Accenture Managing Director Alexis Perez has learned that the most transformative “yes” was the one defined on her own terms. This insight has guided the pivotal decisions in her career, from her earliest internships to the leadership choices she makes today. Each moment of growth began with a deliberate decision about what she was ready to take on and what she chose to set aside.

That clarity took shape gradually. It developed through early experiences that showed her what energized her, what didn’t, and what she wanted her work to feel like. One of the first moments that revealed this came during college, when two very different internships helped her see how the right yes can shape a career. These experiences have shaped the guidance she now shares with women who are navigating similar moments in their own professional paths.

Saying Yes to Curiosity

As a mechanical engineering major, Alexis did a summer internship at Caterpillar. While the role gave her valuable exposure to engineering work, she soon realized she wanted a broader view of the business and more interaction with diverse teams. When she returned the following summer in a manufacturing role, everything felt different. She discovered how much she enjoyed problem solving, collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders, and tackling operational challenges. That shift became her first real lesson in the power of choosing opportunities that fit her strengths.

Lesson: Pay attention to what energizes you. Your instincts often point you toward the right path.

Saying Yes to a New Way of Working

Years later, after becoming a mother, Alexis stepped into an internal role that provided the stability she needed. When a mentor encouraged her to return to client work, she initially resisted. She couldn’t imagine a return to the intense travel schedule she had managed before parenthood. Instead of declining outright, however, she discussed with leadership what a sustainable model could look like.

Together, they created a plan that supported both her family and her career goals. That choice allowed her to re-engage with client work while setting healthy boundaries. It also gave younger consultants a visible example of how to build careers that support the full picture of their lives.

Lesson: A sustainable yes begins with knowing what you need to thrive.

Saying Yes to Leading with Real Life

Alexis is open with her teams about her priorities inside and outside of work. With two demanding careers in the household, she sometimes navigates school events or parenting logistics on her own. Rather than hide those realities, she shows her teams that strong leaders can have full lives. She has even brought her daughter to team dinners or into the office when needed. This openness normalizes balance and builds trust across her teams.

Lesson:  Saying yes to your whole life helps others feel empowered to do the same.

Saying Yes to Mentorship that Fits the Moment

Alexis believes mentorship works best when it reflects what you need in a specific season. When she was pregnant and unsure how to navigate a consulting career as a new parent, she reached out to a colleague who had recently returned from maternity leave. That single conversation offered clarity at exactly the right time. Today, she shares that same kind of guidance with rising women leaders through opportunities like the Forté Women’s Conference and the Women of Color Symposium.

Lesson: Look for mentors who fit the moment you are in, not every moment you will ever face.

Saying Yes to Her Own Ambition

Alexis encourages the people she mentors to speak openly about their aspirations, because she knows leaders can’t advocate for goals they don’t know about. She also advises them to use opportunities to highlight their work, share their expertise, and demonstrate their leadership potential in visible ways. These choices build credibility well before promotion conversations begin.

Lesson: Speak up about your goals. Advocacy begins with your own voice.

Saying Yes to Purpose

Above all, Alexis continues to say “yes” to meaningful work. She loves partnering with clients to improve their operations and reduce risk. She enjoys the variety that comes with a career in consulting, the creativity required to solve complex problems, and the talented teams that surround her at Accenture. Her purposeful yes has helped her build a career that is both successful and sustainable.

Final Lesson: The most transformative yes is the one you choose on your own terms.