April 23, 2010
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Deborah Elam is the Chief Diversity Officer at General Electric, Fairfield, CT. She leads efforts globally to ensure that all GE employees feel they have an opportunity to contribute and succeed. Deborah is a native of New Orleans, LA and an alumna of Ursuline Academy. She received a BA degree in sociology at Louisiana State University and a Masters of Public Administration at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. Her professional story started in 1986 when she worked at GE’s Global Exchange business as an intern while still in graduate school. Upon graduation in 1987, she joined GE’s Human Resources Leadership Program and had assignments at GE Global Exchange Services and GE Aviation. Upon completion of the training program, Elam was promoted to successively larger human resources roles in GE Consulting Services, GE Capital Mortgage Corporation, GE Capital Insurance Services and GE Capital Markets Services. In June 2000, Deborah became Managing Director, Human Resources at GE Capital Commercial Finance and was promoted to her current role in September 2002. In February 2006, GE’s Board of Directors appointed Deborah an officer of the Company. Deborah 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, National Black MBA Association and a number of other civic organizations. Deb has received numerous awards and commendations from international organizations for her professional and philanthropic work.