Alexandria, VA (March 2, 2016) — Rhonda R. Mims, Managing Director, Corporate Social Responsibility at Paul Hastings, LLP, has become Chair of The Executive Leadership Council (ELC), the preeminent national organization comprised of current and former black CEOs, senior executives, entrepreneurs, global thought leaders and board members of Fortune 1000 and equivalent companies. The focus of the organization is the development of a pipeline of global black executives for C-suites, corporate boards and global enterprises. Her term as chair extends through December 31, 2016.

“It is an honor for me to serve the members of this exceptional organization as chairman of its board of directors,” Mims said. “It is particularly gratifying as we celebrate The ELC’s 30th Anniversary this year and take stock of the progress made over the last three decades and challenges of advancing global black leadership in the C-Suites and on the boards of major corporations. ELC members include several CEOs, dozens of board members and hundreds of executives who are prepared for the highest leadership responsibilities in business.”

Mims succeeds Carla Harris, vice chair at Morgan Stanley, who served as ELC Board Chair 2014 – 2015. “Carla is a tough act to follow,” added Mims. “She served on the board for many years as Treasurer and Vice Chair, and brought an incredible level of energy, discipline and creative genius to move the organization forward and achieve our strategic goals to increase the representation of black leaders in an inclusive, multicultural business environment.”

In her role as Managing Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Paul Hastings, LLP, Mims is responsible for the global social responsibility strategy for the firm. She has oversight for the firm’s diversity and inclusion strategy, charitable giving, pro bono/volunteer efforts, and environmental sustainability.

Prior to her current role, Mims was President of the ING U.S. Foundation and Senior Vice-President for corporate responsibility for ING U.S. / Voya Financial. She previously served as ING U.S. PAC treasurer, ethics officer, and conducted government affairs on behalf of the company. Prior to that role, she was counsel with the ING U.S. litigation team, overseeing the management of outside counsel on litigation matters, and a territorial sales manager for ING based in Fairfax, Va. Prior to joining ING, she served as an environmental civil litigation attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice and as a senior attorney with the National District Attorney Association’s American Prosecutor’s Research Institute.

“We are proud of Rhonda’s appointment as Chair of The Executive Leadership Council,” said Seth Zachary, Chairman of Paul Hastings. “We have witnessed her passion for The ELC’s mission of increasing representation by minorities in corporate C-suites and on corporate boards and her determination to work with her colleagues on the board and The ELC’s strategic partners to accomplish the organization’s goals.”

Mims also currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Thirty Percent Coalition, the Citizen’s Committee for the Children of New York, and was Immediate Past Chairman of The Executive Leadership Foundation.

“Rhonda’s dedication to The ELC has become more and more evident over the years as she supported our leading philanthropic initiatives generating over $2 Million in scholarships and sponsorships for the next generation of global black leaders,” said Ronald C. Parker, President and CEO of The Executive Leadership Council. “We are delighted that she has been named chair of the Council Board of Directors and she is the right person to guide us during this historic period as we celebrate our 30th Anniversary and chart our course for the future.”

The Executive Committee of The Executive Leadership Council Board of Directors includes Vice Chairs Orlando Ashford of Holland America Line and Ehrika C. Gladden of Cisco Systems, Inc., Secretaries Valerie D. Lewis of The Albertsons Companies and Jeffrey G. Webster of Exxon Mobil Corporation, and Treasurers Lloyd W. Brown II of Citi and Arlene Isaacs-Lowe of Moody’s Investors Service.

About The Executive Leadership Council:

The Executive Leadership Council, an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation founded in 1986, is the pre-eminent membership organization committed to increasing the number of global black executives in C-Suites, on corporate boards and in global enterprises. Comprised of more than 600 current and former black CEOs, board members and senior executives at Fortune 1000 and Global 500 companies, and entrepreneurs at top-tier firms, its members work to build an inclusive business leadership pipeline that empowers global black leaders to make impactful contributions to the marketplace and the global communities they serve. For more information, please visit www.elcinfo.com.