(The following transcript has been revised and polished for clarity and conciseness without losing the essence of the conversation in this episode.)
VO: Welcome to Women Wisdom Worth, the podcast series from Uplevyl, where we learn from women around the world about what they’re doing to find success and joy in this digital age. For show notes and free bonus resources, visit Uplevyl.com/podcast. We’d love it if you subscribe, like, leave a nice review, and share the show with your friends and colleagues. And remember to check out Uplevyl.
Uplevyl is the global leader of women-trained generative AI transforming society and business, featuring women-centric data inputs, insight, and advice. You’ll find all the answers you need in a way that works for you as you navigate the complexities of modern life. Check it out on Uplevyl.com. Let’s get started with your host, Sara Bhonsale. Over to you, Sara.
Sara Bhonsale: Today we are delighted to have Tamara Fields with us on Women Wisdom Worth. Tamara is the Office Managing Director for Accenture in Austin and recently stepped into a national role as the U.S. Public Service Lead at Accenture, focusing on delivering transformative change to the public sector.
She is deeply passionate about fostering inclusive and diverse workplaces and serves as the U.S. co-lead for Accenture’s Women’s ERG, as well as the Inclusion and Diversity Lead for Accenture’s Austin office. Her goal is to achieve a 50–50 gender balance by 2025. Tamara is a tireless advocate for diversity, believing it is key to creating stronger, more innovative, and more competitive teams that ultimately help Accenture better serve clients and communities.
Her dedication to leadership and advocacy earned her a spot in the 2024–2025 International Women’s Forum Leadership Fellows class, further underscoring her commitment to empowering women and driving positive change. We’re excited to hear from Tamara as she shares her journey, insights on inclusive workplaces, and her vision for transformative change in the public sector. Tamara, welcome to the show.
Tamara Fields: Thank you so much. I’m really excited to be here and to speak with you today.
Sara Bhonsale: I’m honored to have you here. Your resume is incredible, and the work you’re doing for women at Accenture is so impactful. I’d love for you to share your pathway and how you arrived where you are today.
Tamara Fields: Thank you for inviting me and for investing in women. I just came back from the Texas Conference for Women, the largest women’s conference in the state, with more than 7,500 women in attendance. I’m feeling energized and empowered, and I appreciate anyone who spends time lifting other women up.
I came straight out of college to what was then Andersen Consulting, now Accenture. I’ve had many roles in this company and have been a Managing Director for about 15 years. I’ve had moments where I wanted to quit or change direction, as most people do. Highlighting my journey, what really made the difference was sponsorship and mentorship. At every major pivot in my career, someone walked alongside me.
I started as an analyst in technology. I was a marketing major and was put into coding, which was unexpected, but I became quite good at it. I later moved into design and software development, working on back-office systems like SAP, Oracle, and PeopleSoft, as well as front-office platforms like Salesforce. I worked in oil and gas, then semiconductors, and eventually spent most of my career in public service, working across federal, state, and local government.
The journey from analyst to Managing Director was hard. It required belief in myself, but more importantly, others believing in me. Focus, networks, and leaning into relationships mattered. Good work is just the ticket to the game.
Sara Bhonsale: I love that phrase — good work is just the ticket to the game. Can you share more about the mentors who helped uplift you and open doors along the way?
Tamara Fields: I believe deeply in having a personal board of directors—people inside and outside your organization who help guide you. My mother is foundational on that board. She was a career civil servant in the federal court system and taught me how to navigate organizational politics with perspective.
Another pivotal mentor is Nelly Borero. She supported me through some of the most critical moments of my career. When my sponsors moved on and my network disappeared, she recognized what was happening and reintroduced me to new leadership. She brokered relationships on my behalf and helped me rebuild my sponsorship network.
During COVID, when I stepped into a COO role I wasn’t sure about, I struggled deeply with imposter syndrome. Nelly reframed the situation for me. She reminded me I was chosen because I could do the job, not because I was expected to know everything on day one. That perspective helped me regain confidence.
Sara Bhonsale: That ability to name imposter syndrome and reframe it is powerful. It’s so important to have someone who can reflect truth back to us.
Tamara Fields: Absolutely. Mentors help us see beyond our own perspective. They help us innovate in how we think about our careers and challenges. Success requires falling sometimes, and it requires someone helping you back up.
Sara Bhonsale: I want to talk about your involvement with the International Women’s Forum Leadership Fellows program. What drew you to it?
Tamara Fields: The International Women’s Forum is an invitation-only global network of accomplished women leaders, founded in 1974. They unite women globally to advance leadership. There are nearly 8,000 women across 33 countries. The fellowship program is rigorous, and I’m excited to participate because it will expand my leadership perspective, my network, and my global lens.
Sara Bhonsale: Let’s talk about Accenture’s goal of achieving a 50–50 gender balance. What’s made progress possible?
Tamara Fields: This has been a multi-year effort that started at the top of our leadership pyramid. It requires diverse slates in recruiting, referrals through ERGs, skill-based hiring, and apprenticeship programs. Leadership commitment is essential. Diversity of thought drives innovation, and innovation is how we serve clients.
We’re fortunate to have a female CEO and CFO and strong female board representation. We publish our diversity data publicly, which creates accountability. This is a global goal, not just a U.S. one, and progress has been steady across all levels.
Sara Bhonsale: You mentioned skill-based hiring. How has technology supported that shift?
Tamara Fields: We examined which roles truly required four-year degrees and expanded apprenticeship pathways. Today, more than 20% of our workforce comes through skill-based hiring. It’sexpanded diversity across gender and ethnicity and has been transformative.
Sara Bhonsale: Accenture is a major voice in AI research and consulting. How do you evaluate the pros and cons of generative AI as it becomes central to your work?
Tamara Fields: Generative AI is here to stay. The focus must be on responsible adoption — governance, centers of excellence, policy, and clear use cases. AI will improve productivity, reduce tactical work, and free time for critical thinking. In public service, where workforce shortages are real, AI can help prioritize critical roles and reskill workers. Re-skilling is the key message.
Sara Bhonsale: Re-skilling is such an important theme, especially in education and workforce development.
Tamara Fields: Women need to be comfortable with technology and lean into leadership roles. We must also address wellbeing. Women often carry caregiving burdens, which impacts mental health. Work-life integration, not balance, is the reality. Rest, resilience, and self-care matter. Representation in C-suites still matters deeply, and we must keep pushing.
Sara Bhonsale: As we close, what advice would you offer the next generation of women entering tech and leadership?
Tamara Fields: Don’t be alone. You’re never the only one facing challenges. Find community through ERGs, conferences, and networks. Expand your circle. I’ll leave you with this quote by Amy Tinney: “The world needs strong women. Women who will lift and build others… women who live bravely, both tender and fierce… women of indomitable will.”
That’s what I strive to embody. I am tender and fierce. I am resilient. I am a leader. I am Tamara Fields.
Sara Bhonsale: That’s a beautiful way to close. Thank you so much for sharing your time and wisdom with us.
Tamara Fields: Thank you. I appreciate it.
VO: Thanks for joining us on Women Wisdom Worth, the podcast series from Uplevyl, where we learn from women around the world about what they’re doing to find success and joy in this digital age. For show notes and resources, visit Uplevyl.com/podcast. Subscribe, like, leave a review, and share the show with friends and colleagues. And remember to check out Uplevyl, the global leader of women-trained generative AI featuring women-centric data inputs, insight, and advice to navigate modern life. Thanks, and see you soon.