Redefining Leadership in 2026

Black leadership in corporate America continues to inspire transformation, innovation, and representation at the highest levels. Despite systemic barriers, these 10 trailblazing executives are proving that Black excellence in business is not an exception, it’s the future.

From Fortune 500 boardrooms to groundbreaking startups, these leaders are reshaping what leadership, wealth, and power look like in 2026.

1. Marvin Ellison: CEO, Lowe’s

As the only Black CEO leading a major retail chain, Marvin Ellison remains a force of strategy and stability. His leadership has steered Lowe’s through economic challenges with record profits and a strong focus on community rebuilding.
Why watch: Ellison’s continued push for equity and innovation in retail is setting a standard for inclusive corporate success.

2. Thasunda Brown Duckett: CEO, TIAA

Thasunda Brown Duckett, one of just two Black women leading a Fortune 500 company, has made financial empowerment her mission. She champions retirement security and wealth education for millions of Americans, especially within Black communities.
Why watch: Duckett is reshaping how Americans prepare for financial freedom.

3. Calvin Butler Jr.: CEO, Exelon Corporation

Calvin Butler leads one of the nation’s largest clean energy companies, pushing forward sustainability and equitable infrastructure.
Why watch: As climate change becomes an urgent issue, Butler’s leadership shows how equity and innovation can power the future.

4. Christopher C. Womack: CEO, Southern Company

Womack has brought a new vision to the energy sector, leading with purpose and a focus on diversity. His company’s clean energy initiatives have made waves across the South.
Why watch: His efforts to merge climate action with social progress make him one of 2026’s most influential corporate voices.

5. David Rawlinson II: CEO, Qurate Retail Group

Overseeing QVC and HSN, Rawlinson is redefining retail through storytelling, tech, and digital transformation.
Why watch: His mix of tech-forward thinking and brand reinvention is reshaping how consumers connect with products.

6. Toni Townes-Whitley: CEO, SAIC

A tech visionary and former Microsoft executive, Townes-Whitley is now leading SAIC into the future of digital modernization and AI-driven government services.
Why watch: She’s setting a benchmark for women in STEM leadership, and proving why Black women belong at the top of tech.

7. Alicia Boler Davis, CEO, Alto Pharmacy

With leadership experience from GM and Amazon, Boler Davis is revolutionizing healthcare delivery. Alto Pharmacy’s tech-first approach to prescriptions is transforming access to medicine.
Why watch: Her leadership bridges health equity and digital innovation.

8. René Jones: CEO, M&T Bank

As one of the few Black executives in mainstream banking, René Jones has turned M&T into a model of community-focused finance.
Why watch: Jones’ emphasis on small business growth and equitable lending makes him a cornerstone of ethical banking.

9. David Steward: Founder & CEO, World Wide Technology (WWT)

With a net worth in the billions, Steward built WWT into one of America’s largest Black-owned tech firms.
Why watch: His leadership continues to inspire entrepreneurs and diversify the tech industry from the top down.

10. Mellody Hobson: Co-CEO, Ariel Investments

A respected voice on Wall Street and beyond, Hobson leads Ariel Investments with purpose and precision. She’s also the first Black woman to chair the board of Starbucks.
Why watch: Hobson remains one of the most influential voices for corporate diversity and financial literacy in America.

The Future of Black Leadership

These CEOs aren’t just leading, they’re transforming. Each of them represents progress, resilience, and the brilliance of Black leadership across industries. As 2026 unfolds, their work continues to break barriers and redefine what it means to lead in America.

From the boardroom to the community, these leaders prove that excellence, innovation, and representation go hand in hand.