Chenault, Kenneth Irvine
1951-present · Contribution: 1981-present
Became CEO of American Express in 2001, the third African American ever to lead a Fortune 500 company, and led the firm for 17 years including through the September 11 attacks and the 2008 financial crisis
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Quick facts
- Category
- Business & Misc.
Impact on the world
Chenault's steady leadership through two national crises reshaped one of America's iconic financial brands, and his tenure, one of the longest of any Fortune 500 CEO of his era, normalized Black leadership at the very summit of corporate America.
Sources
- Britannica
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