The 2022 Women Leaders In Consulting: Tara Whitehead Stotland

Tara currently serves as Partner in the Strategy practice of Cognizant Digital Business where she is accountable for all consulting efforts at key accounts including Comcast, Cox, CVS Health, Abbott Labs and Gilead. Before her current role, Tara acted as the Chief Digital Officer for Cognizant's Communications industry segment. Recent projects have included transforming the way field service techs engage in the Connected Home experience, creating an Automation Factor for a Retail health care organization and creating new Connected Home products and services for end consumers.

Tara served on the Emory University Alumni Board for six years and the Goizueta Business School Alumni board for six years (Two years as President). She currently sits on the WICT Greater Texas Board as Chapter adviser, STEM Board at Parish Episcopal School of Dallas and serves as a Director of Women That Soar, a media company based in Dallas. Tara also serves as vice president for FLITE to Freedom, a nonprofit that is working to help fight human trafficking and domestic violence.

In 2018, Tara received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the WICT Greater Texas Chapter for her contributions in raising Women up in the Communications Industry. Tara has an MBA from Goizueta Business School at Emory; an International MBA from Nyenrode Business School in the Netherlands; and a dual BA/BBA degree from Southern Methodist University.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

My greatest personal achievement is similar to my professional contributions—Raising Women and young ladies up to success in order to support their STEAM related passions. During my tenure at Cognizant, I was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from WICT Greater Texas, was invited to participate in the SMU Digital Advisory Board, and was nominated and accepted to participate in Emory University's Women of Impact Board. I also lead Cognizant's Women Empowered Sell Council. This recognition, while important, reflects my passion for mentoring, supporting and honoring Women.

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

Success is a journey not a destination. Try not to get caught up in the "small challenges," and focus on the challenges that matter most to you and your clients. And, yes the journey, while still more challenging for women, is 100% attainable if you maintain your professional composure and "don't sweat the small stuff." Life is too short – you want to balance excellent career success with personal passion.

What do you enjoy most about your consulting career?

I have been afforded the opportunity to work on 4 continents and have visited all 7 which has expanded my perspective and taught me to respect diverse viewpoints. It has also made me acutely aware that culture is an extremely important aspect of solving client business challenges.

What's the best advice—personal or professional—you've ever received?

Change is constant, and more than ever before, our people make the difference with client relationships. With the stresses of COVID, remote working and long hours, connecting with our teams matter.

I have had excellent mentors – both in the professional and academic worlds. But probably the most profound advice I have received came from one of my role models – my Grandfather. "Stay true to yourself. If you stick to your convictions, you will succeed in Life. Because people cannot take your integrity away from you – you have to give it away. Never, ever compromise your morals or values." This same guidance has been given to me by many of my mentors along my career path.

What does being honored as a Woman Leader in Consulting mean to you?

Words cannot convey how much the honor of being nominated alone means to me. I have been fortunate to attend the Consulting Magazine awards events in the past, and this organization only recognizes the "best of the best." It would one of the greatest honors of my career, and I hope that it will inspire my peers, my mentees, and my network to strive for excellence. In fact, this award is nothing short of honoring excellence and leadership.