Jimmy Etheredge, Chief Executive Officer for North America at Accenture, has accepted the TechBridge Founder’s Award on behalf of Accenture. Etheredge leads Accenture’s business in the United States — the company’s largest market — and Canada. A graduate of Georgia Tech, Mr. Etheredge has been working and serving in the Atlanta community for over 30 years.

Partnering Since the Beginning

It’s really fitting to recognize Accenture at our 20^th Anniversary [Digital Ball], because they were so critical at the beginning of TechBridge. They were the first organization when just hearing the vision of TechBridge, were able to support us …. Accenture’s consistent level of support of the Digital Ball has sustained us through the dot com bomb, the 2007 downturn, and now COVID.

— Scott Geller, TechBridge Cofounder

Accenture has partnered with TechBridge since the organization’s inception. Tiffany Brott, Accenture’s Senior Manager of Marketing and Communication, recognized TechBridge’s potential back in 2000 when Scott Geller, TechBridge co-founder, pitched a vision. Geller says It’s really fitting to recognize Accenture at our 20^th Anniversary [Digital Ball] because they were so critical at the beginning of TechBridge. They were the first organization when just hearing the vision of TechBridge, were able to support us …. Accenture’s consistent level of support of the Digital Ball has sustained us through the dot com bomb, the 2007 downturn, and now COVID.

Accenture is a Partner-level sponsor for the TechBridge Digital Event Series, which includes the annual Digital Ball.

The Technology Career Program

Accenture has been a dependable partner over the past 20 years by providing expertise, volunteers, and funding. In 2017, Keith Boone and Etheredge were instrumental in the founding of the Technology Career Program (TCP). The TCP is a free, part-time certification training course providing unemployed and underemployed adults with marketable, in-demand skills including Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, and CompTIA A+. TCP graduates interview with partner employers for entry-level technology roles and receive six months of career coaching and mentorship. Accenture has welcomed over a dozen TCP graduates into their firm as full-time employees.

Shared Values

TechBridge and Accenture are both committed to using technology to improve the lives of others. With their Atlanta offices only 12 blocks away in Midtown, these organizations have a lot in common regarding their vision and philosophies. During his acceptance speech, Jimmy Etheredge said that Accenture is committed to TechBridge because we share many of the same passions: innovating, helping nonprofits, ending poverty, and increasing diversity among technology professionals.

TechBridge is grateful for the support Accenture has shown over the past 20 years and is excited to see what innovations are to come in the next 20.

Jimmy Etheredge was presented the Founders Award by Scott Geller and Steve Linowes, TechBridge co-founders, during the 20^th Anniversary Digital Ball, which was held virtually on September 24, 2020. Watch the video of Etheredge’s acceptance speech at our 20^th Annual Digital Ball and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.