The 2021 Women Leaders In Consulting: Samantha Parish

Since joining Deloitte, she has served clients across a variety of industries with a focus on technology and consumer products. Sam assists clients with complex domestic and cross-border investigations focused on corporate fraud and anti-bribery and corruption related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Sam develops, nurtures, and elevates next-generation female leaders. She sponsors the Global Next Generation Program, which helps gen leaders expand their network, develop leadership skills, and move into global positions. She is a role model for younger women, navigating her career as a full-time working mother of two children, 14 & 11, and demonstrates transparency in managing work and family to create work-life integration.

Sam regularly reports to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, public and private company Audit committees, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Monitors, and the US Department of Justice on allegations of potential FCPA violations, financial statement fraud, conflicts of interest, and on the design, control and effectiveness of client compliance programs. She has presented at the Institute of Internal Auditors, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Ethics and Compliance Officers Association, the Practicing Lawyers Institute, the Association of Corporate Counsel, and The Rock Center for Corporate Governance at Stanford.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

"There are two which helped define my career."

1)"Transferring my career from Australia to the US as a manager via Deloitte's prestigious Global Development Program. This was a critical decision and junction point which helped propel my career to partnership."

2) "Saying yes to my first global leadership role as the Global Financial Advisory Technology, Media, and Telecommunications Industry Leader – and being the first female industry leader. This role allowed me to meet with many inspiring leaders and clients around the world, create global impact, and build a global community of Deloitte practitioners."

"Together, these roles helped me to grow into my current role of Global Clients and Industries for Financial Advisory, where I am defining and future-proofing Deloitte's advisory go-to-market strategy and vision."

What's the best advice—consulting or otherwise—you've ever received?

"Always listen – listen first, ask questions, listen again, and then talk. Clients often come to us with a specific ask, such as a compliance issue or incident to resolve. If we start creating solutions too soon, we may never truly solve the underlying issue. Through active listening, we can reach beyond the symptoms to discover the root cause. There's no better way to build a trusted relationship with your clients than listening."

What advice would you give to a female consultant just beginning her career?

"Say yes with confidence and figure out how to do it later! Opportunities favor the bold, and although saying yes may take you outside your comfort zone, it can also open up a whole new world of challenges and growth. No one is ever 100% ready for the future, and if you wait until you feel 100% the opportunities may have passed you by. So, if someone offers you an amazing opportunity, embrace it and say yes. You've got this!"

What does this recognition mean to you?

"Winning this award is a great honor and a personal milestone. There have been many times when I've struggled to accept compliments, and this award would help to silence the negative voice in my head and motivate me to continue to push on. I've been fortunate to have had strong mentors throughout my career, support from peers, and steadfast sponsorship from leaders. Being recognized as a future leader is another proof point to show that mentorship and sponsorship really do make a tangible difference in developing the next generation of female leaders."