The Executive Leadership Council held its 2015 Q3 Corporate Board Initiative (CBI) Networking Reception and Panel Discussion on Tuesday, September 15. The event was hosted by Carnival Corporation & plc at the EPIC Miami in Miami, FL. More than 80 ELC members and invited guests, including Miami business leaders, board directors, and prominent members of the community including former Congressman Kendrick Meek and Rep. Shevrin D. Jones (FL-101), gathered for this special event focused on boardroom diversity.

“Global Governance: Different Voices Needed to Be Heard,” featured Black and Latino corporate board members in a candid conversation on multiculturalism in today’s increasingly diverse corporate board environment. Carnival Corporation & plc President and Chief Executive Officer Arnold Donald kicked off the conversation with welcome remarks discussing the value and impact of diversity in the boardroom. The panelists then participated in a lively discussion about the skills that are needed in boardrooms today. The panel featured ELC members Orlando Ashford, President, Holland America Line and Jerri DeVard, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, The ADT Corporation, along with Abelardo (Al) Bru, Vice Chairman, PepsiCo (retired) and Maria Sastre, President and Chief Operating Officer, Signature Flight Support. ELC member Julia M. Brown, Chief Procurement Officer, Carnival Corporation & plc, served as moderator. The group offered advice and recommendations for how Blacks and Latinos can get on corporate boards today. The panelists discussed their personal journeys to getting on the boards of some of the world’s largest corporations, including ITT Corp., Belk Stores, Kimberly-Clark and Publix Supermarkets, respectively, sharing past experiences, opportunities and challenges faced as people of color.

The evening concluded with a post-event cocktail reception where guests continued the conversation focused on the skills, strategy and path to board service.

The ELC’s CBI program is designed to prepare black executives for service on corporate boards. It builds awareness, improves readiness and enhances the visibility of ELC members who are interested in and actively pursuing board service. The Miami event is one of several quarterly CBI events that took place this year, including events in Silicon Valley, London, England, Martha’s Vineyard and an upcoming event on November 17 in Washington, D.C.

The ELC and Carnival & plc leadership with CBI Miami featured panelists.

CBI Miami panelists discussing multiculturalism on today’s corporate boards: (Left to Right) Moderator: Julia Brown; Panelists: Maria Sastre, Abelardo (Al) Bru Jerri DeVard and Orlando Ashford

Carnival & plc President and CEO, Arnold W. Donald delivering welcome remarks at CBI Miami