Speaker Spotlight: Julie Sweet – CEO & Chair of Accenture

From the courtroom to the C-suite, Julie Sweet’s leadership journey is the embodiment of strategic reinvention and purpose-driven growth. As the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Accenture, she leads one of the world’s most influential professional services and technology firms, steering innovation at the intersection of people, purpose and cutting-edge enterprise transformation. Known for her commitment to inclusive leadership and future-focused strategy, Julie Sweet’s story is one of visionary leadership in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Accenture CEO Julie Sweet’s Key Career Achievements:

• 2026 — Spoke at an International Forum in Davos on AI Leadership
• 2025 — Named among Forbes World’s Most Powerful Women
• 2022 — Accenture recognised among the World’s Best Workplaces
• 2019 — Appointed Chair & Chief Executive Officer of Accenture, becoming the first woman to lead the firm’s 700,000-plus workforce.
• 2021 — Assumed the additional role of Chair of the Board at Accenture, affirming her strategic leadership.
• 2015 — Became CEO of Accenture North America, the company’s largest geographic market.
• 2010 — Joined Accenture as General Counsel, Secretary & Chief Compliance Officer.
• 1992–2010 — Rose to partner at the elite law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP after 17 years in corporate law.

Julie Sweet’s Biography:

Julie Sweet stands among the most influential leaders in global business, serving as Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Accenture, a multinational professional services and technology powerhouse with a workforce approaching 800,000 people and clients spanning virtually every industry. Her rise to the top of one of the world’s largest consulting and technology firms defies the traditional corporate path: before joining Accenture in 2010, Sweet spent nearly two decades as a corporate lawyer, including more than a decade as a partner at the prestigious law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, where she built deep expertise in complex governance, mergers and strategic counsel.

At Accenture, her legal acumen and strategic mindset translated quickly into business leadership. She was appointed CEO of the company’s largest regional division, Accenture North America, in 2015, before being named CEO of the entire organisation in September 2019 — a historic milestone that made her the first woman to lead the firm. Under her leadership, Sweet has guided Accenture through seismic industry shifts, from large-scale digital and cloud transformation projects to the integration and scaling of artificial intelligence across enterprise clients and internal operations.

Sweet’s leadership philosophy emphasises reinvention, adaptability and human-centred growth, urging leaders to think of themselves as reinventors in an era where technology evolves faster than organisations. She has helped shape a culture at Accenture that balances technological ambition with psychological safety, reinforcing a “progress over perfection” mindset that has contributed to Accenture’s ranking among the World’s Best Workplaces. This culture of agility has been central to Accenture’s ability to navigate rapid change, with Sweet championing continuous learning and reskilling — particularly around AI, cloud and digital tools — as essential drivers of sustainable organisational growth.

Beyond operational leadership, Sweet’s impact extends to the broader business community. She has been recognised by TIME as a transformative leader at the intersection of technology and societal progress, advocating for responsible and inclusive practices while steering Accenture’s growth in ways that consider both innovation and ethical impact. Under her guidance, Accenture has strengthened its reputation for harnessing emerging technologies responsibly while building cultures that support employees and clients alike.

Through her tenure, Julie Sweet has redefined what modern corporate leadership looks like, integrating strategic vision, operational excellence and a commitment to people-centred transformation at every level of one of the world’s most influential companies.

Source: Accenture, TIME, Business Chief, Great Place To Work & Columbia Business School

Julie Sweet – A Renowned Voice on Leadership, Vision & Growth

Julie Sweet is a compelling voice for any forward-looking event because her insights go beyond traditional leadership narratives and speak directly to the challenges organisations face in today’s era of digital acceleration and cultural transformation. Her core perspective on leadership is rooted in continuous reinvention and human-centred growth, which makes her speaking voice especially powerful for audiences navigating technological disruption and the integration of AI into business strategy. She explains that success in the age of AI and digital transformation requires more than technical expertise. It demands a culture where people are empowered to learn, adapt and thrive, and where new mindsets and reskilling pathways unlock the true potential of emerging technologies.

Julie resonates with leaders across sectors because they emphasise both human development and strategic courage, a balance that has helped Accenture be recognised among the World’s Best Workplaces, with a culture that prioritises progress over perfection and places employee development at the heart of organisational success. Her influence also extends to major global business platforms, including the Business Roundtable, where she contributes to important technology and policy discussions.

Her personal journey from practising law to leading one of the world’s most respected companies has ensured that Julie Sweet offers meaningful and practical leadership insight.

Sources: Great Place To Work & Business Roundtable

Hire a Female Business Leader Today!

Here at The Female Motivational Speakers Agency, we have the pleasure of working with various expert speakers whose inspiring business careers provide them with empowering advice to share with event audiences. Figures like Julie Sweet speak on how continuous innovation, clear decision-making and a disciplined approach have a great impact on organisational performance.

For expert guidance on who the top female business speakers are, read this exclusive selection of the Top Trending Women in Business Speakers to Hire for Events. Alternativley, view our full roster to find your perfect women in business speaker today.

Contact The Female Motivational Speakers Agency today to hire amazing businesswomen, like Baroness Karren Brady, Deborah Meaden, and  Sahar Hashemi, for your next event. Call one of our dedicated booking agents on 0203 9158 282 or complete our online contact form to begin the hiring process.