The Global Leaders in Consulting: Beatriz Sanz Saiz

"We are main actors in a moment of disruption; in an era of change. I believe we are contributing to build a better society," she says. "In my case, the focus is on advising large corporations about the possibilities of data and AI to lead this transformative age, all under a framework of ethics and new paradigms of competitiveness."

Ask her what she's most proud of over the course of her career and she says she loves building and growing new business from scratch because that means leaving some legacy and having a social impact. "I've already done that a few times in my career.  I also designed and built the first innovation center of EY, which now has turned into an amazing, EY-wide network of global growth and innovation centers: our EY wavespace network." Sanz Saiz says she feels very much like the "mom" of that network.  

In just the last year or so, Sanz Saiz has had quite a few accomplishments of which to be proud. First is the recognition by top industry analysts of EY as a global leader in data analytics services. "We are tremendously proud of this acknowledgement," she says.   

Second is the critical role that she and EY undertake in the market to advise boards and C- suite executives at large corporations on how to approach artificial intelligence in a consistent way,  ensuring that they build trust—aligned with emerging ethical and social norms—into the AI systems they deploy.

"Third, but not least, is the role I play in re-inventing the traditional solution portfolio for Advisory by building data and AI-led assets that encapsulate EY intellectual property," she says. "I've also heavily contributed to renew our talent agenda."

And from a personal standpoint, Sanz Saiz just completed the adoption of her third child as a single mom. "It was a difficult process and many people told me: 'No, you can't do this!' But I believe if you are passionate about something and persistent, things end up happening." It's only been one month since she returned from China, where her third adopted child was born. "Now, when I see my two other Ethiopian kids together with their new brother, I feel that, yes, it was absolutely worth navigating against every obstacle I had."

Q&A:  What does being recognized as a Global Leader in Consulting mean to you? Your firm? Your clients?

Sanz Saiz: This award is a significant milestone in my career. I look back in my career and remember all the people that have contributed for me to get this recognition. I wouldn't be here today without their trust, the many opportunities they gave me, and the many things they taught me about my career. As said, this is the result of teamwork, and a fantastic recognition to EY. As a single mom, EY has supported me all along in my career and has given me amazing opportunities. This is a recognition to EY for supporting diversity and building a culture of 'People First.' I will celebrate this recognition together with my clients and my team.