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Cedric D. Thurman is a successful diversity and inclusion executive having led the diversity and inclusion function for BMO Harris Bank from 2014 to 2017 and for JLL from 2007 to 2010, and having served on the Editorial Advisory Board for Diversity Executive Magazine.
While at BMO Harris Bank, Cedric served as the US Head of Inclusion, where he led the redesign of BMO Harris’ enterprise resource groups by aligning their mandate to the business objectives of the organization; implemented a strategic planning process for the enterprise resource groups thereby creating more strategic focus to their objectives; redesigned the selection process for Executive Sponsors; and oversaw the launch of three additional enterprise resource groups. Cedric launched programs that increased the representation of women and people of color in senior levels, while also increasing engagement scores in the US. Cedric also launched programs to create engagement between executive leaders and senior people of color in order to generate sponsorship of this talent segment. Cedric also oversaw the redesign of the US compliance function for BMO Harris.
Cedric represented BMO Harris Bank on the Financial Services Pipeline Initiative Steering Committee, an industry collaborative designed to improve the representation of African American and Latino professionals in the financial services industry. Cedric also co-chaired the Retention and Development committee for the Initiative.
Prior to re-joining BMO Harris Bank in 2014, Cedric served as JLL’s first Chief Diversity Officer, where he created and implemented a multi-year, multi-phased strategic plan that defined, assessed, nurtured and cultivated a culture of diversity and inclusion. Cedric developed an award winning communications plan to support the diversity and communication strategy.
Cedric began his career at BMO Harris, spending nearly 10 years in a variety of roles from International Trade Finance, Community Development Lending, Branch Management & Development and working on special projects for senior leadership. During Cedric’s fourteen year tenure at JLL, Cedric also served as a senior in leader in office and retail brokerage capacities, as well as led HR strategy for the Americas region.
Cedric is very active in Chicago’s civic community. He currently serves on the Governing Board of UCAN; Board of Directors for Urban Initiatives; Central Division Board member for Junior Achievement of Chicago; University of Illinois College of Business Dean’s Business Council; University of Illinois College of Business Alumni Association Board, where he serves as treasurer; Leadership Greater Chicago Fellows Association Board; Chicago United Leadership Council member; member of the President’s Council for the Museum of Science and Industry; Co-Chair for the Museum’s Black Creativity program; previous Chair of the President’s Council as well as a previous member of the Board of Trustees for the Museum of Science and Industry.
Mr. Thurman has been recognized for his professional accomplishments by Diversity MBA Magazine as one of the Top 100 Executives Under 50, Savoy Magazine as one of the Top Diversity Executives, Kellogg School of Management’s Black Management Association as Alumnus of the Year, Chicago Defender Men of Excellence, UCAN Diversity Advocate of the Year and twice recognized in Who’s Who in Black Chicago.
Mr. Thurman holds an M.B.A. in Management Strategy and Marketing from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a B.S. in Finance from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
