Lehman alumna Nellie Borrero (’95), managing director of Global Inclusion & Diversity at Accenture, a leading global professional services company, returned to campus to speak with students in the School of Business about her book Unwavering: Rejecting bias, igniting change and the challenges and triumphs she faced steering Accenture’s progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion.  

“It’s important for us to be seen, and heard, and valued. I used my voice to advocate for change,” said Nellie during the conversation.  

Nellie’s journey led her down a transformative path that helped change corporate environments and embrace diversity. Yet one path she never walked was across the stage with her diploma in hand—until last week.  

The November 14 event was organized around a conversation with Dene Hurley, dean of the School of Business, but prefacing that, in a full-circle moment, the School held a ceremonial graduation complete with regalia and special guests. Nellie’s mother, husband, daughter, and grandson surprised the Accenture executive as Provost Jorge Silva-Puras officiated the ceremony, an event Nellie was unable to attend when she graduated from Lehman. 

Nellie’s work has made a lasting impact, and she remains focused on her commitment to advancing diversity.

Watch Nellie on Tik Tok for some career advice.