On October 22, 2025, The University of Vermont’s Grossman School of Business hosted alumni Julie Boland ’88, U.S. CEO and Managing Partner at Ernst & Young (EY), as part of the Dean’s Leadership Speaker Series. Boland, who leads more than 95,000 professionals across 33 countries, shared insights from her career journey and her philosophy on leadership, purpose, and people in a conversation moderated by Emma Zwycewicz. 

Recognized by Fortune as one of the Most Powerful Women in Business and named to Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting, Boland spoke on “Building the Next Generation of Leaders: Understand the People Side of Business.” She emphasized that leadership doesn’t need to be dramatic to have impact: “It doesn’t have to be big or bold, it just has to be important to you.”

Boland centered much of her message around people, the foundation of every organization. “It’s all about the people and your connections with them,” she said. “We learn from others, both older and younger than us.” She encouraged students to think beyond resumes and titles, posing the question, “Who would you want to be stuck in an airport with?” A humorous yet meaningful reminder that strong organizations are built on authentic human connection.

Advice for Grossman School Students

Throughout her talk, Boland highlighted the importance of adapting to change. With artificial intelligence and technology evolving rapidly, she noted, “You have to learn and adapt with it and the situations that arise, or else you’ll fall behind.” Yet amidst innovation and complexity, she urged students to remain grounded in purpose: “Find what makes you happy and what drives you.”

She also spoke candidly about work-life balance. As a mother of four, she acknowledged both the challenge and necessity of maintaining equilibrium between professional and personal priorities. Boland emphasized that work-life balance and the people you work with are everything, enhancing that balance is possible when one prioritizes fulfillment and relationships alongside ambition. Themes of risk-taking and resilience ran throughout her remarks. Boland encouraged students to take chances, big or small, and to view every setback as an opportunity for growth. Even in difficult times, each experience can serve as a catalyst for development. She underscored the importance of trusting intuition and leading with empathy; how you should trust your gut and give leniency, but know when to pull back.

Leadership Begins with People and Purpose

When addressing career choices, she urged students to prioritize the right culture fit over prestige: “If you’re between two decisions for job offers, while it could be an opportunity with a big well-known company, if the people and opportunities aren’t right, then it’s not for you.” Her warmth and humor stood out as she reflected on the importance of surrounding yourself with people who bring joy into your life. She encouraged students to surround themselves with people who find humor in your life, even the chaotic pieces. 

During a lively student Q&A session, Boland fielded questions on leadership under pressure, navigating career transitions, and the role of values in executive decision-making. Her responses reflected both humility and clarity, emphasizing that integrity, connection, and adaptability are essential in any leader. Boland also highlighted the parallel between the values that have guided her career and those embedded in UVM’s ethos. “The values of UVM and EY are so similar, integrity, respect, and doing what’s right,” she said.

Her visit left a powerful impression on the Grossman community, underscoring that leadership, at its core, begins with people and purpose.

About the Author:

Sophie Ball-Dolan is a Junior at the University of Vermont's Grossman School of Business, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a theme in Entrepreneurship and a concentration in Marketing. Complementing her business studies, she is also double minoring in Environmental Studies & English. Her professional experience includes leadership and associate roles at a local grocery store, serving as Vice President of Communications for the UVM Marketing Club, and her current position as a Marketing and Communications Assistant at the Grossman School of Business. A native of Hinesburg, Vermont, her interests include reading, art, and spending time with family, friends, and pets.

Photos: Ben Chiappinelli