Cyndi Izzo 
KPMG
Excellence in Client Services
When asked about her greatest personal or professional achievement, Cyndi Izzo says Bar none, that she is the mother of four daughters. She considers it her greatest achievement as well as her most beautiful reward. "The fact that my girls identify me not only as their mom but also as their role model … well, that's my top priority and my beacon," she beams. Her second-born daughter, Devyn, once wrote, "Cyndi's success can be attributed to her persistent work ethic in both her personal and business life" in a college essay titled "My Hero — A Fighter: Cyndi Perez Izzo." balancing motherhood with a demanding career she was overwhelmed to receive that validation after years of working so hard and so long.. Her daughters often hear her on the phone as a senior leader mentoring young professionals saying, "it's OK to learn from their mistakes" or to "be gentle with themselves." "To know that they see the authenticity in these words as they see me living by them feels pretty darn good."
Among the unique challenges Izzo has faced in her career, she says, "I would say this is two-fold. And let's be honest. Women in the technology field have experienced and continue to experience very real challenges. The specifics have varied over the years, but they have existed — and still exist even for newcomers. Which, of course, is why it remains so very critical that strong female leaders in our industry support and nurture those entering the field. Beyond that, support each other!" She continues, "Now, for me, coming up as a Latina professional, my Mexican heritage has afforded me firsthand insight and perhaps the understanding to relate better to a more diverse and global workforce, which of course is not entirely unique. But it has certainly helped as I have sought to serve as an advocate and connector of women in the technology services industry."
Izzo describes her recognition as a Consulting Women Leaders in Technology recipient as an incredibly humbling experience. "And, in truth, this is a testament to both my phenomenal mentors and teams, past and present. They have been composed of strong, talented, and diverse women and men. That being said, one of my chief objectives is to not only serve as a mentor and role model to aspiring women but also to serve as a true advocate and a sponsor." She believes that being a leader in technology today means being a leader of global business and culture, of people, of technical expertise, and so much more. She notes, "As a female leader, it is more than just an obligation to impart my experience to the next generation and to help fuel their success. It is one of my greatest opportunities. It is, in fact, a gift."
Q&A: What would you say is the best advice (consulting or otherwise) you've ever received?
"My mother — my biggest supporter — always told me that I could be anything I wanted to be and that I should never forget that. I, in turn, tell this to my girls. She came to the United States from Mexico with my grandmother in the '50s with no English language skills and no knowledge of American culture, and they still managed to establish themselves and build a strong family. That was my mother's dream. Honestly, it's so simple and yet so powerful. 'You can be anything you want to be.' When you have that, combined with the encouragement and support of someone who believes in you, you grow up knowing anything is possible. I never ever forgot that. And I never, ever will."
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