About Us

In early 2021, the impetus to act in ways big and small to improve the representation of Black executives on corporate boards brought together a group of concerned business leaders.

The tragic events of 2020 highlighted the ongoing deep-rooted racism in the United States and brought urgency to addressing the challenge: How do we take action to diversify corporate leadership —beginning with the board? Many employees and shareholders are looking to their company’s boards to take meaningful action to support inclusion at all levels of the organization.

The Black Boardroom Initiative is part of the wider effort driving momentum for greater representation in leadership at for-profit organizations. The program is guided by a cadre of advisors, including business leaders and sitting board directors, and leaders, providing education, training and connection.

Our thanks to Damon Brown for creating the Black Boardroom Initiative logo. Damon’s work can be found at www.creativelou.com.

Advisors

Our advisors have championed the cause from inception and take a continuing role in guiding and developing the program.

Portrait Adriane Brown

Adriane Brown

Managing Partner, Flying Fish

Director: American Airlines Group, Axon, eBay

Portrait Kenneth-D-Denman

Kenneth D. Denman

Venture Partner, Sway Ventures

Director: VMWare, Motorola Solutions, Costco Wholesale

Portrait Tonie Leatherberry

Tonie Leatherberry

Director: Amfam, Zoetis

Portrait François Locoh-Donou

François Locoh-Donou

President and CEO, F5

Director: F5, Capital One

Portrait Karla Martin

Karla Martin

Managing Director, Deloitte Consulting LLP

Portrait Vanessa Pegueros

Vanessa Pegueros

Chief Trust & Security Officer, OneLogin and Venture Partner, Flying Fish

Director: BECU, Vouched

Portrait Stanley Porter

Stanley Porter

Vice Chairman, U.S. Energy Resources & Industrials Leader, and Principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP

Director, Deloitte USA LLP

Portrait Jessie Wooley-Wilson

Jessie Woolley-Wilson

CEO, DreamBox Learning

Director: Quizlet, BECU

Leaders

Our leaders take an active role in the management and execution of the program.

ROGER ARRIEUX headshot

Roger G. Arrieux Jr.

Deloitte

Portrait Pat Ogawa

Pat Ogawa

Deloitte

Krista Parsons

Krista Parsons

Deloitte

Tannisha Troutman

Deloitte

Portrait Keith Matthews

Keith Matthews

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Portrait Michael Parham

Michael Parham

RealNetworks

Portrait James Williams

James Williams

Perkins Coie LLP

Portrait Stewart Landefeld

Stewart Landefeld

Perkins Coie LLP

Dennis Hopkins

Dennis Hopkins

Perkins Coie LLP

Kallon Abdul headshot

Abdul Kallon

Perkins Coie LLP

Richard Ross

Richard Ross

Perkins Coie LLP

James Walker

Perkins Coie LLP

Portrait Florence Larson

Florence Larson

Deloitte

Tish Gasparich

Tish Gasparich

Perkins Coie LLP

Nominate a 2025 Program Participant Today! Nominations close on 2/15/25.

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