These women
represent all U.S. regions and industries and work closely with the firm’s CEO to
identify strategies that will attract, retain, promote, and advance women at
Accenture. Some of the programs include local women’s initiatives (31 women’s
teams in U.S. offices), mentoring/sponsorship, training, and work-life integration.
The firm works hard to make it possible for working mothers to achieve a worklife
balance, with such options as part-time schedules and job sharing.
The Workplace
“Accenture gives great emphasis to providing opportunities for personal growth
and advancement for women,” says a female insider. “Additionally, all of my
mentors at Accenture have been men—each of whom has shown an enormous
interest in providing feedback and helping me achieve my personal goals and
aspirations.”
Accenture’s efforts earned it the praise and notice of outsiders. In September
2003, the firm made its debut on Working Mother’s 18th annual “100 Best
Companies for Working Mothers.” That same year it won a Catalyst award for
its efforts to include women in its workforce. Catalyst, a nonprofit research and
advisory organization working to advance women in business and the professions,
honors innovative approaches with proven results taken by companies attempting
to address the recruitment, development, and advancement of all managerial women,
including women of color.
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