Joe Depa Appointed as Global Chief Innovation Officer at EY to Lead Innovation Strategy

Joe Depa Joins EY as Chief Innovation Officer

EY, a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction, and advisory services, has announced the appointment of Joe Depa as its new Global Chief Innovation Officer, effective immediately. In this vital role, Depa will focus on driving innovation initiatives to enhance service delivery while addressing persistent business challenges for the EY teams and their clients.

Depa's appointment comes at a pivotal moment as organizations face a wave of technological changes reshaping industries and creating an array of new challenges and opportunities. The EY organization is committed to investing significantly in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and blockchain technologies. Recently, they launched the EY.ai Global AI Advisory Council to reinforce their commitment to innovation.

As Global Chief Innovation Officer, Depa will oversee the implementation of new technologies within the firm and support member firms in delivering solutions to their clients. Raj Sharma, EY Global Managing Partner of Growth and Innovation, emphasized that success in today's rapidly changing environment requires a forward-thinking approach and the willingness to make bold decisions. He expressed confidence that Depa's extensive experience in AI and data would significantly drive the firm's strategic innovation efforts.

Before joining EY, Joe Depa served as the first Chief Data and AI Officer at a major university and healthcare institution. In that position, he advanced AI education, established a responsible AI governance program, and built a robust data infrastructure. Previously, he was the Senior Managing Director and Global Lead for Data and AI in a multinational service organization, where he managed a team of AI strategists and data engineers to roll out innovative products and services.

"I'm thrilled to join an organization that is dedicated to harnessing the transformative potential of emerging technologies," commented Depa. He looked forward to collaborating with EY teams and clients to utilize data, AI, and other technologies innovatively, creating value for customers and improving the world in the process.

Recognized as a thought leader in AI, Depa has earned accolades, including being named one of the 'Top 50 Global Leaders' by the World Summit AI and winning the Fast Company Award for 'World Changing Idea'.

EY's commitment to building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society, and the planet is reflected in their drive to empower organizations to shape their futures confidently. By utilizing data, AI, and advanced technologies, EY teams help clients address today's pressing questions and navigate tomorrow's challenges.

With a presence in more than 150 countries and a wide range of services in audit, consulting, tax, and transactions, EY's global network of professionals is equipped to meet client needs through comprehensive industry insights and strong partnerships.

To learn more about how EY is making an impact, visit ey.com.

About EY: EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited. Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information on how EY collects and uses personal data, as well as a description of individuals' rights under data privacy laws, visit ey.com/privacy.

Press Release Issue Date: November 27, 2024