Business
Deborah Elam becomes GE Foundation president
Incoming General Electric Foundation President, Deborah Elam at a past event. PHOTO/File.
General Electric (GE) Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt announced last week the appointment of Deborah Elam as president of the General Electric Foundation and chief diversity officer for General Electric. Bob Corcoran, who currently leads the philanthropic arm of GE, has announced his retirement. Ms. Elams appointment is effective October 1, 2013.
Elam has been GE’s chief diversity officer since 2002. Prior to that, she was the managing director of Human Resources at GE Capital Commercial Finance. Previously, she held Human Resources roles in GE Consulting Services, GE Capital Mortgage Corp., GE Capital Insurance Services and GE Capital Markets Services. She joined GE in 1987 as an intern and is a graduate of GE’s Human Resources Leadership Program.
Elam was appointed a GE company officer in 2006, making her one of the most senior women in the company.
Elam holds leadership roles in GE’s African American Forum and the GE Women’s Network. She is a member of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC) – an organization of the top African Americans in Corporate America and the National Black MBA Association.
According to CEO Jeff Immelt, Deborah Elam was tipped for the position because of her proven ability to connect employees and drive GE’s impact both in the United States and around the world.
In her new expanded role, Elam will help bring GE employees closer to their communities while maintaining diversity and inclusiveness as an essential part of our productivity, creativity, innovation and competitive advantage.
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