TORONTO, Nov. 22, 2017 /CNW/ - Bill Morris, president
of Accenture's business in Canada,
has been awarded the 2017 Inclusion Vanguard Award by Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100.
The award recognizes an individual, male or female, who has
demonstrated an outstanding commitment to a broader diversity
agenda within their organization. Morris was selected for his role
as a champion for change; for making a profound and measurable
impact; and for bettering the experience of employees, clients and
the broader community.
"I am pleased to receive this award that recognizes Accenture's
commitment to diversity from the top level, because inclusion and
diversity are key drivers for innovation in both our own business
and in our clients' businesses," said Morris. "We will continue to
drive forward with our initiatives, including our goal to reach
gender parity by 2025, creating a work environment where everyone
feels that they belong and can deliver real value."
In keeping with Accenture's goal to have women represent 40
percent of Accenture's leadership by 2025, Morris recently oversaw
the positioning of three women as senior leaders in key areas of
Accenture's business: Jodie Wallis,
chosen to lead Accenture's Artificial Intelligence practice;
Iliana Oris Valiente, hired to lead
Blockchain Innovation globally; and Natalie
Heisler, hired to lead Accenture's Analytics practice in
Canada.
Under Morris's leadership in Canada, Accenture has made great strides in
fostering diversity within the organization. His leadership team
has set diversity targets, by year and by business unit, for which
they are accountable. Morris co-chairs the Canadian Diversity
Council (CDC) with Claudia Thompson,
managing director who leads the company's Health & Public
Service practice and Accenture's lead for Inclusion and Diversity
in Canada. Thomson was named to
Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top
100 last year. The CDC consists of senior Accenture leaders who
strive to drive inclusion and diversity through Accenture's ranks
by modelling inclusive behavior, setting diversity targets, and
holding each other accountable.
Accenture's 2017 #GettingToEqual research, published on
International Women's Day, shows that if women increase their
technology immersion and digital fluency, the gender pay gap in
developed markets could close by 2044—36 years ahead of current
predictions. Accenture has also been recognized on Pride at Work
Canada's LGBT Workplace Inclusion Index for three consecutive
years. The company also has committed to spend $100 million with women-owned businesses during
the next three years, with a special focus on female entrepreneurs
in developing countries.
Throughout his tenure at Accenture, Morris has actively promoted
Accenture's belief that rich diversity makes the company stronger,
smarter and more innovative, which helps it better serve clients
and the community.
Under Morris's direction, Accenture is creating skills-based
programs to empower diverse communities across Canada. Accenture's partnerships with
organizations such as Ladies Learning Code will continue empowering
women and youth to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
Accenture's Skills to Succeed initiative will equip 3 million
people with the skills they need to secure a job or build a
business by the end of fiscal 2020. Accenture supports more
than 70 charities through Skills to Succeed in Canada, and hires skilled new Canadians
through ACCES Employment and through Npower, the latter of which
provides training for careers in information technology to military
veterans and young adults from under-served communities.
About Accenture
Accenture is a leading global professional services company,
providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy,
consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched
experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries
and all business functions – underpinned by the world's largest
delivery network – Accenture works at the intersection of business
and technology to help clients improve their performance and create
sustainable value for their stakeholders. With approximately
425,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries,
Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and
lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com.
SOURCE Accenture