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CONTACT THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
2021 EDITION
Celebrating F E AT U R E
An Introduction to Our New CXO PG. 26
Members on the Move a nd in the Media
of Inclusive Leadership ELCINFO.COM
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ON THE COVER: ELC Board Chair Lloyd W. Brown, II and ELC President and CEO Michael C. Hyter at the 2021 ELC Virtual Gala. C O U N C I L
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ELC SENIOR STAFF Michael C. Hyter President & CEO
The Official Publication of The Executive Leadership Council
Penelope Thornton Talley Senior Vice President and Chief Experience Officer
2021 Edition
LaTese Briggs Vice President & Chief Philanthropy Officer
elcinfo.com/contact-magazine EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Libi Sprow Rice EDITOR Joseph Graham CONTRIBUTORS Libi Sprow Rice Eden Godbee Joseph Graham Scott R. Bolden Barbara Diggs-Brown Michael Dutton DESIGNER Black Digital
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Hannibal L. Brumskine II Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Christopher C. Butts, Ed.D. Vice President and Chief Learning Officer
Gail Coles Johnson Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer Camilla McGhee Vice President & Chief Corporate Partnership Officer Teresa Payne-Nunn Vice President and Chief Member Officer Libi Sprow Rice Vice President & Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Jennifer Vasquez Chief of Staff
2021 ELC BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Lloyd W. Brown, II, Chair Citi
Valerie I. Rainford, Secretary Elloree Talent Strategies
Edward L. Dandridge, Vice Chair Boeing
Sena Kwawu, Treasurer Frontdoor
DIRECTORS 1301 K Street NW, Suite 210 West Washington, DC 20005 (202) 655.2952 ABOUT THE ELC The Executive Leadership Council, an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation founded in 1986, is the preeminent membership organization committed to increasing the number of global Black executives in C-Suites, on corporate boards, and in global enterprises. Comprising nearly 800 current and former Black CEOs, senior executives, and board directors at Fortune 1000 and Global 500 companies, and entrepreneurs at top-tier firms, our members work to build an inclusive business leadership pipeline that empowers global Black leaders to make impactful contributions to the marketplace and the global communities they serve.
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Nancy Armand HSBC
Marc A. Howze Deere & Company
Gena Ashe Anterix, Inc.
Janice Innis-Thompson Nationwide
Kimberly A. Blackwell PMM Agency
Gale V. King Nationwide
Gerald T. Charles, Jr. Capital One
Ken B. Robinson Exelon (Retired)
Shaundra Clay Beam Suntory
Roy Weathers PwC
William P. Gipson P&G (Retired)
Jeff G. Webster ExxonMobil (Retired)
Thomas R. Harvey AT&T EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS Tonie Leatherberry Immediate Past Chair Deloitte and Touche LLP (Retired)
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Celebrating
of Inclusive Leadership
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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MEET OUR NEW CXO: PENELOPE THORNTON TALLEY
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In her role, Penelope aims to increase positive interactions between The ELC and its members.
Q4 2021 ELC MEMBERS ON THE MOVE AND IN THE MEDIA ELC Members continue to be recognized by their companies and in the media for their accomplishments.
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LC Institute Continues Commitment to Strengthen E the Talent Pipeline of Black Leaders
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arketing and Communications Continues to M Maximize New Opportunities
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The Executive Office Begins 2021 with a Tremendous Start
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uman Resources Exeutes A New Strategy in H Support of The ELC’s Strategic Vision
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Philanthropy Breaks the Mold with Another Monumental Year of Giving
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ELC Finance Makes Sound Investments to Support The ELC’s Future
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In Case You Missed It: 2021 ELC Event Recaps
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ember Services Increases Overall Member M Participation and Engagement
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ELC DEPARTMENTAL UPDATES
Th e I n st it u te for Leaders hip Deve lop me n t & Res earch A Year of Growth
IN THIS PHOTO: ELC President & CEO Mike Hyter interviews Robert F. Smith during the 2021 Black Men in Leadership Conference.
DEPARTMENT LEAD
Our Institute for Leadership Development & Research continues its longstanding commitment to strengthen the talent pipeline of Black leaders. This year, the department was empowered by a year of growth, application, and increased visibility.
Christopher C. Butts, Ed.D. Vice President and Chief Learning Officer
Growth
In 2020, the Institute pivoted from face-to-face to virtual training delivery, building a plane and flying it at the same time to meet the needs of both ELC members and fellows. This year, it built a bigger and better plane by providing more programs to more people - a 25% increase from serving 9,727 people in 2020 to 12,211 people in 2021.
Application
The Institute identified an opportunity to extend its positive impact on program participants (evidenced by high course evaluation ratings and testimonials) by supporting the ability to apply what was learned in Institute programs. This opportunity led to adding executive coaching to several programs including open-enrollment programs like C-Suite Academy, DECODED and LEVELS, and custom programs provided to Capital One and Merck.
Visibility
In response to a frequent comment from program participants, “The ELC is one of the country’s bestkept secrets,” The Institute identified a mechanism for increasing The ELC’s general visibility. For the first time, Institute program participants received digital badges from Credly to share via their LinkedIn profiles immediately upon completing an Institute program. The Credly badges made it easy for participants to share with their professional and social networks the skills and competencies they gained through participation in Institute leadership programs. In 2021, the Institute issued 759 Credly badges to program participants who accepted and shared their badges at a 59% rate. As a result, awareness of The ELC’s brand has increased and there is heightened engagement with ELC programs.
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Introducing New Programs
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“ This course has been crucial to my career. I now have the tools needed to impact others and be the leader that I know I could be. This is what was needed to get me through the barriers I created and the ones I needed to break down.”
The Institute introduced two new programs, DECODED and LEVELS, focused on Black corporate professionals in tech and music respectively. These programs targeted industries in which Black professionals have been historically excluded from senior executive positions. Numerous participants indicated their experience with DECODED or LEVELS was the first time they experienced professional development centered on the Black experience—where all the participants and facilitators were Black. They also remarked that since the content applied to the experience of Black professionals, it wasn’t just tolerated or discouraged; it was essential to the entire learning experience.
– 2021 DECODED Participant
Confronting Racism in the Workplace The ELC partnered with Verizon Media/Yahoo to pilot a series of small-cohort conversations for non-Black people leaders on how they can create a more inclusive culture for Black employees at Verizon Media/Yahoo. This program was unique in that it didn’t directly serve Black employees, but rather focused on the organizational culture in which Black employees work. Additionally, the program was delivered by ELC-sourced executive coaches rather than ELC-sourced instructor-facilitators. The pilot deliveries were so successful, Verizon Media/ Yahoo has requested The ELC facilitate an additional 14 deliveries with the possibility of more in the future.
What can you expect from The Institute in 2022? The department aims to align with The ELC’s strategic pillars of Pipeline Development and Member Engagement to develop, design, and deliver best-in-class leadership development programs with ELC Member speakers at conferences like: the Power of Women at Work (virtual), Black Men in Leadership (virtual), C-Suite Academy (hybrid), DECODED (virtual), Leadership Development Weeks (virtual, East in-person, and West inperson), and Mid-Level Managers’ Symposium (virtual and in-person). Creating dynamic board development programs is also a top priority for The Institute. Aligned with the Member Engagement strategic pillar, the department plans to cover general board education, board readiness and onboarding, as well as board leadership and governance. Strengthening the strategic pillar of Thought Leadership, Corporate Best Practices and Research, the Institute will conduct its own research on topics impacting Black corporate professionals, and also with strategic research partners. It will increase participation in conferences from speakers and thought leaders. T H E
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ELC DEPARTMENTAL UPDATES IN THIS PHOTO: ELC President & CEO Mike Hyter with ELC Member David Rawlinson II, President and CEO of Qurate Retail, Inc.
Exec u t i ve O f fice A Fresh Start
DEPARTMENT LEAD
With the announcement of our new President and CEO, Michael C. Hyter, and with the appointment of a new Board Chair, Lloyd W. Brown, II, the Executive Office began the year with a tremendous start. During the 2021 Winter Member Meeting, Hyter addressed ELC members for the first time, sharing his plans to “Listen, Assess, and Act” during his first 100 days. Beginning in March, he outlined his approach toward the development of a new strategic framework:
Michael C. Hyter President & CEO
Listen
Due to his high regard for listening as a demonstration of respect for others, Hyter felt it was important to begin his 100 days with a listening tour for members to gather the information he needed to better engage, work with, and represent them. Throughout the spring, Hyter met virtually with members, committee chairs and ELC staff to collect intelligence from inside the organization. He also listened to member company CEOs, potential member companies and The ELC’s external partners to learn their perceptions of The ELC and how we can become stronger allies. Lastly, he listened to members of our community to learn more about how we can uniquely leverage The ELC mission to be better champions for our people.
Assess and Act
Hyter processed the information gained throughout his listening tour of nine Member Town Hall sessions and delivered an action plan at the Summer Member Meeting. The series of conversations solicited feedback on member engagement and satisfaction, and allowed members to voice their concerns. With the new strategic framework reviewed and approved by the Board, Hyter’s focus is on operational excellence and sustainability of the organization. Hyter pledged to evaluate the value of our existing member programs and offerings, as perceived by members and corporations. He will also assess The ELC’s current technology capabilities to understand what is needed to meet the reality of our increased size and scope as an organization. Hyter expressed his commitment to fostering increased connectivity among ELC members and his belief that 21st century technology is instrumental in achieving that goal.
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The Executive Office created three new leadership positions. The Board of Directors approved the appointment of Penelope Thornton Talley, Chief Experience Officer; Hannibal Brumskine II, Chief Financial Officer; and Gail Coles Johnson, Chief Human Resources Officer to The ELC family.
Investment Portfolio Hyter and Brumskine developed an Authorization and Approval matrix for review and approval and partnered with the Investment Committee to develop recommended asset allocations for The ELC portfolio. The Investment Committee completed an RFP and bid process for an Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) and recommended The Rock Creek Group, which was presented and approved by The ELC Board of Directors. The Rock Creek Group is now fully engaged and managing the portfolio.
What can you expect from The Executive Office in 2 0 2 2 ? With our Institute, Philanthropy, and Finance teams fully staffed, the Executive Office is looking forward to hiring a Director of IT to oversee technology needs and to lead the process of upgrading our member technology systems, including our CRM. The Office looks forward to welcoming Lori Walker, our new Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in January.
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MEET THE 2021
ELCSCHOLARS
ELC DEPARTMENTAL UPDATES
IN THIS PHOTO: The 2021 ELC Scholarship Recipients
P hila nt h ropy Expanding Emphasis on Community
DEPARTMENT LEAD LaTese Briggs
Vice President & Charged with helping to fill the pipeline of Black corporate Chief Philanthropy Officer executives from the classroom to the boardroom, our Philanthropy team has worked tirelessly this year to increase opportunities for these young women and men to succeed with the support of ELC funding. Our scholarship program is part of our broader strategic framework, which includes expanding emphasis on community and making larger investments in new philanthropic programmatic pillars. Even amidst the ongoing pandemic, Philanthropy broke the mold with another monumental year of giving. BY THE NUMBERS
ELC SCHOLARS
ELC Scholars This year’s ELC Scholars included 117 undergraduate students from 48 educational institutions from around the United States. The ELC contributed $1.3 million toward scholarship awards and was thrilled to have the support of 15 corporate scholarship partners to make this possible. Our 2021 corporate scholarship partners included Brunswick, Bristol Myers Squibb, Chevron, ExxonMobil, HPE, HSBC, Johnson & Johnson, Linde, Lowe’s, Moody’s, Nationwide, Raytheon, Phillips66, The Coca-Cola Foundation, and USAA. The ELC was proud to partner with guest speakers from the following companies to deliver quality programming and add meaningful career tips to the Scholars’ life toolkits: The Steve Fund, City Fund, TB Global Impact Strategies, Geaux Network-TV, CoolBrands People/Signitt, Black Digital, Lowe’s, and Synchrony.
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2021 SCHOLARS 117 SCHOLARS
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43 SOPHOMORES 57 JUNIORS
112 OUT OF 117
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MAJORING IN STEM
OR BUSINESS FIELDS.
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44 OUT OF 117
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ATTEND A PREDOMINANTLY
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73 OF THE 117
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When asked, “What made the Virtual Honors Symposium personally impactful for you?” one Honors Symposium attendee said: “All of the Honors Symposium sessions led me to a level of personal reflection. This reflection occurred whether thinking about my personal brand, career goals, and my skills among other things. Sometimes among the business of life it can be difficult to find these periods to reflect, so I found these moments valuable.” When asked, “What made the Virtual Honors Symposium professionally impactful for you?” another Honors Symposium attendee said: “The Honors Symposium helped enhance my resume, interview and personal branding skills so that I stand out from other potential candidates and resonate with recruiters.” Business Case Competition
More than 100 ELC scholars participated in the 2021 ExxonMobil National Business Case Competition in groups of 4-5 for cash prizes ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 per team. This was the first year the competition was open to undergraduate students. The competition provided an opportunity for ELC scholars to explore the workforce diversity gap in the United States, specifically the underrepresentation of Black students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) majors. Winning teams presented their strategies for helping American corporations build and sustain a diverse pool of STEM talent during a virtual competition on September 23rd which featured an audience of ExxonMobil executives and ELC members.
2021 Honors Symposium Workshops
The ELC hosted its second virtual Honors Symposium for 117 Scholars attending 48 of the top universities and colleges around the nation. The Symposium featured sessions on topics such as mental health, design thinking, self-branding, career readiness, financial management and thriving in corporate environments.
Black Male Initiative In an effort to further our commitment to the community and deepen our work in higher education initiatives, this year The ELC expanded and refined the Black Male Initiative. Supporting 419 young men across the campuses of Howard University, Delaware State University, and North Carolina A&T State University, this program provides academic and social wraparound support to improve GPAs and matriculation rates among Black men in college. These young men now have greater access to academic tutoring, professional and peer mentoring, mental health support, internships, and other additive social services to help them navigate day-to-day challenges and/or family and personal hardships. The ELC acknowledges the unique set of challenges that Black college students faced in the past two years and continue to face due to the COVID-19 pandemic, exacerbated by racial inequality and police brutality. To help students cope with the trauma and ensure appropriate mental health resources are available at each of the three BMI campuses, The ELC also commissioned the Steve Fund. The Steve Fund was founded by ELC member, Stephanie Bell-Rose, after losing her son to mental illness, and serves as the nation’s leading organization focused on supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color. The Steve Fund is currently conducting a full needs assessment for the Black Male Initiative program at all three universities. T H E
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Base 11 Partnership In October, The ELC announced a new partnership with Base 11, a STEM workforce and entrepreneur development company that empowers women and other underrepresented groups with the access, awareness, and belief needed to succeed in Next Frontier Industries of the 21st century. The partnership consists of a $100,000 donation to support the Base 11 Boulé Fellows program and Parity Project Innovation Challenge, as well as an agreement to host the winners of Base 11’s Parity Project Innovation Challenge in 2022 at ELC headquarters in Washington, DC. In addition to ELC President and CEO Mike Hyter, three ELC members – Danielle Brown, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Whirlpool Corporation’s Global Information Systems; Krista Satterthwaite, Vice President and General Manager at Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s Mainstream Compute; and Jacqueline Wright, CVP, Chief Digital Officer at Microsoft Corporation – participated in Base 11’s Next Frontier Conference and Expo to discuss gender parity in the workplace and their experiences as female leaders navigating both the opportunities and challenges common in corporate America. Together, The ELC and Base 11 will work toward the goal of achieving a minimum of 13.4% Black representation — on par with the proportion of the Americans who identify as Black — in all STEM jobs, STEM degrees, public company boards of directors, and venture capital-funded entrepreneurs in the U.S. by 2030.
“Build, Grow, Protect!” One of the most significant highlights of the year for Philanthropy and The ELC at-large was the launch of “Build, Grow, Protect!” Inspired by the events surrounding Juneteenth and Black Wall Street, The ELC’s “Build, Grow, Protect!” initiative is strategically designed to strengthen, diversify, and expand the organization’s commitment to propelling upward mobility in the Black community by building capacity in nonprofits, creating measurable programs that will grow wealth, and investing in programs that protect the civil rights, history, and culture of Black people in America. The initiative kicked off through a strategic partnership with Goalsetter, a Black and female-owned fintech platform founded by former corporate executive Tanya Van Court, that embodies The ELC’s vision, goals, and mission of eradicating the racial wealth gap in America through education, entrepreneurship, and empowerment. During the fall, Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, announced a call to action for organizations and corporations to create the next generation of financially free Black and Latinx Americans. This initiative will be powered through Goalsetter’s family investment platform designed to get every kid in America investing and on the path towards financial freedom. Smith also called upon The ELC to help cultivate corporations to participate in the initiative.
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In collaboration with Goalsetter, The ELC is challenging both our members and our members’ corporations to donate shares in support of the movement. The ELC is directly contributing $100,000 to the One Stock. One Future. initiative to sponsor kids with both stock and Goalsetter accounts, which will include 52 weeks of financial education each year for five years.
What can you expect from Philanthropy in 2022? The Philanthropy department is excited to seek recipients for 16 undergraduate scholarships and 2 graduate scholarships in 2022 with new scholarship sponsors: Bank of America, Otsuka, and Synchrony. Additionally, you can look forward to seeing a new ELC Signature Scholarship entitled, “Protecting Black Voices.” The department will also host a year-round Honors Symposium with programming open to ELC Scholars alumni beginning in the spring and will feature the annual ExxonMobil National Business Case Competition for the 2022 cohort of ELC Scholars.
Vi ew Th e 2 022 ELC S cholarship O p portunities THE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
2022 ELC Scholarship Program
PLACEHOLDER
From the Classroom to the Boardroom
elcscholars.com
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ELC DEPARTMENTAL UPDATES IN THIS PHOTO: ELC CXO Penelope Thornton Talley with guests at the Member Regional event in Chicago, IL.
Me mb er Se r v ice s Increasing Member Participation and Engagement
DEPARTMENT LEADS
Fostering valuable, informative, meaningful, and enjoyable member experiences is essential to the work of our Member Services team. Faced with another year of virtual programming, the Member Services department exceeded expectations with increased participation and engagement numbers that rivaled recent years. Packing the calendar with our annual marquee conferences and new opportunities for members to stay connected, the year was filled with several notable mentions.
Penelope Thornton Talley Senior Vice President and Chief Experience Officer
Teresa Payne-Nunn Vice President and Chief Member Officer
The Membership Experience The Membership Committee completed its intake and selection process for the Class of 2022, after pausing last year due to the pandemic. The Membership Committee received more than 150 nominations and after a rigorous review process, finalized a slate of recommended candidates for the Board to review and approve.
CEO GameChanger Conference® Member Services hosted the 2021 CEO GameChanger Conference®, with the theme “Beyond Promises to Progress,” designed to be the catalyst for equipping CEOs and their organizations with innovative strategies to advance the representation of Black leaders at the senior executive and board levels. The annual event was a transformational effort to engage CEOs in a dialogue about making measurable progress in advancing Black leaders. Gena Ashe, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at Anterix, ELC Board Director, and recently appointed Board Director at GXO, moderated the Conference which brought together more than 100 Fortune 1000 CEOs to discuss disruptive strategies and measurable actions that advance racial equity in business. Equity consultant and C-Suite Advisor, Tara Jaye Frank, provided enlightening context on what Black talent needs from leaders and reviewed compelling data from an ELC GameChanger Experience survey which highlighted implications for Black growth and contribution and actionable insights for change. The Conference featured Isabel Wilkerson, author of the New York Times bestselling book, Caste, as well as prominent CEOs, including Marvin Ellison, Chairman, President, and CEO of Lowe’s; David Rawlinson, CEO
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of Qurate Retail Group; Brian Moynihan, Chairman and CEO of Bank of America; Judy Marks, President and CEO of Otis Retail Group; and Julie Sweet, CEO of Accenture. Join us next year at The Marriott Marquis Hotel in Washington, D.C. on October 6, 2022.
Women’s Leadership Forum Nearly 100 women ELC members gathered virtually for the 2021 Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF) on July 21st. Created exclusively for ELC women, by ELC women, the redesigned Forum was rated by members as one of the organization’s best in the program’s 18-year history. With the fitting theme, EmpowHER Brilliance, the Forum featured Black women who have turned obstacles into opportunities, weathered storms, and blazed new trails – all while keeping their eyes on the prize. The “Transition, Transformation and Triumph” panel was moderated by Angela E. Guy and spotlighted Kim Newton, Kim Nelson, and Cindy Kent. The ELC was honored to facilitate a fireside chat with one of two Black women appointed to F500 CEO positions this year, ELC member Thasunda Brown Duckett, President and CEO, TIAA, in conversation with Carla A. Harris, Vice Chairman, Managing Director, and Senior Client Advisor, Morgan Stanley. Duckett shared an incredibly transparent and introspective look into her career journey as being only one of the few Black women leaders who have become a CEO of a F500 company. We also featured Westina Matthews, Ph.D., founder of WLF, in a session moderated by Susan E. Chapman-Hughes. Cynthia “Cynt” Marshall, CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, headlined a fireside chat moderated by Gina F. Adams. In a closing session moderated by Lakecia N. Gunter, Caroline A. Wanga, CEO of Essence Communications, Inc., was highlighted. The entire program was masterfully moderated by Gail Peterson. The 19th annual Women’s Leadership Forum will be held in-person at The InterContinental Hotel on July 20-21, 2022 in Washington, D.C.
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End-of-Year Regional Events In December, ELC members in Philadelphia and Chicago took the lead in planning and hosting two ELC member regional events.
Philadelphia, PA
Our members from the PA, DE, NJ region gathered December 7th for a special event hosted in partnership with Comcast, Duane Morris LLP, and Independence Health Group. Mike Hyter welcomed attendees and answered questions from the group. Guests included ELC members from the area as well as several other notables from in and around the community. Special thanks to Dalila Wilson-Scott from Comcast, Greg Deavens from Independence Health Group, and John Nixon from Duane Morris LLP for cultivating a wonderful evening of fellowship and fun.
Chicago, IL
In partnership with Deere & Company, Heidrick & Struggles and Walgreens Boots Alliance, ELC “Chicagoland” members hosted an evening with CEOs featuring a fireside chat with John C. May, Chairman and CEO of Deere & Company, and Rosalind Brewer, CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance on December 13th. The discussion was moderated by Billy Dexter, Partner, Heidrick & Struggles and also featured remarks from Jim Lowry, Senior Advisor, Boston Consulting Group, and The ELC’s own CEO, Mike Hyter.
What can you expect from Member Services in 2022? You can expect enhanced engagement, connection and communication! An essential part of the value of ELC membership lies in the trusted network of our powerful community. Some items on the horizon for 2022 include: • An in-person Summer Meeting in Denver, Colorado (presuming it is safe to gather in person); • An increase in convenings in regions across the country; • An improved member app with up-to-date contact information; and • The welcome of 55 new members to the organization as the incoming ELC Class of 2022. If the contact information for you and/or your company has changed, please send those updates to the Member Services email address at memberservices@elcinfo.com.
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Vi ew Th e 2 021 ELC Recognition G ala Program Book
2021 RECOGNITION GALA & 35 A N N I V E R S A R Y C E L E B R AT I O N OCTOBER 14, 2021 TH
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ELC DEPARTMENTAL UPDATES
Ma r ke t i n g , Communications an d Ad vocacy Magnifying Our Brand, Elevating Our Voice
IN THIS PHOTO: ELC Member Bonita C. Stewart, Board Partner, Gradient Ventures, served as a panelist during the Black Enterprise Town Hall Series. DEPARTMENT LEAD Libi Sprow Rice
Vice President & This year, the Marketing and Communications department Chief Marketing and effectively promoted The ELC’s 35th anniversary through the Communications Officer media and strategic partnerships while maximizing every opportunity to share the future-focused direction of the organization. The momentum behind The ELC’s new leadership provided fresh opportunities for brand marketing, innovative methods to increase online engagement, and opportunities to deepen new and existing relationships with strategic partners. Defining the narrative of our collective work, the department has several key initiatives to highlight for 2021.
CEO LinkedIn Chats To increase Mike Hyter’s brand awareness and develop a more meaningful presence on LinkedIn, the social media platform with The ELC’s highest and most consistent engagement numbers, the team created an opportunity for ELC members and supporters alike to get to know Mike and get a better feel for the work we do alongside strategic partners and allies who share our values. Each month, Mike moderates critical conversations with leading experts and thought leaders that bring awareness to key issues while simultaneously raising our online visibility. These discussions included: • May: ELC Business Brief, “Supporting the Asian American Pacific Islander Community,” featured John Wang, Founder & President, Asian American Business Development Center and Linda Akutagawa, President and CEO, Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP); • June: ELC Business Brief, “Black Executive Leadership in the LGBTQ Community,” featured Brickson Diamond, CEO, Big Answers LLC and Colleen Taylor, President, Merchant Services - US at American Express; • July: ELC Business Brief, “Strengthening the Pipeline of Black Corporate Executives,” featured Dr. Christopher Butts, Vice President and Chief Learning Officer at The Executive Leadership Council;
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• August: ELC Business Brief, “Black Women’s Equal Pay Day,” featured Erika Irish Brown, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer and Global Head of Talent at Citi; • September: ELC Business Brief, “The Boule, The ELC, and The Links, Inc. Joint CBCF Fellows Contribution,” featured Dwayne M. Murray, Grand Sire Archon of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (The Boulé) and Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Ph.D., 17th National President of The Links, Incorporated; • October: ELC Business Brief, “Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” featured Paula Schneider, President and CEO, Susan G. Komen Foundation; • November: ELC Business Brief, “A Focus on Mental Health,” featured Dr. Janet Taylor, Psychiatrist and Author of The Courageous Classroom; and • December: ELC Business Brief, “The Rebirth of A Brand,” featured Michele Thornton Ghee, CEO of Ebony & Jet
Black Enterprise Town Hall Series Another highlight of the year was partnering with Black Enterprise as lead sponsor of a series of monthly Town Hall sessions, including discussions focused on voting rights and racial and social justice issues. This was part of the department’s ongoing work to tangentially strengthen The ELC’s relationships with Black-owned media resulting in enhanced media coverage and partnership opportunities for greater brand exposure. The series garnered national media attention for The ELC: • As of October 12, 2021, the date of the Town Hall on Education, the series totaled nearly 170M impressions on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn). Additionally, the landing page TownHall.BlackEnterprise.com registered more than 16,000 impressions of which more than 6,100 were unique impressions.
Forbes Special Section In commemoration of The ELC’s 35th anniversary, the Marketing and Communications team worked with Forbes magazine to produce its largest ELC Forbes Special Advertising Section, published in the November 2021 edition of the magazine. The section, “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Top: ELC @ 35 – Sustaining Our Impact, Investing In Our Future,” appeared in “The Forbes 400” issue which features the wealthiest 400 American citizens who own assets in the U.S., ranked by net worth. The Section also gave The ELC’s senior leadership team an opportunity to highlight the organization’s vision for the future of Black business leadership and big picture priorities and goals for the organization. It provided an opportunity for the organization to leverage its voice on issues that matter to ELC members and strategic partners, while reaching more than six million of Forbes’ influential readers.
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What can you expect from Marketing and Communications in 2022? The Marketing and Communications 2022 goals include:
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Be sure to follow The ELC on all social media platforms for all ELC updates and announcements.
• Creating a Black Media Strategy to enhance The ELC brand and advance its philanthropic support of Black-owned media.
linkedin LINKEDIN
• Implementing an advocacy strategy aligned with The ELC’s updated Strategic Framework.
facebook-square FACEBOOK
• Conducting a comprehensive market research analysis to identify key communications and marketing audience drivers and identify how best to reach and engage them. • Implementing changes to The ELC website, increasing engagement on more social media platforms, launching Wikipedia pages for the CEO and the organization, and establishing new media partnerships.
Instagram INSTAGRAM Twitter TWITTER
YOUTUBE YOUTUBE
ELC Advocacy Update The ELC made great strides in elevating its profile on the Hill, with The White House and with influencers inside the Beltway. Aligning with the pillars and direction of The ELC’s Strategic Framework, the Marketing and Communications team updated its government affairsbased advocacy strategy.
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Advocating for Corporate and Boardroom Diversity
This year, as part of The ELC effort to raise awareness around the issue of Corporate and Boardroom Diversity, The ELC and our Alliance for Boardroom Diversity (ABD) partners, a coalition of affinity groups working to achieve more diverse boardrooms across corporate America, released our biannual “Missing Pieces Report” with Deloitte. The report tells the story of corporate board diversity across the lines of race, ethnicity, and gender. One of the highlights of the partnership was Mike Hyter representing The ELC alongside other members of The ABD and Deloitte at the NYSE closing bell. We will continue to share the findings of our report to broader audiences while raising awareness of ongoing issues of boardroom diversity.
Voting Rights
of top executives at the 50 largest companies are Black – yet according to the 2020 Census, 14% of the United States population identifies as Black. The way we see it, 14% should be the baseline for representation.
Today, voting is harder for many communities than it has been since the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed. We are critically aware that our electoral process is vulnerable, and we are focused and fully committed to supporting its protection. Only through the sacred act of voting have most of us been able to succeed in our corporate careers and we firmly deem it critical to ensure that future generations have access to the same opportunities.
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Throughout the year, The ELC met with leaders on voting rights legislation in both the House and Senate and supported the right to cast a ballot and have it counted. The ELC was tapped by The White House Office of Public Engagement to field media interviews on voting rights issues. Our organization supported the Congressional Black Caucus on its 50th anniversary and is working directly with Chair Rep. Joyce Beatty on an event to highlight Black corporate leadership with key congressional audiences. The Marketing and Communications team has made The ELC’s support known through messaging on social media and through coalition building. The goal is to equip every ELC member with the information needed to speak directly to the Voting Rights issue – on local, state, and federal levels – in their respective corporations or community service organizations. The ELC wants its Black leaders to have the information needed to act as brand ambassadors for effective democracy beginning with ensuring every American has adequate access to the ballot box.
HBCU Advocacy
For almost 200 years, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have existed to educate Black students in America. These institutions, many of them listed in the National Register of Historic Places, have been vital to the American story. From the beginning, HBCUs have educated and trained some of America’s most brilliant scholars and professionals. However, notwithstanding this rich history, HBCUs have been historically underfunded and most have operated for many years with deficient budgets and substandard facilities. Recent historic investments in HBCUs from the CARES Act, the American Rescue Plan and the proposed funding from the Build Back Better Plan have been helpful; but unfortunately, those investments are not nearly enough to repair almost 200 years of inequity – which is why The ELC is actively supporting the passage of the HBCU “Ignite for Excellence Act”. The bill would provide federal grants to HBCUs and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to allow for structural improvements that are long overdue. The ELC will issue a letter to Congress and employ other strategic communications to express our strong support for the markup and passage of this bill during the 117th Congress. HBCUs make a tremendous impact, both economically and educationally. And if the organization wants to continue cultivating diverse talent and inclusive leadership it is imperative that the nation prioritizes investing in these institutions.
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Press/Media The Skanner: Walgreens Appoints First Black Woman as Chief Executive Officer By The Skanner News - January 29, 2021 Fortune: To get serious about diversity, make it as fundamental as quarterly financial filings By Lucinda Shen - January 22, 2021 CNN Business: “The Fortune 500 now has two Black women CEOs. That’s actually an improvement” By Chauncey Alcorn - May 1, 2021 Markets Insider: “ELC Partners with NACD to Elevate Board Diversity” By PR Newswire - May 19, 2021 CNBC: “CNBC Evolve Livestream – Sustainable Future with Executive Leadership Council’s Michael Hyter” By Leslie Picker - May 19, 2021 CNN Business: “George Floyd’s death was a wake-up call for Corporate America. Here’s what has – and hasn’t – changed” By Chauncey Alcorn - May 25, 2021 Black Enterprise: “Black Enterprise and The Executive Leadership Council Present Town Hall Series on Economic Equity Around Anniversary of George Floyd Death” By Andrea Blackstone -May 27, 2021 CNN Business: “Amazon, Microsoft, and Zillow are backing an initiative to increase Black representation on corporate boards” By Chauncey Alcorn - June 4, 2021 Black Enterprise: “Ben Crump, CNN’s Bakari Sellers Among Speakers to Kick Off Black Enterprise Economic Equity & Racial Justice Town Hall Series” By Derek Major - June 8, 2021 VIDEO: “The New York Stock Exchange Welcomes Alliance for Board Diversity & Deloitte!” By LEAP/NYSE - June 8, 2021 BlackFilm.com: “Fox Soul & Black Enterprise Launch Content Partnership For Original Programming” By Alex McGaughey - June 10, 2021 The Grio: “ELC selects fintech platform Goalsetter to help close racial wealth gap in US” By Sytonia Reid - June 16, 2021 The Washington Informer: “Leadership Org Lays Out $6M Strategy to Expand Black Wealth” By Washington Informer Web Staff - June 16, 2021 CNBC: “‘What was robbed must be repaired’: 5 Black business leaders talk reparations and corporate America’s role in closing the wealth gap” By Courtney Connley - June 19, 2021 Black Enterprise: “Top Executives To Reset Agenda For Black Advancement In Corporate America at BE Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Summit” By Chris Atwell - June 19, 2021
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CNBC FEATURE: ‘What was robbed must be repaired’: 5 Black business leaders talk reparations and corporate America’s role in closing the wealth gap
Photo credit: Getty and subjects; Photo Illustration: Elham Ataeiazar for CNBC Make It Black Enterprise: “The Executive Leadership Council Announces “Build, Grow, Protect!” a $6M Philanthropic Investment in Sustainable Strategies To Address The Racial Wealth Gap” By Black Enterprise Editors - June 21, 2021 Yahoo! Finance: “The Executive Leadership Council Announces “Build, Grow, Protect!” a $6M Philanthropic Investment in Sustainable Strategies To Address The Racial Wealth Gap” By Yahoo! Finance - June 21, 2021 Black Enterprise: The Executive Leadership Council Appoints Gail Coles Johnson Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer By Black Enterprise Editors - September 15, 2021 CEO Update: “New on board: Hyter aims to boost ELC’s reach, impact of Black executives” By Kathryn Walson - September 10, 2021 Black Enterprise: “Two Top Black Women Execs To Be Honored By The Executive Leadership Council During 35th Anniversary Celebration” By Jeffrey McKinney - October 14, 2021 Black Enterprise: “The Executive Leadership Council and Base 11 Unite to Attain Parity For Black Americans in STEM, Corporate Directorships” By Jeffrey McKinney - November 12, 2021 Yahoo! Finance: “Black Men Xcel Summit Virtual Experience to Celebrate Black Male Excellence and Leadership, Featuring Attorney Ben Crump, Chance The Rapper, and Charlamagne Tha God, Nov. 17-18” November 16, 2021 T H E
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ELC DEPARTMENTAL UPDATES
H uma n Re sou rce s Building and Empowering A Stellar Staff
DEPARTMENT LEAD Gail Coles Johnson
Vice President & The newly formed Human Resources (HR) department is wellChief Human Resources equipped to support the hardworking ELC staff. Tasked with Officer executing a sound HR strategy in support of The ELC’s business plan and overall strategic direction, the department is focused on several projects including the Position and Salary Analysis project, with support from our HR consultant NonProfit HR. HR is leading HR activities such as open enrollment, performance reviews, and addressing staff morale and office culture.
The department is pleased to have made incredible progress in recruiting and hiring new staff, growing from 20 full-time employees in March to now 32 full-time employees. As staff comes onboard, we are continuing to evaluate the need for additional resources. The HR team has created an HR strategy to reduce the number of vacancies by hiring critical positions. The department collaborated on the creation of ELC values, created new PTO policies in compliance with those declared in Washington, D.C., and revamped and enhanced the new employee orientation process so that new staff members have a better sense of The ELC and how their roles support the organization as a whole. Today, HR is creating a framework for a Return to Office Strategy that not only considers the impact of COVID-19, but also considers existing and incoming variants of the virus.
What are Human Resources goals and priorities for 2022? For 2022, HR plans to continue focusing on several areas including succession planning, talent management, change management, organizational and performance management, training and development, and compensation. The HR three main priorities include: 1. Completing position and salary analyses; 2. Building capacity in the staff by creating processes and tools for the full life cycle of the employee experience; and 3. Integrating The ELC’s vision, strategy and outcomes with individual employee performance.
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ELC DEPARTMENTAL UPDATES
F i n a nce Investing in Tomorrow
DEPARTMENT LEAD Hannibal L. Brumskine II Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
This year has been particularly significant for the Finance Department. Although the department was short-staffed for the majority of 2021, the Finance team was able to meet the demands of the organization through diligence and a dedication to The ELC’s mission. The department has completed the annual audit process and tax filings.
The Finance team also worked closely with senior executives to prepare The ELC’s financial statements, budgets and forecasts and communicated their progress throughout the year. Additionally, the Finance Team provided information to assist senior executives in making key strategic decisions regarding the ongoing operations of The ELC. This year’s Finance highlights include: • Completing a successful audit; • Filing timely tax returns; • Supporting programmatic events by issuing invoices, filling out vendor payment forms and recording payments once received; • Supporting philanthropic efforts by issuing payments to scholarship winners as well as other miscellaneous donations; • Ensuring that all ELC vendors and consultants were paid timely; and • Processing payroll.
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The E LC ’s I n te r n ational Pres e n ce Since 2014, The ELC’s strategic priorities have included expanding our membership and presence in the UK in support of our mission to increase the number of Black executives in C-Suites and on boards of global corporations. Our Member Services department manages the International Presence (IP) initiative, with ELC members Arlene Isaacs-Lowe and Andrew Pearce as IP Committee Co-Chairs. The committee comprises some of the most influential Black corporate leaders in the UK, who have extensive reach into the business, philanthropic and political arenas. These leaders have demonstrated their desire and ability to leverage their influence to advance and uplift Black talent at all levels. For the third consecutive year, the committee hosted its signature “Inside Track” program that brings together prominent media and political figures with business leaders to discuss the intersectionality between ethnicity, economics, and sustainability. The ELC partners with several notable UK organizations that are aligned with our mission and purpose to enhance our brand and advance our agenda.
UK Pipeline Development: The Black British Business Awards and Amos Bursary
The ELC has expanded its talent development outreach through its partnership with The Black British Business Awards (BBBA) and its Talent Accelerator Program, an organization led by ELC member Sophie Chandauka. Earlier this year, The ELC was a key partner and sponsor of The Network of Network’s (TNON) The Power of Targeted Leadership Development Programs Seminar. TNON, alongside Delta Psi Alpha and the Black British Business Awards, presented the Cross-Company Talent Accelerator. During the seminar, participants learned how companies can achieve the goal of accelerating the progression of ethnic minority professionals from ‘the middle’ to the top of their organizations with the Accelerator. The evidence-based Accelerator involves a world-class multicultural faculty, includes perspectives from other organizations and sectors, and ignites active participation of the following key stakeholders in the workplace: Executive Sponsors, Line Managers, HR and Diversity and Inclusion Experts, Learning and Development Advisers and Network Leaders. We continued our UK philanthropy by once again funding the Amos Bursary, an organization devoted to advancing the professional development of young men of African and Caribbean descent in the UK. Our work with the Amos Bursary assists in strengthening the UK talent pipeline of future Black leaders.
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The Powerlist Awards
In September, ELC Members, Jacky Wright, Corporate Vice President and Chief Digital Officer at Microsoft US, and Pamela Hutchinson, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Bloomberg LP, were named to the distinguished 2022 Powerlist, a list that recognizes the most influential business leaders of African and Caribbean heritage in the UK today. The list is cultivated by our partner organization, Powerful Media Ltd., who also hosts an annual gala featuring the “who’s who” in Black Excellence.
Black Britain and Beyond
To mark the opening day of its second annual symposium, Black Britain and Beyond released “Inequality Risk: The Black British Wealth Creation Report,” which The ELC was proud to sponsor. The report provides organizations across sectors with actionable recommendations, with the aim of ensuring the success of future generations of Black Britons without being hindered by racial disparities. At the symposium, IP Committee members, Keith Levy and Jacky Wright, moderated a lively panel discussion on the report. A think tank and social platform, Black Britain and Beyond brings together Black Britons and allies to explore and engage in the significance of their cultures, economies, heritages, and identities. The platform is also a hub to advance, devise and facilitate its future development and progress towards empowering future generations.
Celebrating 35 Years of Impact
To learn more about Black Britain and Beyond and their research, read the full report here.
A Look Ahead The believes inclusive leadership In 2022, The Executive ELC will focusLeadership its internationalCouncil efforts on (ELC) co-collaboration of US and UK membership and the expansion of hybridthat digital and in-personsucceed. programingOur to encourage shared learnings. ELChighestmembers can ensures businesses members include the look forward to a continued partnership with our current partners and identifying new partnerships ranking Black executives in Fortune 1000 and global equivalent to advance these important initiatives fellow Blackthe leaders across the companies. Our focusfor isour increasing number of pond. Black executives in C-Suites, corporate boardrooms, and global enterprises.
Congratulations to The ELC Members on the 2022 Powerlist!
#1 ON THE 2022 POWERLIST
Jacky Wright
Corporate Vice President and Chief Digital Officer Microsoft US
Pamela Hutchinson Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion Bloomberg LP
Special thanks to The ELC’s International Presence Committee co-chairs, Andrew Pearce, Managing Director, Accenture and Arlene Isaacs-Lowe, Special Advisor, Moody’s Corporation.
To learn more about The ELC, visit elcinfo.com. T H E
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Me e t Penelo p e Thor nton Talley Revitalizing the ELC Member Experience: An Introduction to Our New CXO Penelope Thornton Talley, The ELC’s Senior Vice President and Chief Experience Officer (CXO), is on a mission to enhance the preeminence of the membership organization committed to increasing the number of global Black executives. In her role, Penelope aims to increase positive interactions between The ELC and its members. As CXO, she will leverage best practices and facilitate cross-functional collaboration to elevate the member experience with the ultimate goals of improved member satisfaction, growth, and retention.
Since 1986, The ELC has grown exponentially in its membership, impact, and influence. Now with nearly 800 members and engaging thousands of constituents each year through dozens of meetings, programs and events, the growing complexity of The ELC’s operations, events, and audiences necessitated a new CXO post to advance the pursuit of Black Excellence. Penelope was introduced to The ELC when her former boss and mentor at AARP, Robert R. Hagans Jr., was inducted and invited her to attend the Gala and the Mid-Level Managers’ Symposium (MLMS). The networking experience was transformative and led to her participation in the NextGen Network, now Calibr, and the Institute’s Strengthening the Pipeline Leadership Development program. She immediately understood The ELC’s value, as she appreciated the relationships cultivated with colleagues around the country and the unique role The ELC played in facilitating those trusted connections. She continued regular interactions with The ELC, including attending the Women’s Leadership Forum and serving as a speaker and panelist for MLMS until she transitioned into public service. “I am honored to have been given this charge by Mike Hyter, and initially I will observe, learn and listen,” says Penelope. “Through my exposure to The ELC over the years, I have the utmost respect and admiration for this organization and our members. I am eager to promote the member experience to the highest levels of excellence in each and every encounter.” “Mike has outlined the vision for The ELC’s new strategic framework and solidifying the member proposition,” she added. “The ELC that I was
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introduced to has experienced incredible growth in recent years and is not monolithic. There is a tremendous opportunity to leverage The ELC’s brand and build community to achieve greater satisfaction and impact.” A native of South Boston, Virginia, Penelope most recently served as the first Chief Operating Officer of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for the District of Columbia. Prior to OAG, she served as Chief Performance Officer with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) where she oversaw the agency’s nearly $1 billion federal and state grant programs, successfully orchestrated the turnaround of a high profile $250M Race to the Top grant and significantly improved customer service. Her turnaround work at MSDE was recognized by the premiere consulting firm, Alvarez & Marsal, to be replicated at the national level. More information about Penelope’s background is available on The ELC website. She holds The ELC and its members in the highest regard and is working with her colleagues and leadership to deliver the excellent experience deserved and expected as the organization transitions from virtual to hybrid and in-person engagements in the coming months. Part of her learning quest comes from direct engagement with ELC members, so please feel free to connect with her to share your thoughts and experiences.
CONTACT PENELOPE Phone: (202) 834.3363 Email: pttalley@elcinfo.com F A L L
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ELC EVENT RECAPS
In C a s e You Missed It. . .
IN THIS PHOTO: 2021 ELC Global Game Changer Award Honoree Colin Kaepernick
Black Enterprise Economic Equity & Racial Justice Town Hall Series The ELC served as the lead sponsor of Black Enterprise’s inaugural Town Hall series consisting of seven virtual roundtable sessions featuring top corporate executives, entrepreneurs, civil rights activists and social thought leaders. The series addresses topics such as criminal justice reform, voter suppression, and inequities in homeownership and wealth building through a Black business lens. The Town Hall series provides The ELC a national platform to discuss socio-economic and racial injustice issues and potential solutions to these issues that continue to plague the Black community. Five of the Town Hall sessions are highlighted below. • One Year After George Floyd: Has Corporate America Made Good On Its Economic Equity Pledges?: This session, featuring Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump, Black Executive CMO Alliance Founder Jerri DeVard, and Black Enterprise President and CEO Earl Graves Jr., focused on measures for Black advancement based on the series of corporate pledges to deal with past racial inequities. ELC President and CEO Mike Hyter provided the closing remarks. • Voter Suppression: How Black Business Leadership Will Preserve & Protect Our Franchise: This session focused on what corporations must do to demonstrate clear and continuing allyship with those fighting for the voting rights of Black people, consistent with their public pledges in support of economic equity and racial justice. • Homeownership and Wealth Building: Creating Pathways To Lasting Black Prosperity: Executive Leadership Council Board Chair Lloyd W. Brown, II and others addressed the Black/white wealth gap and other economic disparities evident of the impact of generations of inequality and discrimination. • Education: Preparing the Next Generation for the 21st Century Workforce: This town hall addressed complex issues confronting Generation Z as they plan for college and their professional careers. ELC Member Bonita Stewart, along with other panelists offered advice and commentary on how Black students can take advantage of educational and occupational opportunities and develop the skills and critical thinking necessary to join and excel in today’s workforce. • Gaining a Seat at the Table: This town hall featured a roundtable discussion about the tools, tips, and strategies Black women need to access the table of power. ELC Board Member Nancy Armand brought welcome remarks on behalf of the organization. A high-powered panel of corporate leaders shared their career journeys and how they’ve positioned themselves to reach the C-suite, as well as gain insights into their process of earning a seat on corporate boards. T H E
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Mark your calendars for the final two Town Halls in the series. Black Business Development: Achieving Parity In Capital & Contracts will be held on Thursday, January 13, 2022, and Criminal Justice Reform: Developing A Fair & Equitable System For All will take place on Thursday, February 24, 2022. Both events will be from 7:00 – 8:30 PM EST.
2021 Recognition Gala & 35th Anniversary Celebration: Celebrating Our Impact, Inspiring Our Future This year’s Gala was truly one to remember. Nearly 6,000 people registered for the virtual celebration, double the number we can accommodate in person. More than 4,000 stayed connected for the virtual after party. We awarded more than $1.3M in scholarships to 117 students – the largest ELC Scholars class in our history! These numbers reflect the tremendous progress we’ve made as an organization. Our virtual engagement enabled us to celebrate our 35 years of Black Excellence by connecting around our purpose and mission, reinforcing our movement and message, and sharing the powerful work of our organization at this unique time in ELC history. Most importantly, we recognized our 2021 ELC scholarship recipients who make up an essential part of the pipeline of successful Black business leaders of tomorrow. Additionally, we presented our coveted awards to the following honorees: • 2021 Global Game Changer Award: Colin Kaepernick, athlete and social justice advocate • 2021 Achievement Award: Rosalind Brewer, CEO, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Thasunda Brown Duckett, President and CEO, TIAA, presented by Ursula Burns, the first Black woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company, serving Xerox Corporation as CEO from 2009-2016 • 2021 Alvaro L. Martins Heritage Award: Tyler Perry, filmmaker, director, playwright, and movie executive • 2021 Corporate Award: Bank of America, accepted by Chairman and CEO Brian Moynihan For more details about The ELC Virtual Gala and to view tributes to our 35th Anniversary Celebration, download the Gala Program Book.
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The Black Directors Summit: Increasing Black Directors In Corporate America On December 10, more than 200 of The ELC’s current and aspiring board members gathered in-person to meet with private equity and public company representatives for informal networking and structured interviews for potential board positions. Designed and created by The ELC’s Institute for Leadership Development & Research, The Summit featured three 45-minute informative panel sessions, while simultaneously allowing private meetings to take place with our ELC Members. The first session, Increasing Black Directors In Corporate America with renowned academician Steven S. Rogers, focused on the importance of increasing the number of Black directors, and his work to increase the number of Black students enrolled in business schools, and why his book, A Letter to My White Friends & Colleagues, is crucial to these conversations. The next session, Positioning Yourself And Making the Transition to Leadership in the Board Room, with Howard Woolley, President of the Howard Woolley Group, and Colleen Taylor, President of U.S. Merchant Services at American Express, led a panel discussion surrounding the common challenges that board directors are likely to face and how to position themselves to take a leadership role within the board. Lastly, Goldman Sachs CEO David M. Solomon provided insights into a CEO’s perspective and relationship during the What Every Board Member Should Know session. Solomon shared how Goldman Sachs is helping to keep the momentum of adding Black directors within corporate America and how to think differently about risks.
An Exclusive Discussion with Colin Kaepernick We caught up with our 2021 Game Changer Award winner and Super Bowl Quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, in November for an exclusive discussion with ELC members. During the event, we had the opportunity to hear directly from Kaepernick about his SPAC, Kaepernick Endeavors, which includes several of the activist’s initiatives such as Kaepernick Publishing, Know Your Rights Camp, and Ra Vision Media. Since 2016, these initiatives have advanced the liberation of Black and Brown people through storytelling, systems change, and political education. Kaepernick was joined by his attorney and business partner, Ben Meiselas and Patricia Robinson, Kaepernick Endeavors’ head of Executive Operations. Together, they described the impact their organization is making and how ELC Members can work to create meaningful and sustainable partnerships. We encourage you all to reach out to Meiselas and Robinson to share your ideas for partnership and we look forward to seeing all the great opportunities that will surely come from your work together.
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Know Your Rights Camp – By the Numbers To date, the Know Your Rights Camp has provided: • $4 million in rapid response funding and support, $2.2 million of those funds are being used for financial aid and $1.8 million in in-kind donations. • Over $1 million to support bail and legal aid for freedom fighters as part of their Legal Defense Initiative and Bail Fund. • $850,000 was used to support grants for food, shelter, living needs, and educational supplies, through the creation of their COVID Relief Fund, combatting food insecurity in partnership with Impossible Foods. • More than 1900 young people have been impacted by these multi-city programs that were created to advance civil rights through education, self-empowerment, mass mobilization, and leadership.
“Beyond Promises to Progress: Black CEOs and C-Suite Officers Speak Out on Diversity” In December, The ELC’s Legacy Initiative Committee released “Beyond Promises to Progress: Black CEOs and C-Suite Officers Speak Out on Diversity,” a paper which calls on corporate CEOs to sustain their pronounced commitments to racial equity in their workforce through meaningful advocacy and accountability in their organizations. The paper, designed to provide a roadmap towards real progress, was developed through interviews conducted with 17 Black CEOs and current and former C-Suite executives. It outlines a series of actions, including change through public policy advocacy, company structure and culture building, and adopting accountability partners. The position paper seeks to help companies meaningfully address the lack of increased diversity and representation throughout corporate America at every level. The insights provided by interviewees resulted in recommendations including key actions that would lead to more accountability-driven Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) plans and metrics, such as more board oversight and governance, stronger ties to compensation, improved succession planning, and a sharper focus on employee engagement, vendor programs, and philanthropy initiatives. Click here to read the full version of “Beyond Promises to Progress: Black CEOs and C-Suite Officers Speak Out on Diversity” and resources related to the paper.
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ELC MEMBERS ON THE MOVE Q4 2021 JOB TRANSITIONS Phyllis Anderson retired as SVP & CMO of Sentara Healthcare.
Lindsay Gauthier, former VP, Associate General Counsel & Deputy Corporate Secretary for Dupont was named General Counsel and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer for QuEST Global.
Courtney D. Armstrong, former EVP of Worldwide Business Affairs at Warner Bros. Pictures, was named President of Business Affairs and Administration at Paramount Pictures.
Anthony S. Glover, former EVP, Head of U.S. Retail Banking, Engineer of Positive Transformation for HSBC, was named Global Payments and Global Client Executive for Visa.
Djouma Barry, former VP, Process Operations at Target Corporation, was named VP of Retail Operations and Planning at lululemon.
Floyd W. Green III retired as Vice President, Community Affairs at Aetna.
Kerry Chandler, former CHRO at Endeavor, was named CHRO at Bombas.
Kirkland Hicks, former Executive President and General Counsel for Lincoln National Corporation, was named General Counsel for Traffk.
Yvette Hollingsworth Clark, former EVP and Regulatory Innovation Officer at Wells Fargo, was named Director, Head of Compliance - Trust at Google.
Vince Hudson, former SVP, Brand Strategy and Marketing Operations at American Express, was named Head of Business Marketing at meta.
Brickson Diamond, CEO of Big Answers LLC, was named Client and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisor at Spencer Stuart.
Greg Jones, former EVP, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer for KeyBank was named Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer for Cargill.
Dr. Larry M. Drake, II, former President & CEO of LEADership, Education, and Development, was named Dean of the College of Business & Entrepreneurship at Bethune-Cookman University.
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Cindy R. Kent, former EVP & President Senior Living at Brookdale Senior Living, was named Chief Operating Officer for Everly Health.
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JOB TRANSITIONS Faith Knight Myers, former Chief Privacy Officer at McKesson, was named Chief Privacy Officer, McKesson and SVP, CoverMyMeds Compliance Officer.
Todd Walthall, former EVP and Chief Operating Officer at Blue Shield of California, was named EVP of Enterprise Growth at UnitedHealth Group.
Russell Smith, former Managing Partner of QualCap Solutions, was named Deal Advisory & Strategy for KPMG.
Jacqueline D. Woods, former CMO of NielsenIQ, was named CMO of Teradata.
Monica Turner, former President, Sales of North America at P&G, was named President, North America at P&G.
Marc Womack, former CEO of TD Auto Finance, was named Head of Operations at Santander Consumer USA.
Christopher Van Buren, former EVP and Chief Risk Officer, Financial Risk and Capital Management for TIAA, was named Chief Risk Officer at Edward Jones.
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Gaurdie E. Banister Jr., CEO of Different Points of View, joined the board of Enbridge Inc.
Julia M. Brown, former Chief Procurement Officer of Mars Wrigley, joined the board of Solo Brands, Inc. and Molson Coors.
D. Steve Boland, Chief Administrative Officer at Bank of America, joined the board of Frontdoor.
Herman Bulls, Vice Chairman Americas at JLL, was appointed to the Defense Policy Board by the United States Department of Defense.
Bill Borden, CVP, Worldwide Financial Services at Microsoft, joined the board of Diebold Nixdorf, Inc.
Morris R. Clark, VP and Treasurer at Marathon Oil Company, joined the board of Civitas Resources.
Jana Brown, EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer, Centurion Health, joined the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Justice Equity Diversity & Inclusion Council.
Craig Cuffie, EVP and Chief Procurement Officer of Salesforce, joined the board of Franklin Covey.
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Q4 2021
B OA R D & C O M M I S S I O N A P P O I N T M E N T S Richard “Dick” Daniels, former EVP and CIO of Kaiser Permanente, joined the board of Fastly.
Gregory Morrison, former SVP and Corporate Chief Information Officer for Cox Enterprises, Inc., joined the board of The Amerisure Companies.
Bavan M. Holloway, former Chief Audit Executive at Boeing, joined the board of Callaway Golf Company.
Clarence Otis, former CEO and Chairman of Darden Restaurants, joined the boards of InStride and Trident Management LLC.
Sandra Buchanan Hurse, Managing Director, Chief Human Resources Officer of GCM Grosvenor, joined the board of Angi, Inc.
Jeffery S. Perry, Founder & CEO of Lead Mandates LLC, joined the board of Equitable Funds. Erika Peterman, SVP, Chemical Intermediates North America at BASF, joined the board of Drax Group plc.
Janice Innis-Thompson, SVP, Corporate Litigation and Legal Operations at Nationwide, joined the board of MBIA. Arlene Isaacs-Lowe, Special Advisor to Moody’s Corporation, joined the board of Compass Group plc.
Pamela Puryear, former EVP, Global Chief Human Resources Officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance, joined the board of NextGen Healthcare.
Wright L. Lassiter III, President and CEO of Henry Ford Health System, joined the board of Fortive Corporation.
Christopher P. Reynolds, Chief Administrative Officer, Corporate Resources at Toyota Motor North America, joined the board of Southwest Airlines Co. Suzanne Shank, President and CEO at Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC, joined the board of White Mountain Insurance Group.
Sandra A. Lawrence, former Chief Administrative Officer, CFO and EVP for Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, joined the board of Delaware Funds®.
Shelly Stewart, Jr., Chairman of the Billion Dollar Roundtable, joined the board of Trident Management LLC.
Ron Lumbra, Partner, Board and CEO Practice at Heidrick & Struggles, joined the board of CCS Fundraising.
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Q4 2021
B OA R D & C O M M I S S I O N A P P O I N T M E N T S Charlene Thomas, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at UPS, joined the board of ALLETE.
Curtis Warfield, President and CEO of Windham Advisors, joined the board of Talkspace.
Kamau Witherspoon, SVP, Operations at Target Corporation, joined the board of National Retail Properties.
Josie Thomas, former EVP, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at CBS, joined the board of Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.
Al Zollar, Executive Advisor for Siris Capital Group, joined the board of IBM.
Najoh Tita-Reid, Global Chief Marketing Officer for Logitech, joined the board of bluebird bio. Todd Walthall, EVP and Chief Operating Officer at Blue Shield of California, joined the board of AllianceBernstein.
M A J O R AWA R D S & R E C O G N I T I O N 197 ELC Members were named to Savoy Magazine’s 2021 Most Influential Black Corporate Directors List. Kerry Chandler, CHRO of Bombas (as of January 2022), and Perry Stuckey were named to the National Association of Human Resources Hall of Fame. Thasunda Brown Duckett, President & CEO of TIAA, was named to EBONY’s 2021 Power 100 List. Pamela Hutchinson, Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion Bloomberg LP, was named to the Powerlist 2022 in the category of Business, Corporate, Financiers & Entrepreneurs. Dr. Heather Melville, Head of Client Experience, PricewaterhouseCoopers, served on the Panel of Judges for the Powerlist 2022.
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Q4 2021
M A J O R AWA R D S & R E C O G N I T I O N Marva Smalls, EVP, Global Head of Inclusion, ViacomCBS and EVP, Public Affairs, Kids & Family Entertainment Brands, ViacomCBS, received the National Action Network’s Triumph Award. Jacky Wright, Corporate Vice President and Chief Digital Officer Microsoft US, was named the most influential Black person in the UK by the Powerlist 2022.
MEDIA MENTIONS Aster Angagaw, former President, ServiceMaster Brands, released her book, We Are So Much More: Integrating the 7 Dimensions of Success for Women Leaders to Thrive at Work and in Life. Kenneth I. Chenault, Chairman and Managing Director of General Catalyst, and Kenneth C. Frazier, Executive Chairman and former CEO of Merck & Co., were featured in a Fortune article: The OneTen initiative is partnering with Guild Education to upskill Black Americans. Chenault was also mentioned in an Axios article: “Racial audit” playbook pushed on companies with lacking practices. Wole Coaxum, CEO of MoCaFi, was featured in a Fast Company article: Turning the digital divide into a digital bridge. Carla Harris, Vice Chairman of Wealth Management & Managing Director at Morgan Stanley, was featured in a Yahoo Finance video: Morgan Stanley executive: ‘There is no trade-off if you align your priorities around ESG’. Harris was also featured in an MSNBC article: The pandemic taught women this crucial lesson about change. Geri Thomas, former Georgia President and Chief Diversity Officer at Bank of America, was mentioned in an Atlanta Business Chronicle article: Bank of America’s new Atlanta president ‘aims to be better everyday.’ Wanji Walcott, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of Discover, was mentioned in a Law.com article: Minority Corporate Counsel Association Releases Tool to Assess Law Firms’ DEI Efforts. Kevin Warren, EVP and CMO of UPS, and Chloe Barzey, Managing Director at Accenture, were featured in an Atlanta Business Chronicle article: Georgia leaders provide practical counsel on the evolving role of the CEO. Robin Washington, former Chief Financial Officer of Gilead Sciences, was featured in a Bollyinside article: The calculations needed to become a CFO. Keith R. Wyche, VP, Community Engagement and Support at Walmart, wrote an article for the December 2021 edition of HR News: 5 Ways HR Professionals Can Champion DEI.
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SAVE THE DATE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE ELC EVENTS & PROGRAMS IN 2022 WINTER MEMBER MEETING
5:00 – 6:30 p.m. ET on March 3, 2022 and 1:00-4:30p.m. ET on March 4, 2022 (Virtual)
THE POWER OF WOMEN AT WORK April 5, 2022 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET (Virtual)
BLACK MEN IN LEADERSHIP May 17, 2022 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET (Virtual)
C-SUITE ACADEMY June 6-8, 2022 Atlanta, GA (In-person)
SUMMER MEMBER MEETING June 8-10, 2022 The Ritz-Carlton, Denver, CO (In-person)
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT WEEK - EAST July 31 – August 5, 2022 Fontainebleau Hotel, Miami, FL (In-person)
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT WEEK, VIRTUAL PROGRAMS August 1 – September 16, 2022 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET (Virtual)
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP FORUM July 20-21, 2022 The InterContinental, Washington, D.C. (In-person)
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5TH ANNUAL BLACK ECONOMIC FORUM August 17-18, 2022 Martha’s Vineyard, MA (In-person)
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT WEEK - WEST September 11-16, 2022 Grand Hyatt, San Francisco, CA (In-person)
MID-LEVEL MANAGERS’ SYMPOSIUM October 3-4, 2022 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET (Virtual)
MID-LEVEL MANAGERS’ SYMPOSIUM NETWORKING RECEPTION
For MLMS Participants and ELC Members October 5, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET National Museum of African American History & Culture, Washington, D.C. (In-person)
MID-LEVEL MANAGERS’ SYMPOSIUM October 5-6, 2022 The Marriott Marquis Hotel, Washington, D.C. (In-person)
HONORS SYMPOSIUM
October 5-6, 2022 The Marriott Marquis Hotel, Washington, D.C. (In-person)
CEO GAMECHANGER CONFERENCE® October 6, 2022 The Marriott Marquis Hotel, Washington, D.C. (In-person)
ANNUAL RECOGNITION GALA October 6, 2022 The Marriott Marquis Hotel, Washington, D.C. (In-person)
O N subject T A C T to | change F A L L at 2 0the 2 1 discretion of ELC leadership *as of December 17, 2021C and
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