Change is a choice.

Years later, and I am still learning and growing in my career as a leader, innovator and change maker at Accenture. Today, I am excited to announce that I am stepping up to lead Accenture's efforts to advance change and continue accelerating equality for all as the next North America Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) Lead. It is a role that I take on proudly, a challenge I confront with equal parts humility and vision, and an opportunity to lead during a time when more of us are making the choice to change.  

Each of us stands on the shoulders of giants. At this time, the words of my dear friend and colleague, Nellie Borrero resonate loudly. Nellie tells us, "Diversity is a fact, but inclusion is a choice we make every day. As leaders, we must put out the message that we embrace, and not just tolerate, diversity.” I am grateful to Nellie for the impact she has made in this role, taking our company and clients on a journey to harness strategies and technologies enabling a more equitable world.

As I look ahead, I am mindful about what this moment in history means for our country, our companies and even our clients and customers. The last 18 months have brought with them a renewed acknowledgement of inequity in society as well as an urgency to act. This time has given us the gift of reflection, as our social separation brings into sharp relief the need to create spaces of true belonging. After all, we know that inclusive spaces inspire cultures of engagement and innovation.

Like many of you, I have been a corporate professional for my entire life. But that is not the entirety of who I am. I am a Black woman, a mother, passionate board member and champion for the arts, and a member of a multi-faith and multi-racial family. We all have different, multiple and often intersecting layers of diversity, all of which shape us. For people of color, indigenous people, trans and queer people, people with disabilities—and yes, even for our allies, advocates and accomplices—the platform to name, honor, and invite these layers of identity into spaces of belonging is more important than ever.

An awareness of the richness of these identities coupled with my commitment to leading with purpose is prompting me with a new mission: help leaders and companies make the choice to accelerate change.

As Accenture's next North America I&D Lead, I will hold myself to the same standards of learning and action that I will ask of you. While I am proud to work for one of the world's most diverse and impactful companies, our leadership knows there is still much more work to be done in this space. So, I am asking each one of us to live into Nellie’s prescient guidance, and to actively practice inclusion, even when it's uncomfortable or uncertain. I look forward to being on this journey together, with our people and clients, and making the choice to learn, act, and accelerate change.