Thasunda Brown Duckett says she learned everything she needed to know about being a CEO at a young age.
But who are the executives behind the desk? Meet the Black CEOs running the country’s largest companies.
Company: Fannie Mae
Years as CEO: 0.7
University attended: bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, University of Birmingham, England
Company: Lowe’s
Years as CEO: 8.0
University attended: bachelor’s degree in business administration, University of Memphis; MBA, Emory University
Company: TIAA
Years as CEO: 5.1
University attended: bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing, University of Houston; MBA, Baylor University
Company: Southern Company
Years as CEO: 3.1
University attended: bachelor of science in political science, Western Michigan University; masters in public administration; American University
Christopher C. Womack is the president, chairman, and CEO of Southern Company, an energy provider that ranks No. 152 on the Fortune 500 list. Womack was appointed CEO in 2023.
Company: Exelon
Years as CEO: 3.5
University attended: bachelor of science in public relations and political science, Bradley University; J.D. in corporate and environmental, Washington University School of Law
In an October 2024 interview at the Fortune Impact Initiative, Butler shared his advice for the next generation of leaders: “Surround yourself with people who are more talented and smarter than you, and learn from them.”
Company: C.H. Robinson Worldwide
Years as CEO: 3.0
University attended: bachelor of science in manufacturing design, Bradley University; master of science in engineering management, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Company: DTE Energy
Years as CEO: 0.8
University attended: bachelor of science in Industrial Engineering; MBA, Wayne State University
Company: Kohl’s
Years as CEO: 1.1
University attended: bachelor’s degree in economics, Stanford University; MBA in finance, marketing, and management policy, Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University
Company: M&T Bank
Years as CEO: 8.5
University attended: bachelor of science in management science, Boston College; MBA, University of Rochester’s Simon School of Business
Company: Henry Schein
Years as CEO: 0.3
University attended: bachelor of science in mechanical engineering, Tennessee Technological University; master of science in manufacturing management, Kettering University
Company: QVC Group
Years as CEO: 4.7
University attended: bachelor of arts in political science, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina; J.D., the University of South Carolina School of Law; M.B.A., Harvard Business School.
A version of this story was published on Fortune.com on February 9, 2026.
