The 2023 Women Leaders in Consulting: Anesa Parker

Nes Parker is a Principal leading Sustainability, Climate and Equity for Deloitte's Government & Public Services (GPS) Practice. Nes has led strategy-led transformations for government, nonprofit and philanthropic clients to achieve outcomes that are good and equitable for people, planet and prosperity.

Nes is passionate about applying Deloitte's capabilities and solutions to social causes. She was a founder and leader of Deloitte's Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT) Community, Refugee Community of Interest (RCOI), and Deloitte to International (D2i) teams over the years which support various pro bono projects and thought leadership.

She serves on the board of Free the Slaves and is an advisor to the board for Survivor Alliance, which lead the fight against modern-day slavery and elevate the voices of experts with lived experience.

Nes holds a BA from Vassar College and a MPA from Columbia University. She is based in Washington, with her partner and their English Bulldog.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

As one of my heroes, Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said: "I have had more than a little bit of luck in my life, but nothing equals in magnitude to my marriage." Justice Ginsburg's remarks resonate with me when I think about my own marriage to my husband, Matt and our 20 years together. I had the honor of meeting Matt while we were both studying at Vassar College and I was on my first October break. He was a dangerously smart basketball player and I was an excited 18-year-old and coxswain for our Brewers. From that first date on that crisp fall day, my life changed for the better.

We've dealt with the Poughkeepsie winter and marveled at the cherry blossoms blooming in Japan. Now, we wade through the DC summers with our English bulldog, Ferris, in tow. Throughout our 20 years together, we've supported each other in our goals and desires.

I've seen firsthand the passion he has for teaching, and I chuckle thinking of him teaching students about the scientific method, over Zoom, in our DC apartment. He's been my confidant and my No. 1 supporter throughout my own career.

He was there throughout the lengthy Deloitte partnership process. He's been there as I have stepped into my new role as the Sustainability, Climate and Equity leader for our US government practice. Above all, he's been there for the hard days and long days to remind me of the trust and acknowledgment my colleagues have in me.

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

As my friends and colleagues know, I am a Swiftie – a Taylor Swift fan. She's an artist I admire for her poetic grace, storytelling abilities, and the advice she gives in songs and in interviews. There's a quote of hers that I find myself thinking about frequently: "Life is like walking, you take one step at a time."

This message reminds me to be present. It anchors me in focusing on what I can. To enjoy myself in that moment. I'm not always the best applying this advice. Our profession requires a lot from us, constantly going from meetings, speaking engagements and at times, airports.

For example, recently, I had the honor of serving as a moderator at a panel on inclusive climate resiliency at the Aspen Ideas Festival. The reality is that I didn't know I was going to be moderating the panel until the day before when we learned that our original moderator would no longer be able to attend due to flight issues. As I worked on being agile and adjusted my talking points, I had to remind myself of those words I needed to practice: be present. It's not every day that I can take in the breathtaking sights in Aspen. To no one's surprise, the panel was a success. But the best part of it all was a full circle moment where I had the opportunity to be able to run into and reconnect with an old college professor – well that, and meeting Katie Couric.

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

My mother is Cuban and like anyone who comes from an immigrant family knows, the expectations are plentiful. Growing up, my mom, Estrella, would remind me that I had to be twice as good as any man and as my white counterparts to get just as far.

As I moved through my undergrad at Vassar, to graduate school at Columbia, and settled into my career at Deloitte I remembered my mom's words. Or at least part of it. The truth is, I've come to amend her words to fit my own environment.

The advice that I would give to a young female consultant, particularly one who doesn't always see herself reflected in leadership is this: it's not about being twice as good but rather being twice as strategic and wise. When I think about my own career, I've come to the realization that my background is my superpower. I've had an opportunity to not only recognize where inequities lie, but I've had the opportunity to approach those inequities and come in with a point of view that is solution-oriented and that keeps the perspectives of those like me at the forefront.

It's not always easy and sometimes we find ourselves having to exert a little more grace and choosing our battles carefully. But when that difficulty shows up, know that you have me. You have allies. You have a network who is willing to guide and show you the ropes so that you can be our next generation of leaders.

What does this recognition mean to you?

Our profession is a craft and like any craft, we are all trying to master and integrate many skills and industry insights all of the time in an ever-evolving market. This recognition would mean the world to me because it would represent an acknowledgment of the impact I have worked to make at Deloitte through our anti-human trafficking efforts and emphasize that the work I'm leading now in sustainability not only matters but represents the future of our business.

Our profession has come such a long way in just a few short years. We are openly talking about the impact that sustainability, climate and equity has not only on our world but also on the most vulnerable populations. I'm incredibly honored that I get to lead the helm for our government practice at Deloitte and oversee work that tackles issues from droughts to wildfire and the way in which these climate issues can deepen existing social inequities. The work that I do that many of us in the ESG world do, is one that emphasizes urgency and that acknowledges that we have to make space for equity, for healing, for justice. We know that this work is far from over. In my role, I will continue to lead the charge to advance our ESG efforts, to make sure that voices that aren't traditionally represented get a seat at the table, and to create a future that centers around people, planet and prosperity.