The Executive Leadership Council (ELC)

The Executive Leadership Council mourns the sudden passing of ELC Past President and Chief Executive Officer Ronald C. Parker. Ron was a visionary leader, dedicated ELC Member, and unwavering advocate for creating opportunities and advancing leadership excellence. Over nearly 30 years at PepsiCo, he rose to Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Labor Relations, and Chief Global Diversity & Inclusion Officer, shaping HR strategies for over 120,000 employees and setting new standards for leadership development. When he was recruited to lead The ELC, he guided the organization through a critical transformation—merging the membership and foundation into a single entity, expanding programs, and engaging CEOs in high-impact conversations that strengthened The ELC’s position as the preeminent voice for Black executives in Corporate America. Most recently, as CEO of National Association of Securities Professionals (NASP), he continued creating pathways for underrepresented professionals in financial services. Ron was a true servant leader, known for his warmth, generosity, and ability to inspire. A mentor and champion for countless individuals, he was always lifting others as he climbed. Beyond the corporate world, Ron was a steadfast advocate for preserving and celebrating Black excellence. He played a pivotal role in The ELC’s historic $1 million donation to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture History and Culture, recognizing its significance in documenting the journey from slavery to senior executive leadership of Fortune 500 companies. We anticipated Ron’s insights at our upcoming Winter Member Meeting, where he planned to share his support for the new National Juneteenth Museum. While his presence will be deeply missed, his impact and legacy will continue to guide us. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Paula, his children, grandchildren, and all who knew him. We will honor Ron’s memory through our ongoing commitment to lifting as we climb.

📺 Watch Audrey Taylor, Chief Academy Officer at the Executive Leadership Council, reflect on the transformation from managing technical expertise to overseeing a business's broader financial health in this POWW 2024 session! Learn more about The ELC 2025 Power of Women at Work workshops: https://bit.ly/48O4lOR #POWW2025 #WomenWhoLead

Jason McAlphine, Senior Vice President of Performance Materials at BASF, explains his experience over the last 22 years with leading organizational change. 💼 Learn more about The ELC 2025 Men in Leadership Conference: https://bit.ly/4fLQMSi #MIL2025 #OurMenLead

Celebrating Black Excellence in Leadership: Richelieu Dennis 🏆 Richelieu Dennis, Founder and Executive Chair of the Sundial Group of Companies, joined Forbes' Jared Council on "Forbes Talks" to discuss his story of entrepreneurial success, his goal of building brands that are an integral part of Black identity, how he's building a Black business ecosystem, and why he's venturing into the media space. Source: Forbes #BlackMenLead #Entrepreneurs #BlackLeadership #BlackExecutives #BlackExcellence

Celebrating Black Excellence in Leadership: Madam C.J Walker 🏆 One of the pioneers of the hair care industry is an African-American woman named Sarah Breedlove. After becoming a widow at the age of 20, the pressures in her day-to-day life as a single mother led to a bad bout of hair loss in her 30s. This prompted Breedlove to find a magical cure to promote hair growth. After testing a formula made by a woman named Annie Turnbo, Breedlove remarried, changed her name to Madame C.J. Walker, and founded her own company, which launched the iconic product, Madam C.J. Walker Wonderful Hair Grower. With her knack for being an expert marketer and a natural door-to-door saleswoman, she acquired a fortune that was valued at an estimated $1 million dollars at the time of her 1919 death. We are honored to highlight Madam C.J Walker as the first black female self-made millionaire. Source: Black History in Two Minutes or So via YouTube #BlackWomenLead #BlackBusiness #BlackLeadership

30 days until #POWW2025! ✨💓 Power of Women at Work (POWW) is your opportunity to catapult your career and unleash your leadership potential with: ⭐ Expert-Led Sessions: Learn from senior executives, including underserved leaders and industry innovators, in highly relevant areas like business acumen, communication, and change leadership. ⭐ Actionable Strategies: Build skills in emotional intelligence, influence, and career acceleration. ⭐ Meaningful Connections: Network with like-minded peers and seasoned leaders to expand your professional community. ⭐ Flexible Format: Virtual format provides convenient yet dynamic learning without geographic constraint. Learn more: https://bit.ly/48O4lOR #POWW2025 #WomenWhoLead

Celebrating the Next Generation of Black Leaders and Executives 💼🤎 Meet Javi Morales, the Chief Branding Officer at Future Black Leaders Inc. Javi is also a Creative Media and Entertainment major with a Marketing minor at Butler University. With his expertise in branding and a passion for creativity, he’s paving the way for the next generation of leaders and innovators in the media and entertainment industries. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g93U56GM #BlackLeaders #Technology #Leadership

#POWW2024 Recap 💬 How can people who are not in latter role positions influence and encourage those who are to lead? Learn more about The ELC 2025 Power of Women at Work workshops: https://bit.ly/48O4lOR #POWW2025 #WomenWhoLead

Celebrating the Next Generation of Black Leaders and Executives: Jim Reynolds 💼🤎 Jim Reynolds, founder of Loop Capital, now leads Coco5, a vegan beverage brand generating millions and backed by notable athletes. After founding Loop Capital in 1997, Reynolds invested in Coco5 in 2015, a hydration company made with balanced sugars, no artificial additives, and non-GMO ingredients. Since then, Coco5 has grown from 100 to 4,000 retail locations, including Sprouts and Whole Foods, and generates nearly $10 million in revenue annually. While not yet profitable, the brand aims to scale further in the $74 billion electrolyte drink market by 2034. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ewuevby9 #BlackMenLead #BlackLeaders #BlackExecutives #BlackHistoryMonth

Through her JJK Foundation, six-time Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee is making a profound impact on the youth of East St. Louis, helping to shape the future of her community. Her “Winning in Life” curriculum is designed to inspire and guide young people towards success by focusing on building self-esteem, discipline, leadership, and resilience—values that have driven Jackie to excellence both on and off the track. By providing mentorship, education, and resources, the JJK Foundation ensures that young individuals have the tools they need to thrive, all while showing them that greatness doesn't require leaving their hometown. Jackie’s work stands as a testament to the power of giving back and proving that success is possible no matter where you come from. Through her foundation, she’s not only empowering the next generation but also proving that East St. Louis is a place where dreams can take flight. Read about her inspiring story: https://lnkd.in/eEwBNg_9 #BlackWomenLead #BlackExcellence #BlackLeadership #Mentorship