WASHINGTON, DC — The Executive Leadership Council (ELC), the preeminent global membership organization for Black CEOs, senior executives, board members, top-tier entrepreneurs, and global thought leaders, has announced that it will honor ELC member and Lowe’s Chairman and CEO Marvin Ellison with the 2022 ELC Achievement Award during its 36th Annual Recognition Gala taking place on October 6, 2022, at the Washington D.C. Marriott Marquis. The Achievement Award is presented to Black corporate executives whose business career achievements highlight personal and professional excellence.
In addition to honoring CEO Ellison, the ELC will honor Corporate Board Chair, Director, and Philanthropist Brenda J. Lauderback with the prestigious 2022 Alvaro L. Martins Heritage Award; and the Target Corporation will be the recipient of its 2022 Corporate Award for outstanding commitment to achieving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
“Marvin embodies the courage, tenacity, and vision that The ELC works every day to instill in its scholars and future generations of Black executives and professionals,” said ELC President and CEO Michael C. Hyter. “His achievements are not only proof that anything is possible, but that investment in ideas, innovation, and inclusion, is profitable for the triple bottom line. Marvin is a source of pride for the Black community and the ELC, and we are honored to recognize his achievements.”
As only one of six Black Fortune 500 CEOs and the only Black executive to serve as CEO of more than one Fortune 500 company, Ellison also stands out as one of its most influential leaders. Since he arrived at Lowe’s in 2018, the company has generated $25 billion in incremental sales, delivering a total shareholder return of approximately 120%, compared to about 44% for the S&P 500 over the same timeframe. Additionally, diversity and inclusion are a priority, with 50% of Lowe’s executive officers and over 50% of the Lowe’s board of directors being women and racially or ethnically diverse.
“The collective power of The ELC and its members to develop our future leaders and help them reach their highest potential is as important today as it has ever been,” Ellison said. “It’s an honor to receive this recognition and partner with the Council to continue the hard work that remains – to bring out the best in others and drive greater diversity across the business community.”
Brenda J. Lauderback will receive the prestigious 2022 Alvaro L. Martins Heritage Award. The ELC Alvaro L. Martins Heritage Award was created in honor of The ELC’s founding member and its first president and CEO. It recognizes an individual who has made significant lifetime contributions toward supporting the achievement of Black individuals in business.
“Brenda’s exceptional contributions to the Black community in business and service are second to none. She possesses an undying commitment to her profession and authentic joy for service that is rarely found in one person, and she serves as an inspiration to our members, our scholars, and the Black community as a whole,” said ELC President and CEO Hyter. “Her decades-long commitment to volunteerism is legendary. We are proud to honor her with the 2022 Alvaro L. Martins Heritage Award.”
Earlier this year, Lauderback’s volunteerism garnered her the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from the White House, the highest civil volunteerism award presented by the President of the United States to those who have volunteered more than 4,000 hours of service.
In addition to devoting her time to giving back to her community, Lauderback serves as board chair for Denny’s board of directors, is a member of the Sleep Number and Wolverine Worldwide corporate boards and serves as a member of Smart Set. Board of the Gibbes Museum. She is considered one of the National Association of Corporate Directors Top 100 Directors. She is on the National Restaurant News’ Power List of Most Influential People in Foodservice and one of Savoy Magazine’s Most Influential Women in Corporate America. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her leadership in numerous publications, including Ebony, Jet, Essence, Black Enterprise, and Forbes. In the community, she is a member of The Links, Incorporated, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, CHUMS, and The Girlfriends, Incorporated.
TARGET will receive The ELC’s 2022 Corporate Award for outstanding commitment to achieving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Created to recognize organizations that have made significant contributions to the advancement of Black executives in corporate America, the ELC Corporate Award recognizes companies that have committed to providing economic opportunities and promoting a culture of inclusivity within the organization and in Black communities throughout the country.
“While the conversation around DEI has become front and center over the past three years, TARGET has been walking the walk and leading by example for over a decade,” said ELC President and CEO Hyter. “Their holistic approach to creating lasting, systemic change for their Black team members, communities, and partners has paid dividends and made them the blueprint for DEI done right in corporate America. We are honored to recognize their team with this year’s 2022 ELC Corporate Award.”
“As a company committed to serving all families, DEI is core to all we do. And our strength as a business demands that we continually turn good intentions into actions that serve our team, guests, and communities,” says Brian Cornell, CEO of Target. “ELC provides collaborative connections as we move from intention to action, whether in our broad and longstanding DEI commitments or through our REACH, Racial Equity Action and Change, efforts focused specifically on Black stakeholders. We know that continued engagement with Black executives in our company and beyond will drive lasting positive impact for all families.”
The ELC 36th Annual Recognition Gala is the organization’s most important fundraising event, supporting its scholarships, educational outreach, and philanthropic initiatives and recognizing its mission, purpose, and impact in action. This year’s gala highlights business achievement honors corporate and individual award recipients and delivers $1.5 million in scholarships to ELC Scholarship Program awardees. Johnson & Johnson returns as the Lead Sponsor of the 2022 Gala.
For more information, visit www.elcinfo.com. Engage during the event on social media: #ELCGALA on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
