Annette Rippert 
Accenture
Excellence in Leadership
Annette Rippert says it's an honor to be recognized for Excellence in Leadership because as a leader, she strives to create a high-energy, collaborative culture that brings out the best performance of her teams. "I work hard to bring individuals with diverse perspectives and skills to the table to work together. It's about amplifying the power of what can be done as a team, rather than as an individual. That's how we work across the strategy & consulting business I lead, and how we operate more broadly at Accenture with our clients and our partners. This dynamic energy – making the whole greater than the sum of our parts – is what enables us to bring value to clients and enables our people to unlock their full potential. It is both a responsibility and a privilege to empower this unique way of working. To be recognized for my leadership in this way is an honor."
Rippert acknowledges that early on in her career there weren't many senior female leaders in the industry and, while representation has increased, there's still a significant gender gap in the field. "We know, from research we've done with Girls Who Code, that 50% of women in tech roles leave those positions by age 35 – that's a huge percentage. We need to really commit to fostering female leaders in the workplace – helping them build the skills, tools, and connections that will enable them to succeed long-term in their careers. This includes mentorship and sponsorship, as well as programs that help women return to the workforce."
The best advice she has received came from a college professor who encouraged her to focus her efforts on something she really loved to do. "His advice was pivotal. Instead of following my original path as a pre-med student (I hated biochemistry), I turned towards computer science and electrical engineering which was not only easy for me academically, but something I enjoyed. Today, I encourage employees to find their passions and keep seeking new opportunities to learn about themselves and what excites them. In consulting, every day brings a new challenge as we help clients rethink how they operate, create new growth, pursue their sustainability goals and upskill their workforce to prepare for tomorrow. There is a deep satisfaction that comes from conquering complexity and creating new value. This is the work I love."
Q&A: What is your greatest personal or professional achievement?
"My greatest achievement is, in fact, a story of combined personal and professional achievement versus one or the other. I am fortunate to work in an organization that supported me as I built my career while also raising a family. My undergraduate degree in electrical engineering and computer science gave me a strong technology foundation that fueled my career growth in technology, delivering leading-edge solutions. I went on to earn my MBA so I could look at problem-solving through a business lens. This blend of expertise helped me to navigate my clients through some of the world's most interesting technology and business challenges. It has been a rewarding and exciting journey. Mid-career, I stepped out to be a full-time mother to my five boys. This was a wholly different leadership experience! When I was ready to return to work, our CEO at the time played an active part in crafting my next role and fostering a path for my future success. His demonstration of sponsorship stays with me to this day and influences the way I chose to support my own employees. I recognize that my leadership style and my achievements have all been shaped by these broad-ranging experiences. I'm grateful for these personal and professional opportunities, as they have given me the knowledge and experience to lead our business through the next era of rapid change and growth."
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