James J. Schiro
CEO
PricewatershouseCoopers

Throughout his career, James J. Schiro has been an active initiator and champion of efforts to advance women's careers, bring greater diveristy to the workplace, and help everyone achieve that elusive work/life balance. As the global chief executive officer of PricewaterhouseCoopers, the world's largest professional services organization, Schiro has led the way in establishing the policies and programs required to make the professional services environment more attractive to women and other talented employees.

For example, PricewaterhouseCoopers was the first professional services organization to offer a corporate lactation program so that new mothers could continue breastfeeding after returning to work. It has also been a leader in implementing flexible work schedules, leave for parents who are adopting children, emergency childcare backup services, and eldercare referral programs. Other initiatives undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers under Schiro's leadership include a Women Partners' Network Conference, where women partners and other senior executives address ways to further encourage diversity in the workplace. PricewaterhouseCoopers also has Diversity/Worklife Champions reporting directly to Schiro, who work with the organization's leaders to ensure that diversity remains top of mind in firm decisions--and, importantly, that appropriate evaluation, accountability, and measurement systems are in place to promote cultural change.

Today, 45 percent of the people of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are women, with many occupying leadership positions. Last year, a greater percentage of women partners were admitted to PricewaterhouseCoopers than any other Big Five firm. By setting the tone at the top, Schiro has been an effective advocate for women in the workplace, and he says that this will continue to be a personal priority for him in the years ahead.