The Executive Leadership Council was founded in 1986 with the goal of increasing the number of global Black executives holding C-Suite roles, both in corporate and global business entities. Building an inclusive network of Black professionals, the nonprofit’s 35 year history includes over 800 present and former Black CEO’s and encompasses senior executives, entrepreneurs and board members.
As its biggest fundraiser of the season, the organization hosted its Recognition Gala and 35th Anniversary Celebration in October and honored two Black women; Rosalind Brewer and Thasunda Brown Duckett, for their success in running two of the nation’s largest publicly traded companies.
In January 2021, Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. tapped Rosalind ‘Roz’ Brewer to become the company’s new CEO. Formally the Chief Operating Officer for Starbucks, Brewer became the only Black Woman CEO in the S&P 500 index.
Awardee Thasunda Brown Duckett was appointed President and CEO of TIAA, a Fortune 100 financial services organization, in February 2021. The former CEO consumer banking at JPMorgan Chase etched her name in history as the second Black woman to lead one of the nation’s 500 largest public companies.
“Rosalind and Thasunda’s dynamic leadership, in the Fortune 500 and in past leadership roles, has yielded significant business growth for their organizations. Both CEOs demonstrate that when afforded the opportunity, Black women can and will lead at the highest levels. The ELC is proud to honor them for their historic achievements and as allies in advancing Black leadership in business,” says Michael C. Hyter, President and CEO of the ELC.
Presenting the two women with the prestigious recognition was a Black woman who, in her own right, has made strides as a woman of color in C-Suite. Ursula Burns, the first Black Woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company, Xerox Corp, bestowed the 2021 Achievement Award to Brewer and Duckett.
In addition, Brian Moynihan, Bank of America Chairman and CEO, took home the 2021 Corporate Award on behalf of his firm. Each year, the ELC awards a corporation that has made significant contributions to the advancement of Black corporate executives in areas including pipeline development, board diversity, supplier diversity, and philanthropic efforts to the Black community.
“Through our actions inside and outside our company, we are working to help create greater equality and opportunity for all,” says Moynihan. “And we are grateful to have committed partners like The ELC on this journey. This is a movement not a moment. And we will continue to move forward together.”
Explaining the bank’s contribution to not only Black executives, but the African American community at large, ELC acknowledges the nation’s second-largest bank’s contributions to advancing diversity, inclusion and equity.
“Bank of America has proven its commitment to advancing racial equality and economic opportunity through a number of sustainable initiatives that directly impact the Black community,” Hyter said. “During a time when so many companies have pledged to increase their DE&I efforts, Bank of America’s have been meaningful, and [its] work will continue to create opportunities for the Black community to be economically engaged and financially empowered.”
The Executive Leadership Council plans to continue making strides for Black C-Suite professionals across the world. In 2017, the organization became a founding signatory of the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion, which brings together more than 150 CEO’s to Exchange Best Known Actions on Diversity and Inclusion.
The ELC made changes to its own C-Suite earlier this year with the appointment of Michael C. Hyter as President and CEO of the organization in February 2021. The organization also offers development programs geared towards African American women, mid-level managers, and a scholarship program for students. The C-Suite Academy is also offered through the ELC and is designed for senior executives looking to reach C-Suite status. The program partners with global management consulting firm, McKinsey & Company to prepare Black professionals for a the elevation to C-Suite.
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