US names Dan Priest as Chief AI Officer and Ellen Walsh as Sustainability Executive Sponsor

New York, NY, July 16, 2024 – As PwC enters FY25 and explores opportunities to create new value for clients, the firm is increasing its investments in the fast-growing areas of AI and sustainability. As businesses prioritize growth and reinvention within an evolving business landscape, they recognize AI and sustainability as central to success. According to our latest Pulse Survey, 73% of executives say they plan to use GenAI to change their business model and 61% of executives say climate poses a risk to their business. PwC is committed to addressing the urgent challenges and opportunities presented by these areas and helping clients navigate the evolving landscape of AI and sustainability, both now and in the future.

Advancing the firm’s three-year, $1B investment, to help clients reimagine their business through the power of GenAI, the firm today named Dan Priest as its Chief AI Officer. With more than 25 years of strategy, operations and technology leadership experience, Priest will lead the US firm and its clients in navigating the complexities and opportunities of AI and harnessing its power to enable strategic transformation. 

“Last year was about exploring generative AI’s potential and ability to shape and disrupt how business is done,” said Dan Priest, Chief AI Officer, PwC US. “Going forward, we are focused on unlocking the transformative power of AI to help our clients achieve advantage in an increasingly competitive market.”

To help clients achieve growth through sustainability, PwC is building on the firm’s three decades of sustainability experience, advanced technology capabilities and strong network of alliances. Today, the firm named Ellen Walsh as Sustainability Executive Sponsor. With a deep background in business and operations transformation and enterprise strategy, Walsh will lead the firm’s efforts to support clients in a holistic approach to sustainability that drives long-term growth and delivers investor-grade reporting.  

“Sustainability strategy is becoming increasingly urgent in all industries, and has enormous potential to fuel growth and efficiency, mitigate risk and strengthen enterprise trust,” said Ellen Walsh, Sustainability Executive Sponsor, PwC US. “We’re looking forward to harnessing the full capabilities of PwC, including our sustainable technology solutions, to help our clients realize this important opportunity.” 

PwC’s increased investments in AI and sustainability reflect an ongoing commitment to supporting clients as they navigate these important opportunities. By bringing together experience across the firm and within our strategic alliances, PwC's AI and Sustainability teams are poised to drive innovation and catalyze lasting change.