Accenture has hired Michelle Gadsden-Williams to lead inclusion and diversity in North America. In this role, she will be responsible for further strengthening and accelerating the company’s efforts to foster an inclusive culture, the company said in a release.

Accenture has recently shared a video on inclusion with the title ‘Inclusion starts with I’. 

“The need for innovation to grow, compete, and transform has never been greater – and we believe diversity is essential to driving this innovation,” said Julie Sweet, Accenture’s CEO for North America. “We remain laser-focused on speeding the pace of our progress, and we are excited to welcome Michelle to our business in North America. Her wealth of experience will ensure we continue creating an environment where everyone feels they belong and can be at their best every day, professionally and personally.”

Gadsden-Williams joins Accenture with more than 20 years of experience as an advocate for equality within corporate America and a thought leader around diversity and inclusion.

She was co-founder and chief executive officer of Ceiling Breakers, a consulting organization focused on women’s empowerment and diversity initiatives. Prior to founding her own business, Gadsden-Williams served as the global head of diversity and inclusion at Credit Suisse and as chief diversity officer at Novartis. She has been widely recognized for her work as a diversity practitioner, including receiving the Maya Way Award for Diversity Leadership by Dr. Maya Angelou.

Gadsden-Williams received bachelor’s degrees in marketing and communications from Kean College of New Jersey and a master’s in organizational dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania.

“Michelle brings her creativity, outcome-focused experience and a passion for removing barriers to Accenture,” said Debra Exstrom, Accenture’s lead for Human Resources in North America. “Under her leadership, I am confident we will realize our ambitious inclusion and diversity goals in North America.”