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“Marva Smalls’ approach to leadership has been both visionary and generational,” said The ELC President and CEO Michael C. Hyter . “She has built a career defined by integrity, innovation, and relentless service. Her influence spans media, policy, business, and advocacy, and we are honored to celebrate her extraordinary legacy.”

Before her tenure in media, Smalls served in government as chief of staff for Congressman Robin Tallon, becoming the first African American to hold that role for a white Southern member of Congress. Her impact continues across sectors as she serves on numerous national boards, including the James Beard Foundation, the International African American Museum, the Heisman Trophy Trust, and Synovus Bank.

Through her Marva Smalls Endowment, she has awarded more than $3 million to programs benefitting youth and families and endowed $1 million to help create the Ronald E. McNair Center for Aerospace Innovation and Research.

Smalls joins an esteemed legacy of trailblazers and past ELC honorees, including Kenneth Chenault, Ursula Burns, Thasunda Brown Duckett, Marvin Ellison, Carla Harris, Richard Parsons, Robert F. Smith, John W. Thompson, and Rosalind Brewer.

ELC Gala Week: A Celebration of Enterprise Leadership

The ELC Recognition Gala is the culminating event of ELC Gala Week , the organization’s signature gathering of corporate executives, emerging leaders, scholars, and global change agents. Held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, the week includes six high-impact programs-such as the Honors Symposium , Mid-Level Managers Symposium , and strategic forums for CEOs, C-suite leaders, and ELC Members. In 2025, these programs will bring together more than 3,000 participants for leadership development, strategic engagement, and celebration.

At the heart of the gathering is the Honors Symposium , a multi-day, invitation-only program that prepares ELC Scholars for executive pathways through workshops, mentoring, and executive immersion. The Gala is the ELC’s most important fundraising event, recognizing outstanding leaders and enabling the organization’s work year-round.

Investing in Future Leaders: The 2025 ELC Scholars

Now in its 30th year, The ELC Scholarship Program is one of the organization’s most impactful initiatives. In 2025, ELC awarded $2 million to 102 undergraduate and graduate students, 70 percent of whom attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Scholars represent a wide range of academic disciplines, with concentrations spanning business and management, technology and computing, health and natural sciences, engineering and innovation, and the arts and humanities.

The 2025 class also marks the introduction of the Ronald C. Parker Legacy Scholarship, honoring ELC’s late President and CEO, whose enduring impact continues to shape future leaders.

ABOUT THE ELC

The Executive Leadership Council is an independent non-profit founded in 1986 that opens channels of opportunity for the development of global executives to positively impact business and our communities. Learn more here .

SOURCE The Executive Leadership Council