Janet Truncale officially took the helm as Global Chair and CEO of Ernst & Young (EY) on July 1, 2024, becoming the first woman to lead a Big Four accounting firm. Her appointment follows the planned retirement of Carmine Di Sibio and a carefully structured succession plan that reflects EY’s broader strategy to modernize leadership and accelerate organizational transformation.
Truncale’s ascension is the culmination of more than three decades with EY. She began her career at the firm as an intern in 1991 and steadily advanced through a range of senior roles. Most recently, she served as Regional Managing Partner of EY’s Americas Financial Services Organization (FSO), where she led more than 14,000 professionals across the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Israel.
Now at the helm of a global organization with approximately 400,000 employees in over 150 countries and annual revenues exceeding $51 billion, Truncale steps into the role at a moment of strategic recalibration for the firm. Earlier this year, EY abandoned its much-publicized “Project Everest” plan to split its audit and consulting businesses—an initiative that had divided internal leadership and raised questions about the firm’s long-term direction.
In response, Truncale launched a new internal strategy called “All In,” focused on reintegrating operational silos, increasing efficiency, and reinforcing a unified identity across the firm’s global practice areas. Her approach prioritizes cross-border collaboration and the adoption of cutting-edge digital tools to better serve multinational clients.
Truncale also brings a strong commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, and she has pledged to integrate sustainability principles more deeply into EY’s global operations. Her emphasis on innovation is matched by a firm belief in creating a more inclusive professional environment.
A longstanding advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Truncale has made representation and mentorship key pillars of her leadership style. Under her stewardship, EY has continued to bolster its DEI metrics. As of 2024, women represent 48% of EY’s U.S. workforce and 36% of its partners—figures that signal steady progress but still leave room for growth.
Though Truncale has expressed discomfort with being labeled solely as a “first,” she acknowledges the symbolic importance of her appointment. “I hope my leadership can be an example, especially to young women in the industry,” she said in a recent interview. “But it’s equally about performance, accountability, and moving our firm forward.”
Her historic promotion has been widely praised as a breakthrough for gender diversity in professional services. Industry observers say it may signal a broader shift in how global firms recognize and elevate leadership talent beyond traditional norms.
With her combination of institutional knowledge, global perspective, and forward-thinking agenda, Truncale is now tasked with not only steering EY through a complex and evolving marketplace but also setting a new precedent for what leadership looks like in the world’s most influential financial firms.
