Continuing to shine light on the top black executives we should know, Black Enterprise’s February issue highlighted the 50 Most Powerful Women in Corporate America who are breaking glass ceilings within their industry.
For some of these women, they are the first female and African American to serve in their executive position and they are responsible for managing both large and small teams that handle billion dollar assets. While it’s clear that hard work and dedication is what led these women to have the success they hold today, it’s important to note the colleges/universities that helped in shaping their leadership skills. The following are six of the most powerful women in corporate America who got a jump start to their career success at an HBCU.
[Related: Women of Power: Five Black CFOs Calling the Shots in Corporate America]
Jerri DeVard, ADT Corporation:
Jerri DeVard is the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
for ADT corporation where she oversees the company’s marketing efforts across the residential, small business and health business units. She currently sits on the Board of Trustees at Spelman College where she earned a bachelor’s of arts in economics. After graduating from Spelman, DeVard went on to earn her MBA in marketing from Atlanta University Graduate School of Business.
Freda C. Lewis-Hall, M.D., Pfizer Medical:
Freda C. Lewis-Hall, M.D. is the Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President at Pfizer Medical and is responsible for the safe and effective use of the company’s medicines and vaccines around the world. She earned her undergraduate degree at John Hopkins University and her medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine.
Mirian Graddick-Weir, Merck:
As Executive Vice President, Human Resources at Merck, Graddick-Weir is responsible for handling all human resource aspects for over 71,000 colleagues worldwide. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hampton University and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in industrial/organizational psychology from Pennsylvania State University.
Glenda G. McNeal, American Express Company:
Joining American Express in 1989, McNeal has worked her way up the ranks to Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Global Client Group in Merchant Services Americas. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Dillard University and her MBA in finance from the University of Pennsylvania.
Brenda Ross-Dulan, Wells Fargo:
As Executive Vice President and Regional President of Wells Fargo’s Southern New Jersey region, Ross-Dulan manages 150 of the company’s retail banking stores. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Howard University and an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Colleen Taylor, Capital One Bank:
Having been apart of the Capital One family since 2009, Taylor serves as the company’s Executive Vice President and Head of Treasury Management and Enterprises, as well as the Market President for Brooklyn and Queens. She graduated magna cum laude from Spelman College and went on to earn her MBA from the University of Pennsylvania.