Rhonda R. Mims, managing director, corporate social responsibility at Paul Hastings, LLP, was named chair, The Executive Leadership Council (ELC), extending through December 31, 2016.

 

ELC is 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.

 

“It is an honor for me to serve the members of this exceptional organization as chairman of its board of directors,” Mims remarks. “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.”

 

Mims succeeds Carla Harris, vice chair at Morgan Stanley, who served as ELC board chair 2014 – 2015.

 

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 environmental civil litigation attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice and as senior attorney with the National District Attorney Association's American Prosecutor's Research Institute.

 

The executive committee of ELC 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.