Congratulations to Beam Suntory Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Victoria Russell for being named to the Diversity MBA Media Top 100 Under 50 Executive Leaders.

Victoria made the Diversity MBA Media list for reaching specific benchmarks and making a difference in her industry.

Celebrating corporate America's most admired leaders

Recognition from Diversity MBA Media is uniquely special because candidates must have an advanced degree or certification, can only receive the recognition once, and must be age 50 years or younger.

“Our class of Top 100 Under 50 executive and emerging leaders continues to be the brightest and most admired leaders in corporate America and large organizations. I find that the leaders of today are more intentional than ever before,” said CEO of P & L Holding Co., Pamela McElvane, which includes Diversity MBA Media Group.

“They are clear on what impact they want to make and how to do it. These leaders have demonstrated community commitment and are unapologetic about driving change in their realm. They influence others to be the best they can be while creating ways to stay relevant and innovative. These are the leaders of today and tomorrow."

Leading diversity and inclusion within Beam Suntory

Part of Beam Suntory's Senior Leadership Team, Victoria Russell [pictured above] leads diversity and inclusion across talent acquisition, career development and employee retention, marketing, community relations, and building organizational capability to better recognize bias and further drive inclusive mindset. She also supports the development of diversity guidelines for the company’s supplier base and champions Employee Impact Groups and leaders across the business.

A successful and impressive career

Before joining Beam Suntory, Victoria had a successful 14-year career at Papa John’s International, ultimately stepping up during difficult times in 2018 to become the first to lead Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. In that role, she was credited with step-changing the company’s actions to build a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization. Victoria previously held marketing analytics roles of increasing responsibility, providing valuable insights into the business, and the customers and communities they serve. Prior to Papa John’s, Victoria held compensation and marketing roles at Lexmark, Humana, and Brown-Forman and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and a M.B.A in Marketing from the University of Kentucky.

Recipient of multiple awards

Victoria serves on several nonprofit boards including the Louisville Chamber, Leadership Louisville, Fund for the Arts, and the YMCA. She has also received numerous awards including Woman Making A Difference by Louisville Business First, featured in Business Journals’ Influencers: National Rising Stars and selected as one of Louisville’s Forty Under 40. 

Other accomplishments include University of Kentucky Lyman T. Johnson Torch of Excellence Award, founding member of the Adweek D&I Council and named of one the Adweek & Adcolor 2020 Champions of D&I. Victoria was also named to the Executive Leadership Council, honored as a Muhammad Ali Center Daughter of Greatness and featured as Today’s Woman – Most Admired Woman.

Join award-winning women leaders like Victoria at Beam Suntory 

Beam Suntory women like Victoria are forging successful careers and are recognized leaders in their field.

Advance an impressive leadership career at Beam Suntory.

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