DALLAS, June 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Comerica's
Senior Vice President of Business Affairs and Chief Diversity
Officer Linda D. Forte has announced
her plans to retire in August 2016
following a 42-year career with the bank. Comerica Senior Vice
President of Talent Acquisition Nathaniel
Bennett has been named as Comerica's new Chief Diversity
Officer, reporting to Megan D.
Burkhart, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources
Officer. In addition to his new responsibilities, Bennett will
continue his role as the leader of Talent Acquisition at Comerica,
which will allow for strong synergies.
"I have been blessed with a career in which I could fulfill my
passion to empower others," said Forte, who has helped define and
drive business strategies to establish Comerica as a leader in
diversity and work life practices. "It has been a privilege to help
raise appreciation and support for the diverse members of our
community, as well as make our communities better through corporate
contributions and volunteerism."
"Under Linda's leadership, Comerica has contributed millions of
dollars to nonprofits in the communities we serve, provided our
colleagues meaningful community volunteer opportunities, and driven
our diversity program forward, making it one of the best and most
recognized in the country," said Ralph W.
Babb, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
"Diversity and community involvement are core values at
Comerica. As Chief Diversity Officer, Nathan will reinforce our
deep commitment to a diverse workforce, community and customer
base. This fits perfectly with Nathan's focus on talent
acquisition, since we know that when our workforce truly reflects
the demographics of our markets, we will better serve our
customers, grow our business and build an even stronger
organization," Babb added.
Linda Forte
Among Forte's significant accomplishments during her 42-year career
with Comerica, which began in 1974, are the:
- formation of employee teams designed to develop and nurture
business relationships with diverse business owners, professionals
and community influencers;
- development of employee networking groups, which coordinate
hundreds of professional development opportunities for colleagues
while supporting communities the bank serves through volunteer
projects and events;
- launch of the bank's well regarded Master of Diversity
Awareness program, which supports understanding of the value of an
inclusive workplace environment; and
- annual reporting of thousands of volunteer hours in the bank's
"Comerica Cares" program, which has received national recognition
for its impact on communities served.
Forte, in addition to her service on a number of boards, has
earned considerable recognition during her tenure with the bank,
including as a recipient of the 2014 Michigan Roundtable for
Diversity and Inclusion Annual Humanitarian Award, as the 2014
Michigan Women's Foundation Woman of Achievement and Courage, and
as a 2013 Inductee into the "Academy of Distinguished Alumni" for
Bowling Green State University. She
also was recognized in 2016 by Black Enterprises' "Top Executives
in Diversity." For a complete listing of Forte's board service and
community recognition, please see here.
Nathaniel Bennett
Bennett, who has 12 years of experience in financial services and
nearly 20 years of experience in recruitment and selection, joined
the bank as a vice president of Corporate Human Resources in 2009,
responsible for the bank's Texas
market staffing. He has been involved with Comerica's diversity
program ever since, most recently assisting the bank's employee
resource network groups, including its Veteran Leadership Network,
in attracting veteran and other talent to Comerica. Bennett was
promoted to senior vice president in 2010, with responsibility for
all Talent Acquisition at Comerica. Previously, he worked in
financial services and with three major retailers, assisting all
with their talent acquisition strategies, executive recruiting and
sourcing needs, among other responsibilities. He earned his
bachelor's degree in political science from Rice University in Houston, Texas.
"When I joined Comerica, I recognized immediately the robustness
and vigor around our diversity and inclusion efforts, and I am very
enthusiastic about carrying that baton forward. Like Linda and the
Comerica management team, I believe in fostering an environment
that celebrates the wonderful differences among our colleagues and
customers, thereby making us a stronger company," said Bennett.
Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services
company headquartered in Dallas,
Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments:
The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica
focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be
successful. In addition to Texas,
Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in
several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. Comerica reported total assets of
$69.0 billion at March 31, 2016.
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SOURCE Comerica Incorporated