Julie Sweet: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Julie Sweet
| name         = Julie Sweet
| birth_name = Julie Terese Spellman
| image        = Julie Sweet at the World Economic Forum.jpg
| birth_date = 1967
| alt          = A woman with short blonde hair wearing a blue jacket speaks at a podium in front of a World Economic Forum backdrop
| birth_place = United States
| caption      = Sweet at the World Economic Forum in 2019
| nationality = American
| birth_name   = Julie Terese Spellman
| education = Columbia University (JD)
| birth_date   = 1967
| occupation = Business executive, attorney
| nationality = American
| title = Chair and CEO, [[Accenture]]
| education   = Columbia University (JD)
| children = 2
| occupation   = Business executive, attorney
| website = {{URL|https://www.accenture.com/us-en/about/leadership/julie-sweet}}
| title       = Chair and CEO, Accenture
| known_for    = Leading Accenture as its first female CEO
| children     = 2
| website     = {{URL|https://www.accenture.com/us-en/about/leadership/julie-sweet}}
}}
}}


'''Julie Terese Sweet''' (née '''Spellman''', born 1967) is an American business executive and attorney who serves as chair and chief executive officer (CEO) of [[Accenture]], a multinational professional services and consulting company. Appointed CEO in September 2019, she became the first woman to lead the firm in its history, taking the helm of a company that at the time employed approximately half a million people worldwide.<ref name="theceomagazine">{{cite web |title=Julie Sweet: First female CEO of Accenture |url=https://www.theceomagazine.com/business/articles/julie-sweet-first-female-ceo-accenture/ |publisher=The CEO Magazine |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Before rising to the top of Accenture, Sweet spent more than a decade as a corporate attorney at the elite law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore, where she became a partner — a trajectory that shaped her approach to leadership and strategic thinking.<ref name="nyt-corneroffice">{{cite news |last=Gelles |first=David |date=2019-01-02 |title=Accenture's C.E.O. on Learning to Let Go |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/business/julie-sweet-accenture-corner-office.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Under her leadership, Accenture has become one of the largest technology services companies in the world, with recent quarterly revenues reaching $17.7 billion.<ref name="aol-revenue">{{cite news |date=2026-02-22 |title=Accenture boss Julie Sweet met 30 global CEOs in the past 2 months, and nearly all of them are scrambling to roll out more AI |url=https://www.aol.com/accenture-boss-julie-sweet-met-122741766.html |work=AOL.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Sweet has been recognized as one of ''Fortune'' magazine's Most Powerful Women and has become a prominent voice in global business discussions on artificial intelligence, workforce transformation, and corporate diversity.<ref name="fortune-mpw">{{cite web |title=Julie Sweet |url=https://fortune.com/most-powerful-women/2020/julie-sweet/ |publisher=Fortune |date=2020 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
'''Julie Terese Sweet''' (née '''Spellman'''; born 1967) is an American business executive and attorney who serves as the chair and chief executive officer (CEO) of [[Accenture]], a multinational professional services and consulting company. Sweet became Accenture's CEO on September 1, 2019, making her the first woman to lead the firm in its history.<ref name="theceomagazine">{{cite web |title=Julie Sweet: first female CEO of Accenture |url=https://www.theceomagazine.com/business/articles/julie-sweet-first-female-ceo-accenture/ |publisher=The CEO Magazine |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Before ascending to the top role, she served as CEO of Accenture's North America business, the company's largest geographic market. Prior to joining Accenture, Sweet spent a decade as a corporate attorney at [[Cravath, Swaine & Moore]], one of New York's most prominent law firms, where she became a partner.<ref name="law360">{{cite news |title=Accenture Taps Ex-Cravath Partner As New CEO |url=https://www.law360.com/articles/1177615/accenture-taps-ex-cravath-partner-as-new-ceo |work=Law360 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Her appointment as CEO of Accenture, a company with hundreds of thousands of employees worldwide and revenues exceeding $40 billion, placed her among a small number of women leading [[Fortune Global 500]] companies.<ref name="fortune-global">{{cite news |title=Women Lead Only 2.8% of Fortune Global 500 Companies |url=https://fortune.com/2019/07/22/women-lead-only-2-8-of-fortune-global-500-companies-the-broadsheet/ |work=Fortune |date=2019-07-22 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Under her leadership, Accenture has emphasized digital transformation, artificial intelligence adoption, and workforce reinvention as central pillars of its corporate strategy.


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Julie Terese Spellman was born in 1967 in the United States. Details about her upbringing and family background prior to her higher education are limited in publicly available sources. In interviews, Sweet has discussed the formative experiences that shaped her career philosophy, including the importance of being open to unexpected opportunities. In a widely cited piece of advice she has offered to students and young professionals, Sweet has emphasized the value of never turning down new experiences and challenges, a principle she has described as central to her own career trajectory.<ref name="toi-goldenrule">{{cite news |date=2026-02-20 |title=Accenture CEO Julie Sweet's golden rule for students: 'Never say no to…' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/careers/news/accenture-ceo-julie-sweets-golden-rule-for-students-never-say-no-to/articleshow/128594101.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Julie Terese Spellman was born in 1967 in the United States. In a 2019 interview with ''[[The New York Times]]'', Sweet discussed elements of her upbringing and the influences that shaped her career trajectory. She recounted that she did not initially envision a career in business or corporate leadership, and that her path evolved through a series of decisions and opportunities rather than following a predetermined plan.<ref name="nyt-corner">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2019-01-02 |title=Julie Sweet of Accenture: 'Never Say No to an Opportunity' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/business/julie-sweet-accenture-corner-office.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Sweet has spoken publicly about the importance of remaining open to new experiences and not turning down opportunities, a principle she has described as formative in her own development.<ref name="toi-golden-rule">{{cite news |date=2026-02-20 |title=Accenture CEO Julie Sweet's golden rule for students: 'Never say no to…' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/careers/news/accenture-ceo-julie-sweets-golden-rule-for-students-never-say-no-to/articleshow/128594101.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Sweet has spoken about how her career path was not linear and that leadership transitions often begin not with certainty but with hesitation, followed by a decision that alters the course of one's professional life.<ref name="toi-goldenrule" /> These reflections have been part of her broader public commentary on career development and the qualities necessary for success in corporate leadership.
Sweet has noted that leadership transitions and career shifts often begin not with certainty but with hesitation, followed by decisions that alter the course of one's professional life. She has cited this perspective in public remarks directed at students and early-career professionals, encouraging them to embrace uncertainty and take on unfamiliar challenges.<ref name="toi-golden-rule" />


== Education ==
== Education ==


Sweet earned a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree from [[Claremont McKenna College]], a private liberal arts college in Claremont, California.<ref name="accenture-bio">{{cite web |title=Julie Sweet — Chair & CEO |url=https://www.accenture.com/us-en/about/leadership/julie-sweet |publisher=Accenture |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> She subsequently attended [[Columbia Law School]] at [[Columbia University]], where she earned her [[Juris Doctor]] (JD) degree.<ref name="accenture-bio" /> Her legal education at Columbia provided the foundation for a career that would begin in corporate law before transitioning to business leadership. The combination of a liberal arts undergraduate education and rigorous legal training has been cited in profiles of Sweet as having contributed to her analytical and strategic approach to business management.<ref name="nyt-corneroffice" />
Sweet attended [[Claremont McKenna College]] in [[Claremont, California]], where she earned a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree.<ref name="accenture-bio">{{cite web |title=Julie Sweet – Leadership |url=https://www.accenture.com/us-en/about/leadership/julie-sweet |publisher=Accenture |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> She subsequently enrolled at [[Columbia Law School]] at [[Columbia University]] in New York City, where she earned her [[Juris Doctor]] (JD) degree.<ref name="accenture-bio" /> Her legal education at Columbia positioned her for a career in corporate law, and she joined the prominent New York law firm [[Cravath, Swaine & Moore]] after completing her degree.<ref name="law360" />


== Career ==
== Career ==
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=== Legal Career at Cravath, Swaine & Moore ===
=== Legal Career at Cravath, Swaine & Moore ===


After completing her law degree at Columbia, Sweet joined [[Cravath, Swaine & Moore]], one of the most prestigious law firms in the United States, based in New York City. She spent more than a decade at the firm, eventually rising to the position of partner.<ref name="law360">{{cite web |title=Accenture Taps Ex-Cravath Partner As New CEO |url=https://www.law360.com/articles/1177615/accenture-taps-ex-cravath-partner-as-new-ceo |publisher=Law360 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> At Cravath, Sweet practiced corporate law, gaining extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and complex financial transactions. The firm's lockstep compensation and rigorous training model are well known in the legal industry, and Sweet's tenure there provided her with deep expertise in corporate strategy and governance that would prove valuable in her later business career.<ref name="businessinsider">{{cite news |title=Accenture's Julie Sweet on switching careers |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/accenture-julie-sweet-switch-careers-2019-1 |work=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
After graduating from Columbia Law School, Sweet began her legal career at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, one of the most established corporate law firms in the United States. She spent approximately a decade at the firm, where she practiced corporate law and rose to the position of partner.<ref name="law360" /> At Cravath, Sweet worked on complex corporate transactions and developed expertise in areas relevant to large multinational companies. Her time at the firm provided her with a deep understanding of corporate governance, regulatory frameworks, and the legal dimensions of business strategy.


Sweet has spoken publicly about the decision to leave a successful partnership at Cravath, noting that the transition from law to business required a willingness to take risks and embrace uncertainty. In a 2019 interview with ''The New York Times'', she discussed the challenges of learning to let go of the control and precision that characterized legal work in order to adapt to the broader, more ambiguous demands of corporate leadership.<ref name="nyt-corneroffice" />
Sweet has discussed her decision to leave a successful legal career at Cravath in multiple interviews. In a 2019 profile in ''Business Insider'', she described the thought process behind her career switch from law to business, noting that the transition was not without risk but was driven by a desire to take on broader operational responsibilities and leadership challenges beyond those available in a law firm setting.<ref name="bi-switch">{{cite news |title=Accenture's Julie Sweet on switching careers |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/accenture-julie-sweet-switch-careers-2019-1 |work=Business Insider |date=2019-01 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Joining Accenture ===
=== Accenture: General Counsel and North America CEO ===


Sweet joined Accenture in 2010 as general counsel, bringing her legal expertise to the multinational professional services firm. The move from a top-tier law firm to an in-house corporate role represented a significant career pivot.<ref name="businessinsider" /> At Accenture, she quickly expanded her responsibilities beyond the legal function. Her ability to navigate complex corporate matters and her strategic thinking drew the attention of senior leadership, and she was given progressively larger roles within the organization.<ref name="nyt-corneroffice" />
Sweet joined Accenture in 2010 as the company's general counsel, a role that drew upon her legal background while placing her within the leadership structure of a major global corporation.<ref name="accenture-bio" /> In this position, she oversaw Accenture's legal affairs, compliance, and corporate governance functions. Her role as general counsel also gave her exposure to the full breadth of Accenture's operations across its various business segments and geographic markets.


In 2015, Sweet was appointed CEO of Accenture's North America business, one of the company's largest and most important operating units. In this role, she oversaw approximately 50,000 employees and was responsible for a significant portion of the company's global revenue. Her leadership of the North America unit was marked by a focus on digital transformation, cloud computing, and the integration of new technology capabilities into Accenture's consulting and services offerings.<ref name="accenture-bio" /><ref name="consulting-us">{{cite web |title=Accenture appoints Julie Sweet as Chief Executive Officer |url=https://www.consulting.us/news/2552/accenture-appoints-julie-sweet-as-chief-executive-officer |publisher=Consulting.us |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In 2015, Sweet was appointed CEO of Accenture's North America business, the company's largest market by revenue.<ref name="consulting-us">{{cite web |title=Accenture appoints Julie Sweet as Chief Executive Officer |url=https://www.consulting.us/news/2552/accenture-appoints-julie-sweet-as-chief-executive-officer |publisher=Consulting.us |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> This role represented a significant expansion of her responsibilities, moving her from a legal and advisory function into direct operational leadership of a major business unit. As North America CEO, Sweet was responsible for managing client relationships, driving revenue growth, and overseeing the strategic direction of Accenture's operations across the United States and Canada. Her tenure in this role was viewed as a proving ground for the broader CEO position, as North America accounted for a substantial portion of Accenture's global revenue.<ref name="wsj-ceo">{{cite news |title=Accenture Chooses New Chief Executive |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/accenture-chooses-new-chief-executive-11562876160 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=2019-07-11 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Her tenure leading the North America business was viewed as a proving ground for the eventual CEO role. During this period, Sweet also became increasingly involved in Accenture's global strategy, particularly around workforce diversity and inclusion initiatives. Under her leadership, Accenture North America pursued aggressive diversity targets and implemented programs aimed at increasing the representation of women and minorities at all levels of the organization.<ref name="usatoday-diversity">{{cite news |title=T-Mobile, Google, FedEx, Intuit among best encouraging diversity |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2019/06/25/t-mobile-google-fedex-intuit-among-best-encouraging-diversity/1509253001/ |work=USA Today |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
=== Appointment as CEO of Accenture ===


=== Appointment as CEO ===
On July 11, 2019, Accenture announced that its board of directors had selected Sweet to succeed [[David P. Pierre|Pierre Nanterme]] (who had resigned in January 2019 due to health issues and subsequently died) as the company's next CEO, effective September 1, 2019.<ref name="wsj-ceo" /><ref name="nyt-ceo">{{cite news |date=2019-07-11 |title=Julie Sweet Named Chief Executive of Accenture |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/11/business/julie-sweet-accenture-ceo.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The appointment was covered by major financial and business publications, including ''The Wall Street Journal'', ''The New York Times'', ''The Financial Times'', and ''Fortune''.<ref name="ft-ceo">{{cite news |title=Accenture names Julie Sweet as new chief executive |url=https://www.ft.com/content/c87616c4-a3fc-11e9-a282-2df48f366f7d |work=Financial Times |date=2019-07-11 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="fortune-sweet">{{cite news |title=Accenture's New CEO Julie Sweet |url=https://fortune.com/2019/07/11/accenture-new-ceo-julie-sweet/ |work=Fortune |date=2019-07-11 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


On July 11, 2019, Accenture announced that Sweet would succeed [[David Rowland]] as the company's chief executive officer, effective September 1, 2019. The appointment made her the first woman to serve as CEO in the company's history.<ref name="theceomagazine" /><ref name="wsj-ceo">{{cite news |title=Accenture Chooses New Chief Executive |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/accenture-chooses-new-chief-executive-11562876160 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The announcement was covered extensively in major business publications, with outlets noting the significance of a woman leading one of the world's largest professional services firms.
Sweet's selection made her the first woman to serve as CEO of Accenture in the company's history.<ref name="theceomagazine" /> At the time of her appointment, ''Fortune'' noted that women led only 2.8 percent of Fortune Global 500 companies, underscoring the relative rarity of women in the top leadership positions at the world's largest corporations.<ref name="fortune-global" /> Her background as a former Cravath partner was also noted as unusual for a CEO of a major technology and consulting firm, given that many of her peers in similar roles had risen through consulting or technology ranks rather than through the legal profession.<ref name="law360" />


''The New York Times'' reported on Sweet's appointment, highlighting her unusual career path from elite corporate law to the top of a global consulting and technology firm.<ref name="nyt-appointment">{{cite news |date=2019-07-11 |title=Julie Sweet Is Named Chief Executive of Accenture |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/11/business/julie-sweet-accenture-ceo.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The ''Financial Times'' also profiled Sweet upon her appointment, examining her leadership style and vision for the company.<ref name="ft-appointment">{{cite news |title=Accenture's new CEO Julie Sweet |url=https://www.ft.com/content/c87616c4-a3fc-11e9-a282-2df48f366f7d |work=Financial Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> ''Fortune'' noted that Sweet's appointment was significant in the context of female representation at the top of major global corporations, reporting that at the time, women led only 2.8 percent of Fortune Global 500 companies.<ref name="fortune-women">{{cite news |date=2019-07-22 |title=Women Lead Only 2.8% of Fortune Global 500 Companies |url=https://fortune.com/2019/07/22/women-lead-only-2-8-of-fortune-global-500-companies-the-broadsheet/ |work=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
The announcement was also reported by ''Bizjournals'', which noted that Sweet had been based in the Arlington, Virginia, area during her time leading Accenture's North America operations.<ref name="bizjournals">{{cite news |title=Accenture taps Arlington-based Julie Sweet as CEO |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2019/07/12/accenture-taps-arlington-based-julie-sweet-as.html |work=Washington Business Journal |date=2019-07-12 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Nasdaq also published a report on the appointment, noting its significance for the consulting industry.<ref name="nasdaq">{{cite news |title=Accenture Names Julie Sweet as CEO |url=https://www.nasdaq.com/article/accenture-names-julie-sweet-as-ceo-20190711-00978 |work=Nasdaq |date=2019-07-11 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


The ''Washington Business Journal'' reported that Sweet was based in Accenture's Arlington, Virginia offices at the time of her appointment.<ref name="bizjournals">{{cite news |title=Accenture taps Arlington-based Julie Sweet as CEO |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2019/07/12/accenture-taps-arlington-based-julie-sweet-as.html |work=Washington Business Journal |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> [[Nasdaq]] reported on the appointment as well, noting its implications for the company's strategic direction.<ref name="nasdaq">{{cite web |title=Accenture Names Julie Sweet as CEO |url=https://www.nasdaq.com/article/accenture-names-julie-sweet-as-ceo-20190711-00978 |publisher=Nasdaq |date=2019-07-11 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
=== Leadership and Strategic Direction ===


Sweet also assumed the role of chair of the board, making her chair and CEO of Accenture.<ref name="accenture-bio" />
Under Sweet's leadership, Accenture has pursued a strategy centered on digital transformation, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and, increasingly, artificial intelligence. Sweet has been a prominent voice in the business community on the topic of how large organizations should approach the adoption of emerging technologies.


=== Leadership at Accenture ===
In March 2021, Sweet participated in a ''Washington Post'' Live event titled "The Path Forward: Digital Acceleration," where she discussed how the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] had accelerated the adoption of digital technologies across industries and how companies were rethinking their operating models as a result.<ref name="wapo-live">{{cite web |title=Transcript: The Path Forward: Digital Acceleration with Accenture CEO Julie Sweet |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live/2021/03/23/transcript-path-forward-digital-acceleration-with-accenture-ceo-julie-sweet/ |publisher=The Washington Post |date=2021-03-23 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


As CEO, Sweet has overseen a period of significant growth and transformation at Accenture. The company's strategy under her leadership has emphasized digital transformation, cloud migration, cybersecurity, and, increasingly, artificial intelligence as core pillars of its service offerings.
==== AI Strategy and Workforce Transformation ====


==== Digital Acceleration and the COVID-19 Pandemic ====
Beginning in the mid-2020s, Sweet placed artificial intelligence at the center of Accenture's corporate strategy and public messaging. She has spoken at major global forums, including the [[World Economic Forum]] in [[Davos]], about the need for a human-centric approach to AI adoption. In January 2026, Sweet joined Axios at the World Economic Forum to discuss how AI adoption should be oriented toward growth rather than solely toward cost reduction, emphasizing the importance of workforce reinvention and continuous learning.<ref name="businesschief">{{cite news |date=2026-01 |title=Why Accenture CEO Julie Sweet Says AI Must be Human-Centric |url=https://businesschief.com/news/why-accenture-ceo-julie-sweet-says-ai-must-be-human-centric |work=Business Chief |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Sweet led Accenture through the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], a period that accelerated demand for digital transformation services as companies worldwide sought to adapt to remote work, e-commerce, and cloud-based operations. In a March 2021 event hosted by ''The Washington Post'', Sweet discussed how the pandemic had compressed years of digital transformation into months, creating both challenges and opportunities for Accenture and its clients.<ref name="wapo-pathforward">{{cite web |title=Transcript: Path Forward: Digital Acceleration with Accenture CEO Julie Sweet |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live/2021/03/23/transcript-path-forward-digital-acceleration-with-accenture-ceo-julie-sweet/ |publisher=The Washington Post |date=2021-03-23 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In February 2026, Sweet spoke at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where she argued that AI would drive economic growth rather than eliminate jobs in the information technology sector. She emphasized the role of workforce reinvention and continuous learning in unlocking the next phase of growth for the technology services industry.<ref name="storyboard18">{{cite news |date=2026-02-22 |title=Accenture CEO Julie Sweet at India AI Impact Summit: AI will drive growth, not kill IT jobs |url=https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/accenture-ceo-julie-sweet-at-india-ai-impact-summit-ai-will-drive-growth-not-kill-it-jobs-90474.htm |work=Storyboard18 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


During this period, Accenture invested heavily in cloud services partnerships and acquisitions, positioning itself as one of the largest providers of cloud transformation consulting in the world. Sweet's strategy focused on helping clients not just adopt new technologies but fundamentally reinvent their business processes and operating models.<ref name="wapo-pathforward" />
Sweet has also spoken to other CEOs about the importance of setting clear organizational goals around AI adoption. In January 2026, she shared an example of Accenture's own approach, suggesting that within three years, company leaders should be able to demonstrate measurable transformation in how their organizations use AI.<ref name="toi-three-years">{{cite news |date=2026-01 |title=Accenture CEO Julie Sweet to CEOs: In three years, you should be able to say that my company has… |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/accenture-ceo-julie-sweet-to-ceos-in-three-years-you-should-be-able-to-say-that-my-company-has-/articleshow/127283135.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


==== Artificial Intelligence Strategy ====
In a notable internal policy development reported in February 2026, Accenture began tying promotion eligibility for senior managers and associate directors to the use of AI tools. The policy, reported by ''The Guardian'' and ''The Times of India'', indicated that Accenture was monitoring AI tool adoption among its workforce and requiring demonstrated use of such tools as a prerequisite for advancement to leadership roles.<ref name="guardian-ai">{{cite news |date=2026-02-19 |title=Accenture 'links staff promotions to use of AI tools' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/accenture/2026/feb/19/accenture-links-staff-promotions-to-use-of-ai-tools |work=The Guardian |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="toi-exit-warning">{{cite news |date=2026-02-21 |title=After CEO Julie Sweet's 'exit' warning, Accenture HR tells senior employees: To get promoted to leadership roles, you would require… |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/after-ceo-julie-sweets-exit-warning-accenture-hr-tells-senior-employees-to-get-promoted-to-leadership-roles-you-would-require-/articleshow/128567436.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> This approach reflected Sweet's broader stance that AI fluency should be embedded throughout the organization rather than confined to specialized technology teams.


Under Sweet's leadership, Accenture has made artificial intelligence a central element of its corporate strategy. Sweet has been a prominent public advocate for the adoption of AI across industries, speaking frequently at major global forums about the transformative potential of the technology.
==== Revenue and Client Engagement ====


At the [[World Economic Forum]] in Davos in January 2026, Sweet argued that AI adoption must be "human-centric," emphasizing that the technology should be deployed in ways that augment human capabilities rather than simply replace workers.<ref name="businesschief">{{cite news |date=2026-01 |title=Why Accenture CEO Julie Sweet Says AI Must be Human-Centric |url=https://businesschief.com/news/why-accenture-ceo-julie-sweet-says-ai-must-be-human-centric |work=Business Chief |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi in February 2026, Sweet stated that AI would "drive growth, not kill IT jobs," arguing that workforce reinvention and continuous learning would unlock the next phase of economic growth powered by artificial intelligence.<ref name="storyboard18">{{cite news |date=2026-02-22 |title=Accenture CEO Julie Sweet at India AI Impact Summit: AI will drive growth, not kill IT jobs |url=https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/accenture-ceo-julie-sweet-at-india-ai-impact-summit-ai-will-drive-growth-not-kill-it-jobs-90474.htm |work=Storyboard18 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
As of early 2026, Accenture reported quarterly revenue of $17.7 billion. Sweet disclosed that she had met with approximately 30 global CEOs over the preceding two months, noting that nearly all of them were actively working to accelerate the deployment of AI within their organizations.<ref name="aol-revenue">{{cite news |date=2026-02-22 |title=Accenture boss Julie Sweet met 30 global CEOs in the past 2 months, and nearly all of them are scrambling to roll out more AI |url=https://www.aol.com/accenture-boss-julie-sweet-met-122741766.html |work=AOL |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> She characterized the period as a "busy travel quarter," reflecting the intensity of client engagement as companies sought guidance on AI strategy and implementation.<ref name="aol-revenue" />


Sweet has also pushed for AI adoption within Accenture itself. In early 2026, reports emerged that Accenture had begun tying employee promotion eligibility to the use of AI tools, with senior managers and associate directors reportedly told that demonstrating proficiency with AI-powered tools would be a requirement for advancement to leadership roles.<ref name="guardian-ai">{{cite news |date=2026-02-19 |title=Accenture 'links staff promotions to use of AI tools' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/accenture/2026/feb/19/accenture-links-staff-promotions-to-use-of-ai-tools |work=The Guardian |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="toi-promotions">{{cite news |date=2026-02-21 |title=After CEO Julie Sweet's 'exit' warning, Accenture HR tells senior employees: To get promoted to leadership roles you would require... |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/after-ceo-julie-sweets-exit-warning-accenture-hr-tells-senior-employees-to-get-promoted-to-leadership-roles-you-would-require-/articleshow/128567436.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> ''The Guardian'' reported that the consulting firm was monitoring AI tool adoption across its workforce, part of a broader effort to increase the uptake of the technology internally.<ref name="guardian-ai" />
==== Views on Trade and Economic Uncertainty ====


Sweet has advised other CEOs to adopt a similar approach to AI integration. In a statement reported in early 2026, she encouraged business leaders to set a three-year goal of being able to say that their company had fully embedded AI across its operations.<ref name="toi-3years">{{cite news |date=2026-01 |title=Accenture CEO Julie Sweet to CEOs: In three years, you should be able to say that my company has… |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/accenture-ceo-julie-sweet-to-ceos-in-three-years-you-should-be-able-to-say-that-my-company-has-/articleshow/127283135.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In early 2026, Sweet also commented on the economic environment shaped by trade policy, including the impact of [[tariffs]] introduced during the [[Presidency of Donald Trump|Trump administration]]. She noted that CEOs acknowledged operating in a "challenging and uncertain environment" but expressed a determination to continue investing and adapting their businesses despite the uncertainty.<ref name="toi-tariffs">{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=Accenture CEO Julie Sweet on Trump tariffs: CEOs admit challenging and uncertain environment, but say that they have to… |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/accenture-ceo-julie-sweet-on-trump-tariffs-ceos-admit-challenging-and-uncertain-environment-but-say-that-they-have-to-/articleshow/127610300.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
In February 2026, Sweet disclosed that she had personally met with approximately 30 global CEOs over a two-month period, and that nearly all of them were focused on accelerating AI deployment within their organizations. This came as Accenture posted $17.7 billion in quarterly revenue.<ref name="aol-revenue" />
 
==== Navigating Economic and Geopolitical Uncertainty ====
 
Sweet has also addressed the impact of geopolitical developments on business, including the effects of tariff policies under the administration of U.S. President [[Donald Trump]]. In early 2026, she shared insights on how CEOs were navigating what she described as a "challenging and uncertain environment," while maintaining that companies needed to continue investing in transformation despite macroeconomic headwinds.<ref name="toi-tariffs">{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=Accenture CEO Julie Sweet on Trump tariffs: CEOs admit challenging and uncertain environment, but say that they have to… |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/accenture-ceo-julie-sweet-on-trump-tariffs-ceos-admit-challenging-and-uncertain-environment-but-say-that-they-have-to-/articleshow/127610300.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives ===
=== Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives ===


Sweet has been a prominent advocate for diversity and inclusion in the corporate world. Prior to becoming CEO, while leading Accenture's North America business, she championed efforts to increase workforce diversity. Accenture under her leadership has been recognized for its diversity practices, including being named among the companies best encouraging diversity by ''USA Today''.<ref name="usatoday-diversity" />
During Sweet's tenure, Accenture has received public recognition for its efforts in workplace diversity and inclusion. In 2019, ''USA Today'' reported that Accenture was among the companies recognized for encouraging diversity within its workforce, alongside firms such as [[T-Mobile]], [[Google]], [[FedEx]], and [[Intuit]].<ref name="usatoday-diversity">{{cite news |title=T-Mobile, Google, FedEx, Intuit Among Best Encouraging Diversity |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2019/06/25/t-mobile-google-fedex-intuit-among-best-encouraging-diversity/1509253001/ |work=USA Today |date=2019-06-25 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Sweet has spoken publicly about the role of corporate leadership in fostering inclusive workplaces, consistent with Accenture's stated goal of achieving gender parity and increasing the representation of underrepresented groups across its global workforce.


In a 2019 interview, Sweet discussed her involvement with the CEO Initiative, a collaboration among business leaders focused on addressing societal challenges, including workforce diversity and economic inclusion.<ref name="fortune-ceoinit">{{cite news |date=2019-01-08 |title=Accenture CEO Julie Sweet on the CEO Initiative |url=https://fortune.com/2019/01/08/accenture-ceo-julie-sweet-ceo-initiative/ |work=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In a 2019 interview with ''Fortune'', Sweet discussed the broader CEO Initiative, a collaborative effort among business leaders to address societal challenges, including workforce development and economic inclusion.<ref name="fortune-initiative">{{cite news |title=Accenture CEO Julie Sweet on the CEO Initiative |url=https://fortune.com/2019/01/08/accenture-ceo-julie-sweet-ceo-initiative/ |work=Fortune |date=2019-01-08 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Julie Spellman married Chad Sweet in October 2004. The wedding was reported in ''The New York Times'' wedding announcements section.<ref name="nyt-wedding">{{cite news |date=2004-10-10 |title=Julie Spellman and Chad Sweet |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/10/fashion/weddings/julie-spellman-and-chad-sweet.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The couple has two children.<ref name="accenture-bio" />
Sweet married Chad Sweet in October 2004. The wedding was noted in ''The New York Times'' wedding announcements section, where she was listed under her maiden name, Julie Spellman.<ref name="nyt-wedding">{{cite news |date=2004-10-10 |title=Julie Spellman and Chad Sweet |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/10/fashion/weddings/julie-spellman-and-chad-sweet.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="nyt-wedding-archive">{{cite web |title=Julie Spellman and Chad Sweet (archived) |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706192600/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/10/fashion/weddings/julie-spellman-and-chad-sweet.html |publisher=The New York Times via Internet Archive |date=2004-10-10 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The couple has two children.<ref name="accenture-bio" />


Sweet has been based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, with Accenture's offices in Arlington, Virginia serving as her primary office at the time of her CEO appointment.<ref name="bizjournals" />
Sweet has been based in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, including Arlington, Virginia, during her time leading Accenture's North America operations.<ref name="bizjournals" />


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==


Sweet has received significant recognition for her leadership. She has been named to ''Fortune'' magazine's Most Powerful Women list, a ranking of the most influential female leaders in business.<ref name="fortune-mpw" /> The recognition placed her among the most prominent female executives in the world.
Sweet has been named to ''Fortune'' magazine's annual list of the Most Powerful Women in business. In 2020, she was featured on the ''Fortune'' Most Powerful Women list, which recognized her leadership of Accenture during a period of significant strategic transformation and digital acceleration.<ref name="fortune-mpw">{{cite web |title=Julie Sweet – Fortune Most Powerful Women 2020 |url=https://fortune.com/most-powerful-women/2020/julie-sweet/ |publisher=Fortune |date=2020 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Her appointment as CEO of Accenture was itself a milestone, as it made her the first female CEO in the company's history at a time when female representation at the top of Fortune Global 500 companies stood at just 2.8 percent.<ref name="fortune-women" /><ref name="theceomagazine" />
Her appointment as Accenture's first female CEO was noted by multiple publications as a milestone for gender representation in the leadership of major global corporations. ''The CEO Magazine'' profiled her as the first female CEO of Accenture, highlighting the significance of the appointment in the context of the broader professional services and technology consulting industry.<ref name="theceomagazine" /> ''Fortune'' observed that at the time of her appointment, women led only 2.8 percent of Fortune Global 500 companies, placing Sweet among a small cohort of women at the helm of the world's largest firms.<ref name="fortune-global" />


Sweet has been a regular speaker at the [[World Economic Forum]] in Davos, Switzerland, where she has discussed topics including AI strategy, digital transformation, and the future of work.<ref name="businesschief" /> Her public appearances at major global forums have contributed to her profile as one of the most visible CEOs in the professional services industry.
Sweet has been a recurring speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where she has addressed topics including AI adoption, workforce transformation, and corporate responsibility.<ref name="businesschief" />


Profiles of Sweet have appeared in major publications including ''The New York Times'', ''The Wall Street Journal'', the ''Financial Times'', ''Fortune'', and ''Business Insider'', among others.<ref name="nyt-corneroffice" /><ref name="wsj-ceo" /><ref name="ft-appointment" /><ref name="businessinsider" />
== Legacy ==


== Legacy ==
Julie Sweet's tenure as CEO of Accenture has been marked by the company's significant pivot toward digital transformation and artificial intelligence as core elements of its service offerings and internal operations. Her background as a corporate attorney who transitioned into operational business leadership distinguishes her career path from those of many peers in the technology consulting industry, where leaders have more commonly risen through consulting or engineering roles.<ref name="law360" /><ref name="bi-switch" />


As chair and CEO of Accenture, Sweet leads one of the largest professional services companies in the world by revenue and headcount. Her career trajectory — from partner at one of the most elite law firms in the United States to the top executive role at a Fortune Global 500 company — represents an unusual path in the corporate world and has been cited in business media as an example of the value of cross-disciplinary career transitions.<ref name="businessinsider" /><ref name="law360" />
Sweet's emphasis on AI as a growth driver rather than primarily a cost-cutting tool has shaped the public discourse around technology adoption in the professional services sector. Her public statements at forums such as the World Economic Forum and the India AI Impact Summit have positioned Accenture as an advocate for human-centric AI adoption, with an emphasis on workforce reinvention and continuous learning.<ref name="businesschief" /><ref name="storyboard18" />


Sweet's emphasis on AI as a transformative business force has positioned Accenture at the center of the global conversation about artificial intelligence adoption. Her approach — advocating for human-centric AI deployment, tying internal promotions to AI proficiency, and advising other CEOs to set ambitious AI integration timelines — has made her one of the most vocal corporate leaders on the subject.<ref name="businesschief" /><ref name="guardian-ai" /><ref name="toi-3years" />
The decision under her leadership to link employee promotions to AI tool usage represented one of the more concrete and widely reported examples of a major corporation embedding AI fluency into its human resources and talent management processes.<ref name="guardian-ai" /><ref name="toi-exit-warning" /> This policy attracted both attention and scrutiny, reflecting broader debates about the relationship between AI adoption and workforce management in large organizations.


Her appointment as the first female CEO of Accenture, and her subsequent elevation to chair and CEO, has also been significant in the broader context of female representation in corporate leadership. At a time when fewer than three percent of Fortune Global 500 companies were led by women, Sweet's ascent to the top of a company with hundreds of thousands of employees was noted as a meaningful development in the slow progress toward gender parity in the executive suite.<ref name="fortune-women" /><ref name="theceomagazine" />
As one of the few women leading a Fortune Global 500 company, Sweet's career has been cited in discussions about gender representation in corporate leadership.<ref name="fortune-global" /> Her trajectory from Cravath partner to general counsel to CEO of Accenture has been referenced in business media as an example of a nonlinear career path leading to the top of a major multinational corporation.<ref name="nyt-corner" /><ref name="bi-switch" />


== References ==
== References ==
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Latest revision as of 04:50, 24 February 2026


Julie Sweet
Sweet at the World Economic Forum in 2019
Julie Sweet
BornJulie Terese Spellman
1967
NationalityAmerican
OccupationBusiness executive, attorney
TitleChair and CEO, Accenture
Known forLeading Accenture as its first female CEO
EducationColumbia University (JD)
Children2
Website[https://www.accenture.com/us-en/about/leadership/julie-sweet Official site]

Julie Terese Sweet (née Spellman; born 1967) is an American business executive and attorney who serves as the chair and chief executive officer (CEO) of Accenture, a multinational professional services and consulting company. Sweet became Accenture's CEO on September 1, 2019, making her the first woman to lead the firm in its history.[1] Before ascending to the top role, she served as CEO of Accenture's North America business, the company's largest geographic market. Prior to joining Accenture, Sweet spent a decade as a corporate attorney at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, one of New York's most prominent law firms, where she became a partner.[2] Her appointment as CEO of Accenture, a company with hundreds of thousands of employees worldwide and revenues exceeding $40 billion, placed her among a small number of women leading Fortune Global 500 companies.[3] Under her leadership, Accenture has emphasized digital transformation, artificial intelligence adoption, and workforce reinvention as central pillars of its corporate strategy.

Early Life

Julie Terese Spellman was born in 1967 in the United States. In a 2019 interview with The New York Times, Sweet discussed elements of her upbringing and the influences that shaped her career trajectory. She recounted that she did not initially envision a career in business or corporate leadership, and that her path evolved through a series of decisions and opportunities rather than following a predetermined plan.[4] Sweet has spoken publicly about the importance of remaining open to new experiences and not turning down opportunities, a principle she has described as formative in her own development.[5]

Sweet has noted that leadership transitions and career shifts often begin not with certainty but with hesitation, followed by decisions that alter the course of one's professional life. She has cited this perspective in public remarks directed at students and early-career professionals, encouraging them to embrace uncertainty and take on unfamiliar challenges.[5]

Education

Sweet attended Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.[6] She subsequently enrolled at Columbia Law School at Columbia University in New York City, where she earned her Juris Doctor (JD) degree.[6] Her legal education at Columbia positioned her for a career in corporate law, and she joined the prominent New York law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore after completing her degree.[2]

Career

Legal Career at Cravath, Swaine & Moore

After graduating from Columbia Law School, Sweet began her legal career at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, one of the most established corporate law firms in the United States. She spent approximately a decade at the firm, where she practiced corporate law and rose to the position of partner.[2] At Cravath, Sweet worked on complex corporate transactions and developed expertise in areas relevant to large multinational companies. Her time at the firm provided her with a deep understanding of corporate governance, regulatory frameworks, and the legal dimensions of business strategy.

Sweet has discussed her decision to leave a successful legal career at Cravath in multiple interviews. In a 2019 profile in Business Insider, she described the thought process behind her career switch from law to business, noting that the transition was not without risk but was driven by a desire to take on broader operational responsibilities and leadership challenges beyond those available in a law firm setting.[7]

Accenture: General Counsel and North America CEO

Sweet joined Accenture in 2010 as the company's general counsel, a role that drew upon her legal background while placing her within the leadership structure of a major global corporation.[6] In this position, she oversaw Accenture's legal affairs, compliance, and corporate governance functions. Her role as general counsel also gave her exposure to the full breadth of Accenture's operations across its various business segments and geographic markets.

In 2015, Sweet was appointed CEO of Accenture's North America business, the company's largest market by revenue.[8] This role represented a significant expansion of her responsibilities, moving her from a legal and advisory function into direct operational leadership of a major business unit. As North America CEO, Sweet was responsible for managing client relationships, driving revenue growth, and overseeing the strategic direction of Accenture's operations across the United States and Canada. Her tenure in this role was viewed as a proving ground for the broader CEO position, as North America accounted for a substantial portion of Accenture's global revenue.[9]

Appointment as CEO of Accenture

On July 11, 2019, Accenture announced that its board of directors had selected Sweet to succeed Pierre Nanterme (who had resigned in January 2019 due to health issues and subsequently died) as the company's next CEO, effective September 1, 2019.[9][10] The appointment was covered by major financial and business publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Financial Times, and Fortune.[11][12]

Sweet's selection made her the first woman to serve as CEO of Accenture in the company's history.[1] At the time of her appointment, Fortune noted that women led only 2.8 percent of Fortune Global 500 companies, underscoring the relative rarity of women in the top leadership positions at the world's largest corporations.[3] Her background as a former Cravath partner was also noted as unusual for a CEO of a major technology and consulting firm, given that many of her peers in similar roles had risen through consulting or technology ranks rather than through the legal profession.[2]

The announcement was also reported by Bizjournals, which noted that Sweet had been based in the Arlington, Virginia, area during her time leading Accenture's North America operations.[13] Nasdaq also published a report on the appointment, noting its significance for the consulting industry.[14]

Leadership and Strategic Direction

Under Sweet's leadership, Accenture has pursued a strategy centered on digital transformation, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and, increasingly, artificial intelligence. Sweet has been a prominent voice in the business community on the topic of how large organizations should approach the adoption of emerging technologies.

In March 2021, Sweet participated in a Washington Post Live event titled "The Path Forward: Digital Acceleration," where she discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic had accelerated the adoption of digital technologies across industries and how companies were rethinking their operating models as a result.[15]

AI Strategy and Workforce Transformation

Beginning in the mid-2020s, Sweet placed artificial intelligence at the center of Accenture's corporate strategy and public messaging. She has spoken at major global forums, including the World Economic Forum in Davos, about the need for a human-centric approach to AI adoption. In January 2026, Sweet joined Axios at the World Economic Forum to discuss how AI adoption should be oriented toward growth rather than solely toward cost reduction, emphasizing the importance of workforce reinvention and continuous learning.[16]

In February 2026, Sweet spoke at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where she argued that AI would drive economic growth rather than eliminate jobs in the information technology sector. She emphasized the role of workforce reinvention and continuous learning in unlocking the next phase of growth for the technology services industry.[17]

Sweet has also spoken to other CEOs about the importance of setting clear organizational goals around AI adoption. In January 2026, she shared an example of Accenture's own approach, suggesting that within three years, company leaders should be able to demonstrate measurable transformation in how their organizations use AI.[18]

In a notable internal policy development reported in February 2026, Accenture began tying promotion eligibility for senior managers and associate directors to the use of AI tools. The policy, reported by The Guardian and The Times of India, indicated that Accenture was monitoring AI tool adoption among its workforce and requiring demonstrated use of such tools as a prerequisite for advancement to leadership roles.[19][20] This approach reflected Sweet's broader stance that AI fluency should be embedded throughout the organization rather than confined to specialized technology teams.

Revenue and Client Engagement

As of early 2026, Accenture reported quarterly revenue of $17.7 billion. Sweet disclosed that she had met with approximately 30 global CEOs over the preceding two months, noting that nearly all of them were actively working to accelerate the deployment of AI within their organizations.[21] She characterized the period as a "busy travel quarter," reflecting the intensity of client engagement as companies sought guidance on AI strategy and implementation.[21]

Views on Trade and Economic Uncertainty

In early 2026, Sweet also commented on the economic environment shaped by trade policy, including the impact of tariffs introduced during the Trump administration. She noted that CEOs acknowledged operating in a "challenging and uncertain environment" but expressed a determination to continue investing and adapting their businesses despite the uncertainty.[22]

Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

During Sweet's tenure, Accenture has received public recognition for its efforts in workplace diversity and inclusion. In 2019, USA Today reported that Accenture was among the companies recognized for encouraging diversity within its workforce, alongside firms such as T-Mobile, Google, FedEx, and Intuit.[23] Sweet has spoken publicly about the role of corporate leadership in fostering inclusive workplaces, consistent with Accenture's stated goal of achieving gender parity and increasing the representation of underrepresented groups across its global workforce.

In a 2019 interview with Fortune, Sweet discussed the broader CEO Initiative, a collaborative effort among business leaders to address societal challenges, including workforce development and economic inclusion.[24]

Personal Life

Sweet married Chad Sweet in October 2004. The wedding was noted in The New York Times wedding announcements section, where she was listed under her maiden name, Julie Spellman.[25][26] The couple has two children.[6]

Sweet has been based in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, including Arlington, Virginia, during her time leading Accenture's North America operations.[13]

Recognition

Sweet has been named to Fortune magazine's annual list of the Most Powerful Women in business. In 2020, she was featured on the Fortune Most Powerful Women list, which recognized her leadership of Accenture during a period of significant strategic transformation and digital acceleration.[27]

Her appointment as Accenture's first female CEO was noted by multiple publications as a milestone for gender representation in the leadership of major global corporations. The CEO Magazine profiled her as the first female CEO of Accenture, highlighting the significance of the appointment in the context of the broader professional services and technology consulting industry.[1] Fortune observed that at the time of her appointment, women led only 2.8 percent of Fortune Global 500 companies, placing Sweet among a small cohort of women at the helm of the world's largest firms.[3]

Sweet has been a recurring speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where she has addressed topics including AI adoption, workforce transformation, and corporate responsibility.[16]

Legacy

Julie Sweet's tenure as CEO of Accenture has been marked by the company's significant pivot toward digital transformation and artificial intelligence as core elements of its service offerings and internal operations. Her background as a corporate attorney who transitioned into operational business leadership distinguishes her career path from those of many peers in the technology consulting industry, where leaders have more commonly risen through consulting or engineering roles.[2][7]

Sweet's emphasis on AI as a growth driver rather than primarily a cost-cutting tool has shaped the public discourse around technology adoption in the professional services sector. Her public statements at forums such as the World Economic Forum and the India AI Impact Summit have positioned Accenture as an advocate for human-centric AI adoption, with an emphasis on workforce reinvention and continuous learning.[16][17]

The decision under her leadership to link employee promotions to AI tool usage represented one of the more concrete and widely reported examples of a major corporation embedding AI fluency into its human resources and talent management processes.[19][20] This policy attracted both attention and scrutiny, reflecting broader debates about the relationship between AI adoption and workforce management in large organizations.

As one of the few women leading a Fortune Global 500 company, Sweet's career has been cited in discussions about gender representation in corporate leadership.[3] Her trajectory from Cravath partner to general counsel to CEO of Accenture has been referenced in business media as an example of a nonlinear career path leading to the top of a major multinational corporation.[4][7]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Julie Sweet: first female CEO of Accenture".The CEO Magazine.https://www.theceomagazine.com/business/articles/julie-sweet-first-female-ceo-accenture/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Accenture Taps Ex-Cravath Partner As New CEO".Law360.https://www.law360.com/articles/1177615/accenture-taps-ex-cravath-partner-as-new-ceo.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Women Lead Only 2.8% of Fortune Global 500 Companies".Fortune.2019-07-22.https://fortune.com/2019/07/22/women-lead-only-2-8-of-fortune-global-500-companies-the-broadsheet/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Julie Sweet of Accenture: 'Never Say No to an Opportunity'".The New York Times.2019-01-02.https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/business/julie-sweet-accenture-corner-office.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Accenture CEO Julie Sweet's golden rule for students: 'Never say no to…'".The Times of India.2026-02-20.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/careers/news/accenture-ceo-julie-sweets-golden-rule-for-students-never-say-no-to/articleshow/128594101.cms.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Julie Sweet – Leadership".Accenture.https://www.accenture.com/us-en/about/leadership/julie-sweet.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Accenture's Julie Sweet on switching careers".Business Insider.2019-01.https://www.businessinsider.com/accenture-julie-sweet-switch-careers-2019-1.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  8. ↑ "Accenture appoints Julie Sweet as Chief Executive Officer".Consulting.us.https://www.consulting.us/news/2552/accenture-appoints-julie-sweet-as-chief-executive-officer.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Accenture Chooses New Chief Executive".The Wall Street Journal.2019-07-11.https://www.wsj.com/articles/accenture-chooses-new-chief-executive-11562876160.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  10. ↑ "Julie Sweet Named Chief Executive of Accenture".The New York Times.2019-07-11.https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/11/business/julie-sweet-accenture-ceo.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  11. ↑ "Accenture names Julie Sweet as new chief executive".Financial Times.2019-07-11.https://www.ft.com/content/c87616c4-a3fc-11e9-a282-2df48f366f7d.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  12. ↑ "Accenture's New CEO Julie Sweet".Fortune.2019-07-11.https://fortune.com/2019/07/11/accenture-new-ceo-julie-sweet/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Accenture taps Arlington-based Julie Sweet as CEO".Washington Business Journal.2019-07-12.https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2019/07/12/accenture-taps-arlington-based-julie-sweet-as.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  14. ↑ "Accenture Names Julie Sweet as CEO".Nasdaq.2019-07-11.https://www.nasdaq.com/article/accenture-names-julie-sweet-as-ceo-20190711-00978.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  15. ↑ "Transcript: The Path Forward: Digital Acceleration with Accenture CEO Julie Sweet".The Washington Post.2021-03-23.https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live/2021/03/23/transcript-path-forward-digital-acceleration-with-accenture-ceo-julie-sweet/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 "Why Accenture CEO Julie Sweet Says AI Must be Human-Centric".Business Chief.2026-01.https://businesschief.com/news/why-accenture-ceo-julie-sweet-says-ai-must-be-human-centric.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Accenture CEO Julie Sweet at India AI Impact Summit: AI will drive growth, not kill IT jobs".Storyboard18.2026-02-22.https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/accenture-ceo-julie-sweet-at-india-ai-impact-summit-ai-will-drive-growth-not-kill-it-jobs-90474.htm.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  18. ↑ "Accenture CEO Julie Sweet to CEOs: In three years, you should be able to say that my company has…".The Times of India.2026-01.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/accenture-ceo-julie-sweet-to-ceos-in-three-years-you-should-be-able-to-say-that-my-company-has-/articleshow/127283135.cms.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Accenture 'links staff promotions to use of AI tools'".The Guardian.2026-02-19.https://www.theguardian.com/accenture/2026/feb/19/accenture-links-staff-promotions-to-use-of-ai-tools.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "After CEO Julie Sweet's 'exit' warning, Accenture HR tells senior employees: To get promoted to leadership roles, you would require…".The Times of India.2026-02-21.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/after-ceo-julie-sweets-exit-warning-accenture-hr-tells-senior-employees-to-get-promoted-to-leadership-roles-you-would-require-/articleshow/128567436.cms.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Accenture boss Julie Sweet met 30 global CEOs in the past 2 months, and nearly all of them are scrambling to roll out more AI".AOL.2026-02-22.https://www.aol.com/accenture-boss-julie-sweet-met-122741766.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  22. ↑ "Accenture CEO Julie Sweet on Trump tariffs: CEOs admit challenging and uncertain environment, but say that they have to…".The Times of India.2026-02.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/accenture-ceo-julie-sweet-on-trump-tariffs-ceos-admit-challenging-and-uncertain-environment-but-say-that-they-have-to-/articleshow/127610300.cms.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  23. ↑ "T-Mobile, Google, FedEx, Intuit Among Best Encouraging Diversity".USA Today.2019-06-25.https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2019/06/25/t-mobile-google-fedex-intuit-among-best-encouraging-diversity/1509253001/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  24. ↑ "Accenture CEO Julie Sweet on the CEO Initiative".Fortune.2019-01-08.https://fortune.com/2019/01/08/accenture-ceo-julie-sweet-ceo-initiative/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  25. ↑ "Julie Spellman and Chad Sweet".The New York Times.2004-10-10.https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/10/fashion/weddings/julie-spellman-and-chad-sweet.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  26. ↑ "Julie Spellman and Chad Sweet (archived)".The New York Times via Internet Archive.2004-10-10.https://web.archive.org/web/20210706192600/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/10/fashion/weddings/julie-spellman-and-chad-sweet.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  27. ↑ "Julie Sweet – Fortune Most Powerful Women 2020".Fortune.2020.https://fortune.com/most-powerful-women/2020/julie-sweet/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.

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