Voice of Experience: Fiona O’Hara, Senior Executive, Technology DOO, Accenture

By Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

According to Fiona O’Hara, Senior Executive and Technology Director of Operations at Accenture, meeting challenges head on is critical for getting to the next level.

“Don’t shy away from challenges and stretch roles. You will be able to rise to the challenge and you will learn so much more than if you stay in your comfort zone,” she said.

O’Hara added, “It can also provide a opportunity to show what you are capable of and in doing so may serve to advance your career more quickly.”

Proving Herself

O’Hara, born in Ireland, went to Queens University and entered a graduate recruitment program at Capita Group. She began working in outsourcing for the public sector Soon she found herself in outsourcing sales, and sixteen years ago, was headhunted into Accenture.

She began working in outsourcing sales for what the company calls market makers – big outsourcing deals. Then she moved into sales for communications and high tech sector clients.

“I took my first maternity leave in ’02, and when I came back I decided to have a bit of a shift,” she said. O’Hara began working in the energy and utilities sector, and then took her second maternity leave, returning to work on a big contract as commercial director.

Six years ago, she became Director of Operations (DOO) for Europe, Africa, and Latin America, and then this year, she became DOO for Accenture’s Technology division.

She commented, “On a very personal level, I’m very proud of proving myself in a very competitive sector. It’s a big achievement.”

“I’m looking at how we can integrate what we are doing across technology and how we support the Accenture strategy. ,” O’Hara said. “How can we better integrate the cloud and analytics into our deep industry skills across Accenture and collaborate and deliver even more value to our clients through them?”

She added, “On the other side, I also wear the hat of human capital and diversity executive sponsor for the UK and Ireland, and through my work in diversity, I hope I’ve helped a lot of women realize their potential. That is hugely satisfying for me.”

Women in Technology

O’Hara said that the challenge for getting more women into technology begins in school. “It begins with getting the pipeline of women through the pre-grad and post-grad stages,” she said. “Then we get asked more and more, ‘who are the role models?’ It’s a continual challenge for every organization in the technology and consulting world.”

She continued, “At Accenture, I’m working to build the pipeline and I want to see more senior women in the technology space.”

Additionally, she said, many women shy away from the tech consulting space simply because it seems incompatible with work/life goals. It is difficult, she said, but it can be done and it’s also incredibly rewarding.

“The commitments you need to make to be successful in technology include time and delivering on the needs of your clients. It is a challenge, and many people put it in the too-difficult box. Technology can also help you overcome the challenges of the balancing act,” she said.

O’Hara sponsors all of Accenture’s women’s programs in the UK and Ireland. “One of our best programs recently is helping women going on and returning from maternity leave. Our retention rate is 95%, which is just fantastic,” she said. “It’s a good benefit for women to advance in their careers, and it’s good for us because of the investment we’ve made in terms of talent.”

Lessons Learned

O’Hara advised young women to find role models and mentors in various different industries. Looking back on her early career, she said, “I wish someone had told me it’s a continuous journey of choice. Always, there is a choice to be made – that never goes away.”

“The second thing I wish I had known was that it’s just as much about how you do things as what you do or know. It’s a huge part of being successful,” she continued.

She advised senior women to remember to connect with younger women. “Don’t become unreachable – stay connected and be a role model that young women can relate to.”

Her other advice was to be authentic. “Always do things in a woman’s way rather than the way men would do it. That’s the way we really achieve diversity.”

In Her Personal Time

“My family is very important to me,” O’Hara said. “I spend all of my time with them when I’m not working.”

O’Hara also competes regularly in the dressage circuit in the UK. “I’m a keen horse woman,” she said.