The Ultimate Guide To Shelly Wedt: Unlocking Success In Business

Kurt Kuvalis 12 Jun 2025

Who is Shelly Wedt and why is she important? Shelly Wedt is an accomplished American business leader and executive. Since 2019, she has served as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, one of the largest United Way organizations in the world.

Prior to joining United Way, Wedt spent 25 years at Accenture, a global management consulting and professional services firm. During her tenure at Accenture, she held various leadership positions, including Senior Managing Director and member of Accenture's Global Management Committee. In this role, she was responsible for leading Accenture's business in the Midwest region of the United States.

Wedt is known for her commitment to corporate social responsibility and her passion for giving back to the community. She is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, and she has been recognized for her leadership in these areas. In 2020, she was named one of the "50 Most Powerful Women in Chicago" by Crain's Chicago Business.

Under Wedt's leadership, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago has made significant progress in addressing the most pressing issues facing the Chicago community, including poverty, education, and health. She has also led the organization through a period of significant growth and innovation. In 2021, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago launched a new strategic plan, "United We Rise," which aims to create a more equitable and just Chicago for all.

Shelly Wedt

Shelly Wedt is an accomplished American business leader and executive who has made significant contributions to the corporate and social sectors. Her expertise in strategic planning, operational excellence, and community engagement has driven positive change in various organizations and communities.

Leadership: Wedt has held senior leadership positions at Accenture and United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, where she has consistently demonstrated her ability to inspire and motivate teams to achieve organizational goals.
Strategic Planning: She played a key role in developing and executing Accenture's growth strategy in the Midwest region and United Way of Metropolitan Chicago's strategic plan, "United We Rise."
Operational Excellence: Wedt has a proven track record of improving operational efficiency and effectiveness, leading to enhanced performance and service delivery.
Community Engagement: She is deeply committed to giving back to the community and has actively supported various social causes, particularly those focused on poverty, education, and health.
Diversity and Inclusion: Wedt is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, and she has been recognized for her leadership in creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace.
Innovation: She is always seeking new and innovative ways to address complex social issues and has led the implementation of several groundbreaking programs and initiatives.

These key aspects highlight Shelly Wedt's multifaceted contributions as a business leader and community champion. Her dedication to driving positive change, combined with her strategic vision and operational expertise, has made her a respected and influential figure in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors.

Name	Shelly Wedt
Title	President and CEO, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago
Education	MBA, University of Chicago Booth School of Business BA, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Awards and Recognition	Crain's Chicago Business "50 Most Powerful Women in Chicago" (2020) United Way Worldwide Tocqueville Society

Leadership

Shelly Wedt's leadership qualities have been instrumental in her success as a business executive and community leader. Her ability to inspire and motivate teams has been a key factor in the achievements of both Accenture and United Way of Metropolitan Chicago.

At Accenture, Wedt led the Midwest region to significant growth and profitability. She also played a key role in developing and executing the company's global strategy. Her strong leadership skills were recognized when she was appointed to Accenture's Global Management Committee.

Since joining United Way of Metropolitan Chicago in 2019, Wedt has led the organization through a period of significant change and growth. She has developed and implemented a new strategic plan, "United We Rise," which aims to create a more equitable and just Chicago for all. Under her leadership, United Way has increased its fundraising and expanded its programs and services.

Wedt's leadership is characterized by her ability to create a clear vision, communicate effectively, and build strong relationships. She is also a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, and she has created a culture of respect and collaboration at both Accenture and United Way.

Wedt's leadership skills have made her a highly sought-after speaker and advisor. She has shared her insights on leadership and social responsibility with audiences around the world.

Strategic Planning

Strategic planning is a critical component of Shelly Wedt's leadership approach. She has a proven track record of developing and executing strategic plans that have led to significant growth and success for both Accenture and United Way of Metropolitan Chicago.

At Accenture, Wedt played a key role in developing and executing the company's growth strategy in the Midwest region. This strategy focused on expanding Accenture's presence in key industries, such as healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing. Wedt also led the development of new service offerings that met the specific needs of Midwest businesses.

Under Wedt's leadership, Accenture's Midwest region experienced significant growth. The region became one of the most profitable and fastest-growing regions for Accenture globally.

Since joining United Way of Metropolitan Chicago in 2019, Wedt has led the development and implementation of a new strategic plan, "United We Rise." This plan focuses on three key areas: education, income, and health. Wedt believes that by investing in these areas, United Way can create a more equitable and just Chicago for all.

"United We Rise" has already had a significant impact on United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. Under Wedt's leadership, the organization has increased its fundraising and expanded its programs and services. United Way has also become a more visible and influential force in the Chicago community.

Wedt's commitment to strategic planning has been a key factor in her success as a business leader and community champion. Her ability to develop and execute strategic plans that deliver results has made her a highly sought-after leader.

Operational Excellence

Operational excellence is a key component of Shelly Wedt's leadership approach. She has a proven track record of improving operational efficiency and effectiveness, leading to enhanced performance and service delivery at both Accenture and United Way of Metropolitan Chicago.

Process Improvement: Wedt is a strong believer in process improvement. She has implemented a number of process improvement initiatives at both Accenture and United Way, which have led to significant efficiency gains and cost savings.
Data-Driven Decision-Making: Wedt is also a strong advocate for data-driven decision-making. She uses data to identify areas for improvement and to track progress. This data-driven approach has helped Wedt to make better decisions and to achieve better results.
Customer Focus: Wedt is always focused on the customer. She understands the importance of meeting the needs of customers and stakeholders. This customer focus has helped Wedt to develop and implement programs and services that are responsive to the needs of the community.
Innovation: Wedt is also a strong advocate for innovation. She is always looking for new and innovative ways to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness. This innovation has led to the development of new programs and services that have had a significant impact on the community.

Wedt's commitment to operational excellence has been a key factor in her success as a business leader and community champion. Her ability to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness has led to enhanced performance and service delivery at both Accenture and United Way of Metropolitan Chicago.

Community Engagement

Shelly Wedt's commitment to community engagement is a defining characteristic of her leadership style. She believes that businesses have a responsibility to give back to the communities in which they operate. This commitment is evident in her work at both Accenture and United Way of Metropolitan Chicago.

At Accenture, Wedt led the development and implementation of the company's global corporate social responsibility strategy. This strategy focused on three key areas: education, employability, and sustainability. Wedt also served on the board of directors of the Accenture Foundation, which provides grants to nonprofit organizations around the world.

Since joining United Way of Metropolitan Chicago in 2019, Wedt has led the organization through a period of significant growth and innovation. Under her leadership, United Way has increased its fundraising and expanded its programs and services. Wedt has also made community engagement a top priority for United Way.

One of Wedt's most significant contributions to community engagement is her work on the United Way's "United We Rise" strategic plan. This plan focuses on three key areas: education, income, and health. Wedt believes that by investing in these areas, United Way can create a more equitable and just Chicago for all.

"United We Rise" has already had a significant impact on the Chicago community. Under Wedt's leadership, United Way has increased its fundraising and expanded its programs and services. United Way has also become a more visible and influential force in the Chicago community.

Wedt's commitment to community engagement is a key factor in her success as a business leader and community champion. Her ability to develop and implement programs and services that meet the needs of the community has made a significant impact on the lives of many people.

Diversity and Inclusion

Shelly Wedt is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, both in the workplace and in the community. She believes that everyone deserves a fair chance to succeed, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or other factors. Wedt has been recognized for her leadership in creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace at both Accenture and United Way of Metropolitan Chicago.

Creating a Diverse and Inclusive Culture: Wedt has worked to create a diverse and inclusive culture at both Accenture and United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. She has implemented a number of programs and initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion, including mentorship programs, unconscious bias training, and employee resource groups.
Advancing Women and Minorities: Wedt is a strong advocate for advancing women and minorities in the workplace. She has worked to create opportunities for women and minorities to develop their careers and to take on leadership roles.
Promoting LGBTQ+ Equality: Wedt is a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ equality. She has worked to create a welcoming and supportive workplace for LGBTQ+ employees, and she has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
Fostering a Sense of Belonging: Wedt believes that it is important for everyone to feel a sense of belonging in the workplace. She has worked to create a culture of respect and inclusion, where everyone feels valued and respected.

Wedt's commitment to diversity and inclusion has made her a role model for other business leaders. She has shown that it is possible to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace, and she has inspired others to do the same. Wedt's work is making a real difference in the lives of many people, and she is helping to create a more just and equitable world.

Innovation

Shelly Wedt is an innovative leader who is always seeking new and innovative ways to address complex social issues. She has led the implementation of several groundbreaking programs and initiatives that have had a significant impact on the community.

For example, at Accenture, Wedt led the development and implementation of a program that helped small businesses in underserved communities to grow and create jobs. This program provided businesses with access to capital, mentorship, and training. As a result of this program, hundreds of small businesses were able to expand their operations and create new jobs.

"United We Rise" includes a number of innovative programs and initiatives, such as a program that provides financial assistance to families who are struggling to make ends meet. This program has helped thousands of families to stay in their homes and avoid eviction. Another innovative program is a program that provides job training and placement services to people who are unemployed or underemployed. This program has helped hundreds of people to find new jobs and improve their lives.

Wedt's commitment to innovation has made her a role model for other business leaders. She has shown that it is possible to use innovation to address complex social issues and to make a real difference in the world.

FAQs on Shelly Wedt

This section presents frequently asked questions about Shelly Wedt's background, career, and leadership style.

Question 1: What is Shelly Wedt's educational background?

Answer: Wedt holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Question 2: What leadership positions has Shelly Wedt held?

Answer: Wedt has served as President and CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago since 2019. Prior to that, she spent 25 years at Accenture, where she held various leadership positions, including Senior Managing Director and member of Accenture's Global Management Committee.

Question 3: What is Shelly Wedt's leadership style?

Answer: Wedt is known for her commitment to strategic planning, operational excellence, community engagement, diversity and inclusion, and innovation.

Question 4: What are some of Shelly Wedt's accomplishments?

Answer: Wedt was named one of the "50 Most Powerful Women in Chicago" by Crain's Chicago Business in 2020. She has also been recognized for her leadership in corporate social responsibility and her commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Question 5: What is Shelly Wedt's vision for United Way of Metropolitan Chicago?

Answer: Wedt envisions a more equitable and just Chicago for all. She believes that by investing in education, income, and health, United Way can make a significant impact on the community.

Question 6: What is the significance of Shelly Wedt's leadership?

Answer: Wedt is a role model for other business leaders. She has shown that it is possible to use innovation to address complex social issues and to make a real difference in the world.

In summary, Shelly Wedt is a highly accomplished business leader and community champion. Her strategic vision, operational expertise, and commitment to social responsibility have made her a respected and influential figure in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors.

Proceed to the next section for further insights about Shelly Wedt's work.

Conclusion

Shelly Wedt is an accomplished business leader and community champion whose strategic vision, operational expertise, and commitment to social responsibility have made her a respected and influential figure in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. Her work at Accenture and United Way of Metropolitan Chicago has had a significant impact on the lives of many people, and she is a role model for other business leaders who want to make a difference in the world.

Wedt's commitment to diversity and inclusion is particularly noteworthy. She has worked tirelessly to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace, and she has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Her work in this area has made a real difference in the lives of many people, and it has helped to create a more just and equitable world.

Wedt is a true visionary leader who is always looking for new and innovative ways to address complex social issues. Her work is making a real difference in the world, and she is an inspiration to us all.

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Behind The Mask

The Ultimate Guide To Shelly Wedt: Unlocking Success In Business

Shelly Wedt

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Operational Excellence

Community Engagement

Diversity and Inclusion

Innovation

FAQs on Shelly Wedt

Conclusion

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