Retired Senior Partner, Accenture
Why did you decide to come to Leeds?
My undergraduate major was in Business at the University of Arizona. When I was considering an MBA, I had an economics professor who highly recommended the University of Colorado Business School. He knew some professors at the school and believed it was a high-quality program. I came and took at look and fell in love with both the school and the beauty of the setting (as so many do!)
What is one thing you learned at Leeds that you will never forget?
The power of using my brain. As an undergraduate, I did well in my classes and had a great experience. At Leeds, I really learned how to hone my analysis skills and use critical thinking in my classes and in my case groups. I learned how to analyze facts, listen, come to conclusions and present my conclusions in front of groups. That set me up well for a consulting career!
Tell us about a particular professor or mentor that influenced you while you were at Leeds.
There was a professor in my MBA program, Dr. Monarchy. He taught an Operations Management class that had a particularly challenging project that was a big part of our grade. We were in groups of 3-4 and it pulled together many components of what it took to enact a real-life simulation--computer programming, calculus, queuing theory, customer and business analysis and more. It was intimidating and there was minimal guidance on the project. We had to think for ourselves, figure it out and find resources to help if we needed them. We even contacted colleagues in the engineering school for help. It was a real-life introduction to consulting, the power of resourcefulness and the power of debate and delegation to get a significant project done. I have never forgotten the lessons of teamwork, reaching out for help and achieving a goal that seemed out of reach at the beginning. It embodied many lessons I took with me to my career.
Where has life taken you since you graduated Leeds?
I spent 24 years as a consultant with Accenture working with technology and then leading a practice in Human Performance, and then another 8 years with a boutique consulting firm. When people asked me if I used my MBA (emphasis in Finance), I said yes--each and every day I used the critical and independent thinking and analytical skills I learned at Leeds. It was a key part of my success!
As one of the first female partners in Denver at Accenture who was also raising a family, I learned I had to find my voice to advocate for my leadership and create a path forward so that other women could see that they could do it, too.
What is one piece of advice/best practice that has stuck with you throughout your career?
Always be prepared to tell your story. As a young person building a career, be prepared to talk to your bosses and leadership about the work you are doing and what you're learning. They will get to know you outside of the formal evaluation process and know who you are as opportunities arise. As a leader, tell your story of how you lead and how you integrate your work and life. Those coming up behind you are hungry to hear your lessons and it allows you to humanize yourself to those on your team.'
Network, network, network--whether it is within your company, with your clients or with organizations you are a part of outside of your job. Too often, we leave it until we need it. It's a huge advantage when it comes to looking for new jobs, recommending others for jobs, seeking board positions or simply seeking wisdom or counsel from those outside of your company.
Find a mentor(s) who can guide you as you face challenges and look for opportunities in your career.
What advice would you give to anyone interested in pursuing a career in your professional field?
Do your research, build your resume with relevant classes and experiences, get an internship with a company you are interested in and begin building your network so that you have connections that can help refer you to a company you are interested in.
What do you miss most about Boulder?
The beautiful location and the wonderful camaraderie I shared with those in my MBA cohort as we worked hard, job searched and had fun.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
As you progress in your career, remember to reach a hand forward and a hand back.