Accenture CEO Julie Sweet remembers the line from former CEO Bill Green's that she says she just "fell for"; he said ...

Accenture CEO Julie Sweet

is one of the most influential executives in global business. Recently, Sweet shared a pivotal moment which led her to leave a high-powered legal career and join the consulting giant. In an interview with Fortune, Sweet talked about her mid-life leap which she took at the age of 42. She revealed that one line from the former Accenture CEO Bill Green helped her seal the deal. ““He said, ‘I’m not looking for a lawyer… I’m looking for a business leader with legal experience.’ And I just fell for it — hook, line, and sinker,” Sweet recalled.At that time, Sweet was working as a partner in an elite law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore and she had a clear career path ahead. But after the death of her father, she found herself open to change. A headhunter’s call led to a meeting with Green, whose charisma and vision reframed her understanding of what her career could be.

From a legal star to a corporate leader

Sweet’s decision to join Accenture as the general counsel turned out to be a dramatic shift. She had never before run a business, but the way Green framed the role— as a leadership opportunity, not just a legal one — resonated deeply. “That’s what I want to be,” Sweet said. “A business leader.”She worked hard and all the way to the top. Within a few years, Sweet rose through ranks and then became the CEO of the company in 2019. Today, she oversees a 770,000-person workforce and advises more

Fortune 500 CEOs

than almost anyone else in the industry.

A philosophy of impact

Sweet reveals that the passing of her father acted as a catalyst for reevaluating her path. “I absolutely love Accenture,” she said. “It’s an amazing company. I was very privileged to join, and I feel really privileged every day to lead this place.”