First Black Woman Executive Hired at American Express

Full story by Walker’s Legacy, by Isha Kamara

READ FULL STORY HERE!Screen Shot 2020-06-30 at 12.30.39 PM

American Express made history by appointing Glenda McNeal, the company’s President of Strategic Partnerships, to their Executive Committee. With this appointment, McNeal became the first black woman to serve on the American Express executive committee.

McNeal spent over 30 years climbing through the ranks at American Express working in the fields of sales and client management, business development, marketing, and strategy. Over the years McNeal has held various leadership roles at American Express including but not limited to: Assistant Manager to Vice President, Vice President, General Manager of New Industry Development, Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships, and General Manager of Retail & Emerging Industries. In her current role within Strategic Partnerships, she oversees the growth of the companies most critical partnerships which include: Amazon, Delta, Hilton, Marriott, and Paypal. Glenda McNeal also spearheaded ‘Stand for Small’, the American Express sponsored initiative that combined the efforts of approximately 70 companies to help small businesses repair and prepare for the lasting effects of COVID-19.

Outside of her work at American Express, McNeal is a member of the B.E. Registry of Corporate Directors. She also serves on the board of Nordstrom Inc., RLJ Lodging Trust, the World Travel and Tourism Council, and the United Negro College Fund. She is a graduate of Dillard University where she received her bachelor’s in Accounting. She later received her M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, she is also a member of the Executive Leadership Council.