Veta T. Richardson, President and CEO of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), the largest association representing corporate lawyers worldwide, advised the ACC Board of Directors of her desire for the 2025 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia to be her last as President & CEO. She gave the ACC Board a full year’s notice, providing ample time for the organization to identify its next CEO. Following her departure, Richardson intends to serve on corporate boards, teach at Georgetown University Law Center, and pursue her many other passions and interests, including a sequel to Take Six, her bestselling career guide.
During her tenure as CEO over the past 13 years, Richardson solidified the association’s position as the leading advocate for corporate lawyers worldwide, using an innovative agility framework to drive global expansion through a combination of mergers and organic growth. Richardson spearheaded the transformation of how ACC does business and prioritized the needs of its stakeholders. Under her leadership, ACC introduced award-winning workforce initiatives, market-leading educational programs, and leveraged technology to provide best-in-class research and information services that empower in-house counsel to add greater global value. The impact of these strategies enabled ACC to scale revenue exponentially, double its membership to 48,000+ members, extend its reach to 100+ nations, and shape public policies impacting the in-house practice of law.
“I am grateful to have led such a great organization, and I credit ACC’s success to our amazing staff who rose to every challenge. Together we turned strategies into results,” said Richardson. “I would also like to thank ACC’s global board of directors, chapter and network leaders, members, and our many sponsors and partner organizations for their trust and support. Serving as ACC’s CEO has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I will continue to treasure the many friendships I’ve made over the years.”
One of Richardson’s most notable achievements is transforming ACC’s workplace culture. Through her people-first approach, she fostered a caring, collaborative, diverse, and inclusive professional environment, which resulted in the association being recognized with several “Great Place to Work” designations.
“We express our heartfelt gratitude to Veta Richardson for her commitment to excellence, leadership, and passion as she leaves an indelible mark on the legal and business communities,” said Cristina Gonzalez, Chair of the ACC global board of directors and Chief Legal Officer of Staples, Inc. “Under Veta’s leadership, the association has not only weathered change in the face of disruption and exponentially scaled revenue, she strategically repositioned ACC to meet the evolving needs of corporate lawyers worldwide.”
The Association of Corporate Counsel has retained Korn Ferry to conduct a thorough search for a new CEO to build upon Richardson’s accomplishments and lead the organization into its next chapter.
While Richardson’s planned departure marks the end of an era, ACC remains steadfastly committed to maintaining stability and continuity for its members. “Our robust succession planning and strong executive leadership team will ensure a smooth transition as we continue to advance our mission and strategic objectives,” added Gonzalez.
“We are grateful for Veta Richardson’s visionary leadership and the foundation she has laid for ACC’s continued success, “said Tracy Preston, Immediate Past Chair of the ACC global board of directors and Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of Macy’s, Inc. “Our board is committed to ensuring a smooth transition and building upon the remarkable legacy Veta leaves behind.”
ACC remains committed to its mission of promoting the common professional and business interests of in-house counsel who work for corporations, associations, and other organizations through education, information resources, networking, and advocacy. For more information about ACC and ongoing initiatives, please visit the ACC newsroom at acc.com/about/newsroom.