NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Seema Pajula has been named a vice chairman and the U.S. leader of Deloitte's consumer and industrial products industry group – the firm's largest industry practice with more than 12,000 professionals across its audit, consulting, advisory and tax businesses.
Based in Chicago, Pajula, a partner with Deloitte & Touche LLP, joined Deloitte in 2002 and has since led service delivery for some of the organization's largest and most complex global clients. She has led Deloitte's Chicago audit practice since 2011.
"Seema has quickly proven herself as a leader with her clients and teams – helping them tackle complex business challenges and working to help build trust in the capital markets," said Brian Kanter, Deloitte's U.S. clients and industries leader. "I'm confident that our consumer and industrial products practice will benefit from her passion for making a positive and enduring impact."
She will continue to spearhead a number of significant client relationships. Pajula will help these clients respond to regulatory, growth, technology and innovation challenges.
Pajula earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Northern Illinois University and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society. In 2015, she was elected to the board of the Leadership Greater Chicago Program, which brings 30 business, civic and government leaders together to understand and help solve Chicago's most challenging issues. She also serves on the board of Chicago Scholars, and is a member of the Executives Club. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pajula has lived in London, Hawaii and several other U.S. locations.
She becomes the first woman to lead Deloitte's consumer and industrial products industry group, and the second woman to be tapped to head a Deloitte industry group in the U.S. in the last year, alongside Sandra T. Shirai – who was named in October 2015 to head Deloitte's U.S. technology, media and telecommunications practice.
Pajula takes on her new role from Doug Bade, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP, who served as the consumer and industrial products practice leader since 2013. Consistent with Deloitte's commitment to its clients, he will now focus on increasing global responsibilities, as well as continue supporting the commercialization of Deloitte's innovation capabilities.
Kanter added: "I want to thank Doug for the value he's created for both our clients and Deloitte while leading the practice, and for his ongoing global client service leadership."
Deloitte's consumer and industrial products practice delivers insights on the latest issues affecting the industry, and effective practices to assist clients operating in numerous sectors: aerospace and defense; automotive; consumer products; retail and distribution; process and industrial products; and travel, hospitality and leisure.
About Deloitte
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