Ellyn Shook stands at the helm of Accenture's leadership and human resources endeavors, serving as the Chief Leadership & Human Resources Officer for the global consultancy giant, responsible for guiding the success of its vast workforce of 743,000 individuals both professionally and personally. Her role is pivotal in re-imagining leadership and talent practices to foster a truly human work environment, positioning Accenture as a market leader dedicated to improving the way the world works and lives.
As a member of Accenture's Global Management Committee, Shook brings a wealth of experience and strategic insights to her position. Since assuming the role of Chief Human Resources Officer in 2014, she has been a strong advocate for diversity and equality, earning Accenture external recognition as an employer of choice and for its commitment to equality initiatives.
Before her appointment as CHRO, Shook served as Senior Managing Director—Human Resources, where she led Accenture's Human Resources Centers of Expertise and the Human Resources Business Partner Organization. During this time, she played a pivotal role in designing Accenture's talent architecture and overseeing the company's total rewards, talent supply chain, and talent development programs.
With a tenure dating back to 1988, Shook's journey at Accenture has seen her in various leadership roles. Notably, between 2004 and 2011, she served as the global human resources lead for career and performance management, total rewards, employee engagement, and mergers and acquisitions. She has also held key positions such as head of global compensation, responsible for executive compensation and equity programs during the company's IPO in 2001.
Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Shook actively contributes to various boards and committees, including the World Economic Forum’s Global Shaper Community Foundation Board, the Women’s Leadership Board of the Women and Public Policy program at Harvard’s Kennedy School, and the steering committee of Paradigm for Parity. Her commitment to shaping global leadership extends to serving on the HR Policy Association’s Board of Directors and being an active member of the HR50 division of World50.
In an interview, she highlighted three leadership characteristics crucial in today's rapidly changing landscape: compassion, learning, and humility. Emphasizing the importance of empathy in action, continuous learning, and recognizing the voices within organizations, she provides valuable insights into effective leadership.
Shook's contributions have not gone unnoticed, with Forbes.com naming her one of the top 10 CHROs in 2015 and inclusion in Engagedly’s global list of Top 100 HR Influencers for 2017. Her leadership at Accenture reflects a dedication to fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment while actively contributing to global initiatives for equality and leadership development.