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Michael Hughes
Full Name
Michael Hughes
Job Title
Former Director of Sustainability Strategy and UN Programs
Company
Accenture PLC
Speaker Bio
Michael focuses his work at the vital intersection of technology and sustainable development. As a trusted advisor to senior executives and international organizations, he has spent over a decade translating complex global regulations and emerging technology capabilities into high-growth private sector strategies and scalable digital solutions.

Most recently, Michael served as a Strategy & Sustainability Director at Accenture leading the North America Sustainability Strategy team. This team worked across sectors to identify sustainability opportunities for clients and work collaboratively to achieve their ambitions. He also worked closely to shape and expand the firm's sustainability partnerships with key technology players such as SAP and Salesforce.

For several years, Michael also led Accenture's partnership with the United Nations Global Compact. In this role, he collaborated with the UN Global Compact to pioneer digital-first sustainability models such as SDG Ambition, creative strategies to support the Forward Faster initiative, and sustainable supplier programs to accelerate corporate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A recognized thought leader on next-generation corporate responsibility, Michael has led research for recent publications including Generative AI for the Global Goals: The Private Sector’s Guide to Accelerating Sustainable Development with Technology. He has also led efforts behind the UN Global Compact-Accenture CEO Study, a seminal global analysis on the evolving geopolitical and technological pressures facing modern CEOs. He frequently shares his insights on major global stages, including the World Economic Forum and UN Climate Week.

Michael is a proud alum of both the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan. He currently resides in New York City.
Michael Hughes