Company: Avanade
Company Description: Avanade is the leading provider of innovative digital, cloud and advisory services, industry solutions and design-led experiences across the Microsoft ecosystem. Every day, our 60,000 professionals in 26 countries make a genuine human impact for our clients, their employees and their customers. Avanade was founded in 2000 by Accenture LLP and Microsoft Corporation. Learn more at www.avanade.com
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Female Executive of the Year – Business Services –More Than 2,500 Employees
 Nomination Title: Pamela Maynard, CEO
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes, explaining the achievements since July 1, 2021 of the nominated woman, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video. If you are submitting written answers to the questions for this category, provide them in the spaces below:
- Briefly describe the nominated individual: history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 178 words used.
Avanade CEO, Pamela Maynard, leads the largest and most experienced global Microsoft services company in the world. A champion of inclusive and diverse teams, she’s developed a people-first culture where its 60,000 professionals can thrive and are encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work.
A business leader who’s delivered historic revenue growth that consistently outpaces the market, Pamela has built an organization relentlessly focused on putting the power of technology into the hands of clients, helping them to navigate everything from a global health crisis to the opportunities created by generative AI.
Throughout her 25+ year career in the technology industry—including more than 15 years at Avanade—she’s challenged the status quo of what it means for a technology company to be inclusive, diverse and equitable so that it can innovate for all of society and for every client. She leads with empathy and compassion, seeking to learn from professionals at every level of the organization—from the summer intern to the C-level.
In addition to her role as CEO, Pamela brings her business acumen, technology expertise, unique
- Outline the nominee's achievements since July 1 2021 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 202 words used.
Pamela’s superpower as CEO is her ability to balance the needs of Avanade’s clients and professionals while consistently delivering double-digit revenue growth for the company and leading the Microsoft services market.
Pamela has achieved all of that, earning Avanade more than 75 Best Places to Work awards - including #3 on Newsweek’s 100 Most Loved Workplaces. She’s built a compelling employee experience that’s attracted more than 12,000 employees and earned Microsoft’s 2023 Partner of the Year for a record 18th time.
Pamela also continues to set new standards for inclusivity and diversity at Avanade and in the technology industry overall. She’s invested in Avanade’s Inclusion & Diversity initiatives, bringing on the first-ever Chief Inclusion & Diversity Officer. In Avanade’s last fiscal year, 35.5% of promotions and 40% of new hires were women, joining a company with female leadership in most senior roles, including Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Chief People Officer, and Europe Area President.
Pamela also launched Avanade’s partnership with a $1 million pledge to Prosperity Now to build sustainable wealth in the communities of one million Black, Indigenous People of Colour (BIPOC) entrepreneurs.
She’s executive sponsor of Avanade’s Technology for Social Good initiative, bringing
- Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 123 words used.
• Pamela’s perspective on the Future of Work:
o https://savoynetwork.com/avanade-the-future-of-work-at-avanade-is-all-about-flexibility-and-choice-working-in-ways-that-work-for-yo/ ;
o https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/03/15/why-the-future-of-work-must-be-built-on-mutual-trust/?sh=582d8e5066d1 ;
o https://www.businessleader.co.uk/2023-trends-what-do-experts-say-about-the-future-of-work/ ;
o https://londonlovestech.com/the-flexible-working-trend-tech-experts-give-their-thoughts/ ;
• Support for Pam’s Women in Technology Leadership
o https://www.everywoman.com/everywoman-in-technology-awards/2023-winners/ ;
o https://www.channelweb.co.uk/series/profile/a-list/page/4 ;
o https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/lessons-from-eight-women-ceos-on-leading-best-places-to-work/ ;
o https://wearetechwomen.com/inspirational-woman-pamela-maynard-ceo-avanade/ ;
o https://www.digitalbulletin.com/podcasts/inside-leadership-pam-maynard-ceo-avanade/
• Leading an employer of choice
o https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-100-most-loved-workplaces-2022 ;
o https://www.greatplacetowork.com/best-workplaces/women/2022?category=large ;
o https://www.greatplacetowork.com/best-workplaces/parents/2022?category=large ;
o https://www.greatplacetowork.com/best-workplaces/millennials/2023?category=large ;
o https://www.glassdoor.com/Award/Best-Places-to-Work-LST_KQ0
• Leader Navigating Change
o https://www.unleash.ai/strategy-and-leadership/how-to-thrive-in-turbulent-times/ ;
o https://techblogwriter.co.uk/avanade/ ;
o https://play.acast.com/s/tech-science-daily/scientists-to-declare-irreversible-human-impact-on-earth
o https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001pdgw
- Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the nominee's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 171 words used.
Driven by the belief that “what makes you different makes you strong,” Pamela draws on her experience as a one of the only black female leaders in the technology industry to lead Avanade.
This unique perspective propels her to help women and underrepresented groups grow their skills through mentorship and expand their networks. As other CEOs mandated a return to office post-pandemic, Pamela instead pioneered alternative ways of working built around employee flexibility and choice.
While other organizations trimmed staff, Pamela saw market shifts as an opportunity to grow Avanade’s market leadership, expertise and skills. As CEO, she’s doubled the number of Avanade professionals, expanding the company’s skills and reach.
As companies constricted amidst economic uncertainty, Pamela has led Avanade through a historic transformation to assure sustainable growth and long-term client success.
Being black, female and an anomaly in the technology industry has propelled Pamela to help others use technology for good—whether it’s to help a non-profit better support its clients or help organizations use generative AI ethically and responsibly.
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