Thasunda Brown Duckett says she learned everything she needed to know about being a chief executive officer at a young age.
But who are the executives behind the desk? Meet the Black CEOs running the country’s largest companies.
1. Marvin R. Ellison
Company: Lowe’s
Years as CEO: 6.6
University attended: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, University of Memphis; MBA, Emory University.
2. Thasunda Brown Duckett
Company: TIAA
Years as CEO: 3.9
University attended: B.S. in Finance and Marketing, University of Houston; MBA, Baylor University
3. Christopher C. Womack
Company: Southern Company
Years as CEO: 1.9
University attended: Bachelor of Science in Political Science, Western Michigan University, Masters in Public Administration; American University
4. Calvin Butler
Company: Exelon
Years as CEO: 2.1
University attended: Bachelor of Science in Public Relations/Political Science, Bradley University; JD in Corporate & 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.”
5. David P. Bozeman
Company: C.H. Robinson Worldwide
Years as CEO: 1.7
University attended: Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Design, Bradley University; Master of Science in Engineering Management, Milwaukee School of Engineering
6. René F. Jones
Company: M&T Bank
Years as CEO: 7.2
University attended: Bachelor of Science in Management Science, Boston College; MBA, University of Rochester’s Simon School of Business
7. David L. Rawlinson II
Company: QVC Group
Years as CEO: 3.4
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; MBA, Harvard Business School
8. Toni Townes-Whitley
Company: SAIC
Years as CEO: 1.4
University attended: Bachelor’s degree in public policy and economics, Princeton University’s School of Public & International Affairs
