Moving Up

Michelle Gadsden-Williams

Michelle Gadsden-Williams was named Norvartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.’s first African-American executive director for diversity and inclusion. Gadsdsen-Williams also is co-chair of the company’s internal executive diversity council. Prior to joining Norvartis, Gadsden-Williams held various positions at Merck & Co. Inc. in diversity, talent development, staffing, human resources and product management. She holds a B.S. degree in marketing and a B.A. degree in communications from Kean University in N.J.

Derek Holley

Derek Holley was promoted to director, National Field Exams, for Chase Business Credit. He has been serving in a similar role for the Northeast region and for JPMorgan Chase’s investment banking business. Holley’s team of about 70 professionals provides due diligence for asset-based, middle market and investment banking transactions, as well as selected ABS Conduit transactions. Holley is a certified public accountant who began his career with Arthur Andersen. He joined JPMorgan Chase predecessor Manufacturers Hanover in 1991 after serving as a field examiner with Citicorp.

Norries Wilson

Norries Wilson became the first Black head football coach in Ivy League history, taking over a Columbia University program that hasn’t had a winning season since 1996. Wilson replaces Bob Shoop, who was fired after posting a 7-23 record in three seasons. Prior to his appointment Wilson spent seven seasons as an assistant at the University of Connecticut and the past four seasons as offensive coordinator for UConn head coach Randy Edsall.

Arnold W. Donald
Arnold W. Donald was named president and chief executive officer of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, a leading charitable funder of diabetes research worldwide. He replaces Peter Van Etten, who retired in December. Donald joins the foundation from Merisant Co., a global consumer food products business he founded and whose products include the sweeteners Equal and Canderel.  Donald served at Monsanto Co. from 1977 to 2000, where he was senior vice president for growth, globalization and technology initiatives and president of the $4 billion agricultural sector business. A native of New Orleans, Donald received a B.A. from Carleton College, a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business.

Lernard Freeman
Lernard Freeman was confirmed as community executive for the American Cancer Society in Upper Manhattan, New York City. He had been serving as interim community executive since May. Freeman joined the American Cancer Society in 1999 as director of media relations. He earned a B.A. in communications from Kean University in Union, N.J.

Attahjundwe Obiajulu
Attahjundwe Obiajulu joined Sagemark Consulting as a financial adviser. A retired colonel in the U.S. Army, Obiajulu served in Vietnam and was activated for stateside duty during Operation Desert Storm. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Brooklyn College and an M.B.A. in finance from Pace University. Ten years ago, he founded the Long Island Wellness Network Inc., a nonprofit organization, to promote health education and awareness of health issues among the African, Latino and Asian-American communities on Long Island. Obiajulu received a distinguished service award from the United Negro College Fund. He is a member of the Long Island chapters of the Financial Planning Association and One Hundred Black Men of America.

E. Ramone Segree
E. Ramone Segree was named vice president and chief development officer for The Jackie Robinson Foundation. Segree will spearhead the foundation’s national fund-raising efforts in addition to expanding marketing and communications partnerships. Segree most recently was president of Segree Associates, a provider of fund-raising and strategic management services to clients in the philanthropic world. He helped to secure gifts of $4 million and $2 million for Fisk University and Roger Williams University, respectively. Previously, he served as senior vice president for institutional advancement at Meharry Medical College. Segree is a graduate of California University of Pennsylvania and holds a master’s degree from Pennsylvania State University.

Solomon B. Watson IV
Solomon B. Watson IV was promoted to senior vice president and chief legal officer for The New York Times Co. A member of the N.Y.T. Co.’s Executive Committee, Watson has served at the parent company, Times Co., as general counsel since 1989 and as a senior vice president since 1996. He was named a vice president of the N.Y.T. Co. in 1990. A member of the New York and Massachusetts bars, Watson was an associate in the Boston law firm of Bingham, Dana & Gould before joining the N.Y.T. Co. A 1988 graduate of the Amos Tuck Executive Program at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, he holds a B.A. in English from Howard University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. He is a member of One Hundred Black Men Inc.