Susan Butler

Susan Bulkeley Butler is one of America's leading experts on the subject of women's leadership development. The principles of her book "Become the CEO of You, Inc." are rooted in a four-part change management program that Butler credits with her own success in propelling her from growing up in Abingdon, Illinois (population 3500), to taking her place as one of America's foremost women executives. Today, Butler is recognized for her commitment to shaping the women business leaders of tomorrow. She advises future leaders to "make things happen for you, rather than let them happen to you."

Butler’s latest book, "Women Count: A Guide to Changing the World," shows readers how to change the world through a series of inspiring case studies that chronicle how she and other pioneering women in a range of fields have done so in years past. Whether on the job, in politics, or in their community, there has never been a better time for women to make a difference in the world.

Prior to founding the Susan Bulkeley Butler Institute for the Development of Women Leaders, Butler established herself as an accomplished business leader who shaped her career at Accenture, the world's leading management consulting and technology services organization. After joining the company in 1965 as its first professional female employee, she was named its first female partner 14 years later. Before her retirement in 2002, Butler was the Managing Partner for Accenture's Office of the CEO, in which she served as Chief of Staff for Accenture's Chairman & CEO, Joe W. Forehand. Her key responsibilities included serving as the liaison between the CEO and Accenture's client teams worldwide to effectively manage the CEO's external and internal presence. Butler also oversaw the planning and development of strategic communications and managed quality assurance for the Office of the CEO.

Speaking on various topics such as leadership, women's issues, diversity, career development, change management, coaching management, and education, Butler has informed and inspired thousands of audiences ranging in size from 5 to 500. The presentations she delivers range from "Becoming CEO of You, Inc." to using her proprietary Four-Quadrant Change Model to realize potential and achieve goals.

Butler holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management and an Honorary Doctorate in Management from Purdue University. She founded the Susan Bulkeley Butler Chair in Operations Management at Purdue's Krannert School and has also endowed scholarships and awards for outstanding students at Purdue and Simmons College.

Butler has been a member of the National Board of Directors of the Girl Scouts of the USA and in 2003, was appointed to the worldwide board of Junior Achievement.

In 2002, Butler received the "Sagamore of the Wabash" Award, which is the highest honor bestowed by the Governor of Indiana for distinguished service to the state, and whose prior recipients include presidents, ambassadors, artists, and astronauts. In 2001, Upside magazine named Butler to its list of "The 50 Most Remarkable Women in Technology" who have moved the industry "beyond the glass-ceiling cliché." In addition, Butler has played leadership roles in both the Committee of 200 and the International Women's Forum; both organizations of the world's most senior executive and professional women.