The 2022 Women Leaders In Consulting: Linda Castaneda

As the EY Americas Consulting Deputy Vice Chair, Linda Castaneda leads EY's 25,000+ consultants across the Americas. She is responsible for all aspects of the Americas Consulting strategy & operations, including growth, transformation, talent, brand and culture. Before this, she served as EY Americas West Region Consulting Managing Partner leading regional consulting go-to-market strategy, working with account teams and industry leaders to bring innovative solutions and experiences to EY clients to help them transform their businesses.

With more than 25 years of management consulting experience and a significant background in the energy industry, Linda has served both global integrated and US Independent oil and gas companies and helped establish and grow the EY Americas Oil & Gas practice by delivering large scale business and technology transformations.

Linda is a passionate advocate of the diversity agenda and takes pride in helping build the next generation of women consulting leaders, providing them with both growth opportunities and flexible work arrangements. In her community, she serves as the Co-Chair of the Economic Leadership Council for the Texas Women's Foundation and serves currently on the boards of Genesys Works and SpringSpirit.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

By far my greatest achievement in life has been raising my four children to become the successful young adults they are today – everything else is just icing on the cake. Professionally, I am immensely proud of the role I played in bringing together our regions under OneEY and helping to develop a team and culture that remains as a tangible testament of those efforts.

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

Don't assume others know more than you do. When starting your career, it can be hard to find confidence in who you are as a person. However, if you stay true to yourself and make your voice heard when you are young, it will pay off in spades later in your career.

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

Don't be afraid to be your true self at work. Early in my career, I made it clear to my colleagues that I was a mother first. This resolve set me apart and allowed me to bring a different perspective to my engagements. I will forever appreciate those who championed for me to stand out, even amid a very male-dominated industry.

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

More than anything, this honor proves to me that I made the right decision early in my career to prioritize the right balance in life. I am proof that you can be committed to your family while creating a successful career for yourself. I hope this honor serves as motivation for those young mothers in the trenches today, looking to balance what's both best for their family and their career.