The Executive Leadership Council (ELC)

We are proud to present our ELC New Member Class of 2025! Join us in welcoming this exceptional group of leaders to The Executive Leadership Council. Their dedication, expertise, and impact continue to drive meaningful change in corporate leadership and beyond. 61 new ELC members have been officially inducted: AJ Barkley, AJ Jones II, Alice L. Jolla, Andrez Carberry, Bentina Terry, Bradley Knox, Candi Castleberry, Carolyn Butler-Lee, Cassandra Lee, Cat Tucker, Charmaine Riggins, Colette Honorable, Corey Bailey, Corey Lee, Daniel Brown, Elena Richards, Ernest Adams, Frank Brown, Fredrick Walker, Gene Todd, Halimah DeLaine Prado, Harry Caldwell, Hubert Allen, James Bennett, Jason Blake, Josetta Jones, Kelvin Dender, Ken Washington, PhD, Kitty Chaney-Reed, Kristi Rodriguez (Martin), Kristy Williams Fercho, Larson Richardson, Lloyd Plenty, Machell Mims, Malik Ducard, Melanie Boulden, Michael Parker, Mike Watson, Nadine A., Nakeya Shelton, Pamela Everhart, Peter Muriungi, Phyllis Turner-Brim, Preston Hopson, Robert Ladd, Roger G Arrieux Jr., Sean Lee, Shanda Hinton, Shar Douglass, Sherry Cassano, Shurawl Sibblies, Stephanie Childs, Tamara Asamoah, Teresa Clarke, Tom Shropshire, Toni Townes-Whitley, Tony Byers, Tony M. Edwards, Tutu Agyare, Viveca Fairbanks-Henderson, and Vusa Mlingo. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e_WDgA8D

#ExecutiveHighlight: Congratulations to Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe, who was named Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Duke Energy Carolinas. Prior to his current role, Ghartey-Tagoe served as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary for Duke Energy, one of the nation’s largest energy holding companies. Ghartey-Tagoe is a member of the company’s senior management committee and serves as the primary legal advisor to Duke Energy’s board of directors and senior management. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ezPg_uth #Leadership #Executives

Today, artificial intelligence (AI) is our electricity. And it is not arriving gradually. It is advancing at the speed of light. In the 2025 Voice of The ELC Member survey, 85 percent of senior executives named AI their top strategic priority, ahead of economic volatility and geopolitical risk. This is more than a trend. It is a signal that AI is now a central driver of competitive advantage and long-term relevance. Leaders who lean in now are setting the terms of the future. Yet most leaders are still standing at the edge. While executive awareness is high, execution is not. The same ELC survey found that while 84.3 percent of companies have appointed Chief Data Officers, only 33.1 percent have established Chief AI Officer roles. Many organizations are still operating in pilot mode, with no real integration plan. We are holding the wires, but the power is not flowing because we haven’t connected them. Read more on our blog: https://lnkd.in/gjUNsJBM #AI #Insights #LeadershipInTech

Leadership growth isn’t just about doing more—it’s about doing what matters most. In this powerful message, #ELCMember Carla Harris shares how high-performing leaders strategically take on new responsibilities that move their careers forward without sacrificing sustainability. Learn how to: 💼 Identify the right opportunities 💼 Structure your workload with intention 💼 Maintain high-impact performance without burnout Your next level of leadership starts with how you manage today! Source: Carla Harris #LeadershipDevelopment #ELCLeadership #Executives #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment

Congratulations to #ELCMember André Branch, who was named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at R.e.m Beauty. "Having André join us here at R.e.m has just been such an incredible gift and cosmic collision while bringing such a fresh perspective to the business side and having such a strong track record of bringing bold beautiful ideas to life," Grande told WWD in an exclusive interview. Read more: https://lnkd.in/et3-6Ksy #ELCMembersOnTheMove #Leadership #Executives

#ELCSnapshots: Leadership Development Week (LDW) brought together high-performing professionals for a transformative 5-day journey — grounded in strategy, elevated by purpose. Through tailored tracks, real-time learning, and personalized pre-work, participants left equipped with tools that drive results. This is how you invest in your future! ✨ Learn more about our 2025 Leadership Development programs: https://lnkd.in/emdZNccc #LDW2025 #LeadershipDevelopment

#ExecutiveHighlight: Congratulations to Tamika Tremaglio, who was named Managing Director at Secretariat. In this role, she will lead the expansion of it's Global Sports Consulting practice. The former executive director of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), Tamika is a globally renowned leader with more than 30 years of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, leading law firms, and prominent sports industry organizations, executives, and athletes. Read the official press release: https://lnkd.in/g_RsghbK #Leadership #Executives

The CEO gig economy is here. One in three new CEOs in 2025 is stepping into the role on an interim basis — up from just 9% last year. As uncertainty grows and companies grapple with rapid change, many are turning to fractional leadership for flexibility and fast execution. Meanwhile, seasoned executives are embracing short-term roles that offer fresh challenges without long-term commitments. What does this mean for organizational culture, stability, and long-term success? Read more: https://lnkd.in/eQeW-hNb

#ExecutiveHighlight: Congratulations to Kevin Lavender, who was named Vice Chair of Commercial Banking at Fifth Third Bank. In this role, Kevin is responsible for overseeing the Company’s vertically integrated commercial sales teams, Capital Markets, Specialty Lending and Treasury Management businesses. He also is a member of the Enterprise committee. “Under Kevin Lavender’s leadership, we have continued to expand our reach and delivery of a broad array of innovative client solutions,” said Tim Spence, chairman, CEO and president of Fifth Third. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eda42xGp #Leadership #Executives

August is Black Business Month! 🖤💼 At The Executive Leadership Council, we’re proud to honor the power, perseverance, and innovation of Black-owned businesses. From legacy enterprises to emerging startups, Black entrepreneurs are reshaping industries, creating jobs, and driving economic progress. Through our mission to open channels of opportunity, we’re committed to building an inclusive pipeline of talent that uplifts communities and transforms global business. This month, and every month, we celebrate Black excellence in business—and reaffirm our support for the leaders and visionaries shaping our future. #BlackBusinessMonth #ELCImpact #Leadership #Business