Voice of Experience: Nellie Borrero, Managing Director, Global Inclusion and Diversity, Accenture

This week The Glass Hammer is celebrating Hispanic professional women – each day this week we’ll feature a profile of a Hispanic woman breaking the glass ceiling.

By Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

“Just this month is my 25th anniversary with Accenture,” began Nellie Borrero, Managing Director, Global Inclusion and Diversity, at the organization.

“When I came on board, I was very focused and aware of the possibility and opportunity to increase diversity,” she recalled. Borrero was the first person to start a full time diversity role, having begun in the New York office, and then expanding the diversity program to the US. “Now, today, we have a global focus,” she said.

“I’m happy about the progress I’ve seen in the culture in my organization,” she said. “We’re incredibly diverse. My mission and objective has always been to create an environment where everyone can feel like they can succeed.”

She continued, “And now people – whether they’re in the US, or India, or Japan – are coming in, feeling a sense of belonging, and that they can succeed.”

Current Diversity Projects

Accenture is home to many diversity programs, but there are a few that Borrero is particularly enthusiastic about. “I’m really excited about the programs and activities in the US, the UK, and South Africa around ethnicity diversity,” she said.

She is also excited about work Accenture is doing on outreach around people with disabilities. And, she added, “We’re advancing our LGBT agenda globally as well, and I’m very excited about that.”

“We look at diversity as a competitive advantage with a wide lens – rather than as specific segments,” she said. “We have approximately 236,000 people all over the world. For us, it’s critical to bring in people with diverse perspectives.”

Hispanic Women in Business

“I think the challenges that Hispanic women face are similar to the overarching challenges that all women face. But we also have a lot of conflicting priorities,” Borrero said.

She explained that Hispanic women need to contend with the perceptions of others. “What’s expected of us because of our culture?” she asked.

“We also need to be open to taking on challenges – saying, ‘Yes, I can do that,’ rather than, ‘No, I can’t.’’’

She added, “How do we change the way we view opportunities and how do we find ways to make it work?”

In fact, Borrero said she believes Hispanic women have the advantage when it comes to relationship building. “We understand the advantage of relationships – it’s so embedded in our culture. That savviness and understanding of the importance of relationship building and maintaining relationships comes naturally to the Hispanic community.”

And, she continued, as the scope of today’s marketplace grows, this will be an especially helpful skill. “I’m sure this will benefit us globally.”

Additionally, Accenture’s Hispanic American Employee Resource Group provides support, coaching, and mentoring Borrero said.

Advice for Women in Professional Services

“I wish I had known, when I was very junior, the importance of being very strategic when networking,” Borrero said. “Sometimes people don’t give it a lot of thought. But mid-career I realized the power of it. I’m sure I could have accomplished a lot more a lot sooner.”

She continued, “And I would like to see young women do more of this: be able to reach out to the women at the top, and absorb that coaching and experience they can share.”

“Become a sponge and absorb as much as you can. If they’re up there, they’ve found a way to make it work.”

For senior women, she advised, “Continue to really support your peers. Even at high levels, we need a strong level of support.”

Borrero continued, “And take a look behind you, and see who you’re pulling up.”

She encouraged women to be more confident. “Across the board, we tend to be a little less confident than men, and not take risks initially. We have to push ourselves into stretch roles.”

“But we need to learn to embrace new challenges, to embrace risks. We have to say we are willing to take stretch roles, to ask for help, and to have confidence.”

Diversity at Accenture

“From a training perspective we have programs designed for women, focused by level to make sure women have a platform to share their concerns and build the skills they need to expand.”

“For me, each of these programs is extremely valuable in conveying what else – besides my daily focus – I need to be concerned about.” She explained, “Women tend to be laser focused on the task at hand, and we may lose sight of the many different factors of being successful.”

“The programs help you to really think about your development,” she added.

In Her Personal Time

Outside work, Borrero enjoys spending time with her family. “I’m a mother of two – I have a 26 year old daughter and an eight year old son,” she said. “They’re 17 years apart, and it’s making life very diverse and fun.”

Borrero serves on three boards – the LaGuardia Community College Foundation Board, ASPIRA New York, and the Vision Spring Advisory Council. “From a Latina perspective, I’m focused on keeping Latinos in school through high school and through college,” she said. “And Vision Spring provides eye care to people in the developing world.”

Additionally, she enjoys reading and tennis. “I love it – it’s how I stay sane,” she added with a laugh.