In a time when business executives increasingly feel like they have to change jobs to advance their career, Joe Atkinson is truly unique. For nearly 30 years, Atkinson has not only been working for the same company, he's been thriving — as evinced by the fact that he's now considered to be one of PwC's most influential decision makers. His story, more than anything, is a stark reminder that sometimes hunkering down in one organization may be the best way to achieve long-term success.

Atkinson joined PwC in 1993, having recently graduated from the Smeal College of Business at Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science in finance. It didn't take him long to realize that his passion resided in the management consulting business, and by 2001 he was admitted to PwC’s partnership. From there, Atkinson worked his way up the ranks, serving in a variety of leadership and management roles during his career, including being elected to PwC's Board of Partners & Principals. Whether leading cross-disciplinary teams that greatly improve financial and operational performance for clients, or supporting the delivery of a world-class customer experience, Atkinson has distinguished himself over and over again.

His most recent promotion occurred in July 2020 when he accepted the role of Chief Products & Technology Officer at PwC. Atkinson is responsible for leading PwC — which achieved revenues of more than $50 billion in 2022 — through the evolution and next wave of the company’s digital transformation. This includes accelerating growth in go-to-market products and digital solutions as well as technology capabilities across the entire company.

Key to Atkinson's preparation for such a large responsibility is the success he had in previous roles. Prior to serving as CPTO, he spent nearly three years as PwC's Chief Digital Officer. He also served as leader for PwC’s U.S. Technology, Media & Telcom (TMT) practice.

In addition to being a recognized thought leader in the industry, Atkinson is a strong advocate for giving back to the community. As an actively engaged civic leader, he has served on numerous boards. This includes being a Trustee for the Community Foundation of South Jersey, being a member of the Advisory Board for the Pennsylvania State University College of Information Sciences & Technology, and serving as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Bancroft, a non-profit health and human services organization.