George Shaheen

George Shaheen spent his formative career rising through the ranks of Arthur Andersen, gaining extensive experience in enterprise consulting and technological implementation. As the Managing Partner of the consulting division, he recognized that the technological implementation services were fundamentally outgrowing the legacy accounting business, driving the controversial internal push for total independence. This operational and strategic background allowed him to successfully navigate the complex arbitration process that birthed Accenture.

George Shaheen is widely recognized as the primary architect of the independent Accenture PLC. Joining Arthur Andersen in 1967, he rose through the ranks to lead the consulting and technology division, transforming it into a global leader that generated more revenue than the firm's traditional audit practice. Shaheen believed that the consulting arm needed independence to reach its full potential, free from the governance and cultural constraints of the audit partners. He led the charge in the bitter 1998-2000 dispute that resulted in the International Chamber of Commerce arbitration, securing the $1.2 billion buyout that granted Andersen Consulting its freedom. As the first CEO of the newly rebranded Accenture, Shaheen navigated the firm through a challenging IPO during the dot-com crash and the reputational fallout from the collapse of Arthur Andersen following the Enron scandal. His aggressive leadership and steady commitment to independence forged the resilient, optimized organization that Accenture is today.