HEADQUARTERS: Northfield, Illinois
WEBSITE: www.kraftfoodsgroup.com
BUSINESS: Food and beverage
REVENUES: $19 billion
EMPLOYEES: 25,000
TITLE: EVP, Corporate & Legal Affairs, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
EDUCATION: BS, University of Iowa; MPP, JD, Harvard University
WHAT I’M READING: Killing Lincoln, by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
INTERESTS: Family, faith, public policy, travel

What lessons have you learned from business relationships?

People matter. Trust and integrity are key. Know your stuff.

How has the civil rights movement affected you personally?

My mom marched with Dr. King in Selma, Alabama, and it deeply affected her life and mine.

How do you give back to the African American community?

I regularly mentor young people and provide career coaching.

Have you ever experienced discrimination/barriers because of your ethnicity/background? How did that affect you and how did you overcome it?

Yes, I have overcome these experiences with a positive attitude, deep belief in a due north compass and tremendous family, friends and mentors.

Are there any words of wisdom you would like to pass along to our readers?

Your word is your bond. Be a lifelong, relentless learner. Treat people with genuine respect. Keep things in perspective. It is a journey, not a sprint. Live each moment along the way. Keep a healthy sense of humor.