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Fireside Chat with John Russell

Fireside Chat with John Russel, VP and CIO, Northrop Grumman

For our upcoming BEM Elite Fireside Chat, we are excited to feature John Russell, Vice President and CIO of Northrop Grumman, who has over seven years of experience leading the company’s digital transformation.

With a focus on strategy, innovation, and capability development, he has been instrumental in improving the technology experience for employees across the organization and driving modernization efforts that ensure agility and security in Northrop Grumman’s operations.

Throughout his career, he has held critical roles in areas such as infrastructure architecture, enterprise risk management, and solution development, including leadership positions at Leidos and SAIC.

His expertise spans cloud computing, cybersecurity, and large-scale systems integration, where he has implemented advanced technologies to drive efficiency and innovation in highly complex environments like the defense sector.

During the fireside chat, we will explore his journey as a leader in the tech and defense industries, discussing challenges he’s faced and the strategies he used to overcome them.

He will also share insights on making tough technology decisions that balance short-term goals with long-term security, and how the role of the CIO is evolving with the integration of AI, cybersecurity and data analytics in today’s rapidly changing technological landscape.

Corporate Icons Dinner

Corporate Icons Dinner, New York City, 2025
Empowering decisions will be made for
The future of corporate Black men.

Senior executives.
30 member cap.

#BEM #Icons #Dinner

Community Updates

Executive Insights: Attracting and Retaining Black Male Talent

Job Seekers Fit into Three Categories

Job seekers fit into three categories.
Specialists, generalists, and desperate...
Here's the difference:

Specialists are:

• Highly-paid
• Accept top offers
 
Generalists are:

• Paid average
• Accept mid-offer
 
Desperate are:

• Paid least
• Accept any offers

It's hard times for many job seekers out there who need to pay your bills.

While many brothers are swimming in ideal offers in this economy.

Hit the market unprepared and you’ll hate your next role.

Become a specialist and get ideal job offers.

Position for success with:

-Great headshots
-An Interview coach
-A Negotiations coach
-Professional resume writer
-LinkedIn professional writer
-Knowing your Impact statement
-Dominating your social presence
-Being referred internally for roles
-Nailing your Professional mission
-Mastering your networking campaign
-Showcasing executive communication
-Highlighting your 5-step results method
-Positioning yourself as a thought leader
-Presenting success stories with numbers

Job hunting is a different skill than job doing.

Read that again to make sure it sinks in.

Then make sure you're the best.

📌 Ps. If you're an impact-driven black man looking for an executive coach to help you land your next role, then my 1:1 coaching could be perfect for you.

BEM Gold Testimonials

Black Executive Men Gold
Future Senior Executives
For corporate managers and directors

Donnie Royal
Executive Director Facilities, Revance
 
"My name is Donnie Royal.
 
I'm a pharmaceutical executive, consultant, business owner, and entrepreneur with over 28 years of diversified experience working along some of the most notable Fortune 500 companies in the world, such as Sprint, Synovus Bank, and AbbVie, just to name a few.
 
BEM Gold has been very impactful to my career.
 
As a member, I have instant access to other African-American men in senior leadership roles, and our interaction fosters an atmosphere of reflection on our challenges as Black men in the corporate sector, as well as our successes and failures.
 
BEM promotes daily huddles, fireside chats, interactive assignments, elite coaching and mentorship from C-level professionals who are committed to assisting every member in building a roadmap to the ultimate goal of making it to the top, the C-suite of our profession."
 
Act now.
 
Take control of your path to senior leadership.

BEM Elite is our premiere offering for Black men seeking the highest levels of access, networking, and care.

If you’re looking to surround yourself with the most driven, successful, and polished Black men in corporate America, then you want to apply for in BEM Elite.

The BEM Gold Membership Network is a high octane community for the top 1% of Black male managers and directors aiming for senior executive roles.

Membership includes very direct and no nonsense coaching via group chat, live video monthly group coaching, and live mentor session from Black men in senior executive roles at leading corporations, and exclusive in-person networking events.

This network isn't to help you as an entrepreneur, real estate agent, day trader, or anything other than climbing the corporate ladder to the very top.

BEM Gold has a $2,000 annual membership fee or a $250 monthly membership fee.

BEM Capital Network is for Black men in private equity, who are looking for authentic friendships, in person regional mixers, and online educational experiences led by other Black men.

This network is designed to unlock your social and financial success to new heights.

BEM Capital Network application and membership is currently free. 

BEM Community provides authentic friendships, meaningful connections, and career support to Black men at all stages and phases or their career journey.

A powerful network building social bonds and unlocking new jobs, new careers, new clients and more.

This community doesn’t just support career success, but a real sense of ‘community’ too.

BEM Community is completely free and will remain free.