Foreword

By Ken Bouyer, EY Americas Director of Inclusiveness Recruiting

EY is a global leader in assurance, consulting, strategy and transactions, and tax services with a purpose of building a better working world. While fulfilling their purpose and creating positive change through knowledge, skills, and experience, EY and GenHERation^® have partnered for 10 years to close the gender leadership gap and create life-changing opportunities for high school and college women. Since its inception, EY has been a steadfast partner of GenHERation^®, aligning with its mission to empower entrepreneurs. Witnessing their growth and accomplishments throughout our partnership has been deeply gratifying. EY acknowledges the urgency to address the gender gap, investing more than just financially by dedicating the time and effort of our team. This engagement with GenHERation^® has proved to be both enriching and rewarding for our staff. I believe that we must actively confront the unique challenges faced by women through targeted support and awareness. This sense of urgency has been underscored by my daughter’s recent experiences in college. She has declared Biology as her major, and I have witnessed firsthand the ongoing need to raise awareness of opportunities for women in certain disciplines and how programs like this play a key role. To celebrate our partnership and further amplify our impact, we are interviewing 10 EY leaders, innovators, and changemakers to highlight their expertise and inspire the GenHERation^® community to turn insight into action. 

Here is what EY Principal, Akita Chen, had to say when asked about organizational culture:

GenHERation^®: What one word best describes EY?

Akita Chen: Purpose-driven.

GenHERation^®: In your current role, what are your primary responsibilities? 

Chen: I help clients in the consumer and health sector solve strategic and complex challenges and leverage innovative technologies.

GenHERation^®: What are the three most important elements of organizational culture?

Chen: Good organizations have foundational elements like effective leadership, credibility and innovation. For me, there are three elements that differentiate an organization.

• Purpose: At the heart of any organization’s culture is its purpose — the “why” behind what they do. It’s about the impact they aim to make and the vision they are striving to achieve. At the EY organization, our purpose is centered around building a better working world. It’s the beacon that guides us in how we serve our clients, engage with our communities and unites us as a team.
• Core values: This is an organization’s guiding star that defines the behaviors and attitudes that are valued and expected. At our organization, our values are integrity, respect, teaming and inclusiveness. They define who we are and shape our interactions with our colleagues, clients and the wider community.
• Belonging: Having a sense of belonging is critical for a positive work experience. It’s about feeling included, valued and supported by your colleagues and the organization as a whole. At the EY organization, we strive to create an environment where our people are empowered to be their authentic self and know their unique contributions are appreciated.

GenHERation^®: How do you make an impact in your role?

Chen: I focus on understanding what my clients, team and firm consider valuable. By considering what it’s like to be in their position, I’m able to provide meaningful results and drive the success they’re looking for.

GenHERation^®: What advice would you give your younger self?

Chen: Your path to greatness may not be linear. Some of the best and most enriching experiences can come from unexpected opportunities. Define your own path and definition of success. Celebrate your wins and be unstoppable!

Akita Chen is a principal at Ernst & Young LLP. She has over 25 years of experience working with senior executives and stakeholders to drive value-based business outcomes through digitalization. She has successfully delivered numerous complex and large-scale projects across geographies and domains, leveraging her experience in enterprise resource planning modernization, cloud and innovation enablement. She is excited about the tech advancements and breakthroughs that are reshaping how we work, live and play.