In an address to students at Albany State University, Black Enterprise’s Women of Power Legacy Award honoree Susan L. Taylor said, “It’s not your fault, but it is your responsibility.” The former Editor-in-Chief of Essence magazine explained to the student body that while the social ills and injustices of the world are no fault of our own, we still have a duty in working to rectify them.
As we reviewed the profiles of black women in Corporate America, eight in particular reminded us of that profound light Taylor shed. Each of them have conquered mountainous feats in their industries, making their way to executive level suites. And in all the glory of holding high-ranking positions, these extraordinary black women in Corporate America still make service to others a priority. The following standup executives remind us that there’s always time to give back.
Richelle Parham, eBay
Richelle Parham is the Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of eBay North America. The marketing genius develops strategies and executes all marketing activities to reach 140+ million active eBay users. She’s been with the company since 2010, taking on global responsibility for eBay brand strategy and marketing, Internet marketing and CRM. Parham is also an advocate of empowering female leaders through STEM programs, which also includes sitting on the advisory board for Girls Who Code. Richelle Parham graduated from Drexel University as a double major in Business Administration and Design Arts.
Corlis D. Murray, Quality Assurance
Corlis D.Murray is the Senior Vice President of Quality Assurance, Regulatory & Engineering Services. Prior to her position in 2012, Murray served as Vice President, Global Engineering Services. While juggling her responsibilities as SVP, she supports the Abbott Mentoring Program and the Women Engineers Network. Corlis also initiated a high school engineering intern program in partnership with North Carolina A&T University Relations to help close the STEM gap. She received her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Debbie Roberts, McDonald’s
Debbie Roberts is President of McDonald’s Northeast Zone. She leads strategy, talent and brand development to drive long-term growth for nearly 3,000 McDonald’s throughout the Northeast United States. Roberts began her career with the fast food chain in 1990 as a staff accountant. In her climb up the ladder, Debbie also involved herself in the Women’s Food
Service Forum and the Executive Leadership Council. The president is an executive sponsor for McDonald’s Women’s Leadership Network and a board member of the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, Walmart
Claire Babineaux-Fontenot is the Executive Vice President and Treasurer of Walmart Stores, Inc. The EVP oversees tax, investor relations, capital markets and treasury operations. She joined Walmart in 2004 as VP, Audits and Tax Policy. Three years later she was promoted to her current position. Claire serves the board for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the Women off the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting. She completed college at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and earned a law degree from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge. Claire received a master of law degree in taxation from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in Dallas.
Michelle Y. Lee, Wells Fargo
Michelle Y. Lee is the President of Community Banking for Wells Fargo’s Eastern Region. Her region includes 14 states, plus the District of Columbia, with more than 2,700 banking stores and 4,600 ATMs. She’s dedicated her entire 30-plus-year career to Wells
Fargo and its predecessor companies. A recipient of the Excellence in Business and Community Service Award, Michelle lends much of her time giving back. She’s served on the boards for a host of organizations, including the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, YMCA of Greater New York and Alliance for Lupus Foundation.Marion K. Gross, McDonald’s
Marion K. Gross is the McDonald’s Senior Vice President, Supply Chain Management, North America and U.S. Sustainability. She oversees more than $13 billion in food and beverage, packaging, premiums and distribution for over 15,000 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. Gross actively mentors future leaders through the McDonald’s African American employee network and serves on the board of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and NW Indiana. She also sits on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago. Marion holds a bachelor of science degree in Transportation and Physical Distribution from Western Illinois University.
Laree R. Daniel, Aflac
Laree R. Daniel is the Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Aflac, overseeing all operations business units. She joined the company in 2007 as a customer service
experience consultant and in 2012 she took on her current position. Laree’s board affiliations include Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Task Force on Family Violence and Sharon Jr. Academy. She graduated with a degree in business and psychology from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a master’s in organizational psychology from University of Nebraska at Omaha.Gale V. King, Nationwide
Gale V. King is Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Nationwide Insurance. At the Fortune 100 company, King is responsible for human resources, diversity and inclusion, corporate real estate, corporate security and aviation. She’s accountable for about $1.1 billion in operating budget and benefits expenses. in 2007, the executive established a scholarship program in the names of her late mother and grandmother to support her belief that education changes lives. Additionally, Ms. King serves on board of directors of the Columbus Museum of Art and National Urban League. She earned a degree in journalism and a master’s in public administration.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, celebrate these three ladies in Corporate America who made history in their current roles.