Park Fellows Alumni Spotlight: Shannon Boyle, MBA ’19
Shannon Boyle, MBA ’19 is a manager of strategy at Accenture. Current Park Fellow Austin Fields MBA ’26 met with Boyle to discuss the evolution of her approach to leadership, and she reflects on the influence of her time in the U.S. Army; transitioning to Accenture; motherhood; and the Park Leadership Fellows Program.
What do you remember and appreciate about your time as a Park Fellow?
For Boyle, the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell was the only university that provided the small, tight-knit community she was looking for in an MBA program. From the beginning, she felt a sense of belonging. This sentiment was exemplified when, upon birth of her first son at the end of the first semester, she had a community of people who helped her transition into being a new mom — from meal drop-offs to babysitting to listening to her sleepless ramblings.
The Roy H. Park Fellowship deepened the sense of connection, offering an open dialogue where she grew from the program’s lessons and from the perspectives of her peers. It was a safe environment to try, to stumble, and to learn about leadership, supported by a mutual commitment to one another’s growth as leaders and as people. Among her most memorable experiences was the “beehive” activity, where fellows posed reflective questions about themselves and received candid, heartfelt feedback from the group. For Boyle, these moments exemplified the Park Fellowship’s blending of leadership development with genuine community.
How has your leadership style evolved through different stages of your life?
One of Boyle’s early leadership positions was in the U.S. Army, where she served as a company commander. The Army instilled in her a deep sense of service and taught her that leadership is a constant, iterative process — one where reflection often reveals how situations could have been handled better. She recognized that soldiers were more than just roles within a unit — they were individuals with families, friends, and lives beyond their uniforms.
A second leadership position came when she became a finance officer, learning how to lead through influence rather than authority. In the Army, there isn’t always time to explain decisions, but when time allows, providing context and reasoning builds trust — trust that becomes critical in moments when swift action is required without the opportunity for detailed explanation.
Transitioning into civilian life through the Johnson School and later Accenture, Boyle noticed a sharp contrast: Unlike the Army, where everyone operates from shared rules and customs, civilian teams — like the Johnson School’s intentionally diverse core groups — bring different perspectives and levels of knowledge to the table. This shift required more deliberation, dialogue, and consensus to work through difficult problems. Through it all, Boyle has anchored her leadership in values, emphasizing the importance of understanding the people she works with — an approach she sees as essential for excelling as a leader.
You have “mom” listed as the first thing in your LinkedIn profile. Can you talk a little bit about why you chose to do that, and what being a mother means to you?
Boyle says being a mother is the most meaningful responsibility she holds. “Raising good humans is one of the best things you can do,” she says, noting the profound impact and responsibility that comes with it. Her perspective was sharpened during the recruitment process, when — while noticeably pregnant — an interviewer from another institution questioned why she would choose to get pregnant while pursuing an MBA. That moment underscored for Boyle the importance of finding an environment where she could be fully accepted and valued as a professional and a person. Being open about who she is, clearly communicating her priorities, and dedicating herself to them fully has shaped her career choices and strengthened her leadership and authenticity, she says.
Do you have any parting advice for current Park Fellows or alumni?
Looking back, Boyle encourages current and future Park Fellows to be intentional with their time. “The program goes by so quickly — two years isn’t nearly enough to do everything you’ll want to,” she reflects. With so many opportunities available, she emphasizes the importance of prioritization: Focus on what truly matters to you and commit to it fully. Life, she notes, is a series of trade-offs, and the best way to honor your values is to spend your most valuable resource — time — on the people, experiences, and goals that align with them.
Boyle has drawn inspiration from the career of Accenture CEO Julie Sweet and recommends a July article from Fortune that, along with discussing artificial intelligence and its role in consulting, highlights Sweet’s path to leadership of a Fortune 500 company.
About the author
Austin Fields is a second-year MBA student in the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management and a Roy H. Park Leadership Fellow. Prior to business school, Fields served in the U.S. Army in the 82nd Airborne Division, in which he led a platoon and later a company of paratroopers. This experience helped him hone his leadership skills and ability to operate in dynamic environments. Over the summer, Fields was a summer associate at Strategy& (PwC). At the Johnson School, he is a career working group leader and a Johnson Leadership Fellow.