Page 114 - Forbes - USA (October 2019)
P. 114
ELC C-Suite Academy participants
focused on the success of The ELC In today’s global economy, with instan-
in serving our members.” taneous information, “the ELC has a
meaningful opportunity to be proactive,
EXTERNAL ADVOCACY WR GHŻQH DQG RZQ RXU EUDQG DPRQJ NH\
For over 30 years, The ELC has decision makers,” adds Marketing Com-
relied on its members to “serve as mittee co-chair Ed Dandridge, global
ELC brand ambassadors in their head of marketing and communications
companies and in the world,” for AIG’s General Insurance business.
says Leilani Brown, ELC Board “We have a unique and enduring pur-
secretary, co-chair of the Board’s pose. We need to be authentic and clear
Marketing Committee and senior about what we stand for and why.”
vice president of strategic part- One successful avenue has been The
nerships at K12. “And they do it ELC’s External Advocacy Committee’s
effectively. Yet The ELC remains proactive engagement with members of
one of the best-kept secrets, the U.S. Congress who support diversity
and that’s not to anybody’s ben- and inclusion. The reception The ELC
HŻW QRW WR 7KH (/& WR FRUSRUDWH holds annually during Congressional
ELC CEO Skip Spriggs jokes with Patti LaBelle America, to the business com- Black Caucus (CBC) week is a popular
at 2018 ELC Annual Recognition Gala
munity or to our community.” result, and already Caucus members
Now, The ELC has begun “reach out to ELC leaders for policy
sharing its knowledge and input or to sit in on a hearing,” says Barry
experience beyond the cor- Granger, co-chair of The ELC’s External
“We are receiving more membership porate context. “We are a business Advocacy Committee and founder and
applications than ever,” reports Barzey, organization with a vast reservoir of head of the private equity company B3
“and they are looking for business suc- content expertise on any and every Technology Investments.
cess but also a deeper purpose for their ŻHOG RI EXVLQHVV HQGHDYRU ř VD\V /XFLD Because The ELC actually evolved
lives.” Leatherberry sees The ELC’s future Riddle, co-chair of The ELC’s External from the unsuccessful efforts of ELC
in this rich blend: “The common character- Advocacy Committee, “and our very founder Alvaro Martins to save a Texas
istic of all these leaders, regardless of their presence on panels or at congressional HBCU from bankruptcy, strengthening
professional backgrounds, is they want to hearings speaks directly to the value of this long history of engagement with
have an impact.” She promises: “I am laser diversity and inclusion.” HBCUs is a priority. Many of today’s
24 | DIVERSITY
