By Sherry M. Adler
They are thinkers, doers and best of breed. Xerox leaders around the world are coming up winners. Here’s a brief account of awards bestowed on those who make us proud and help our company grow.
Bala Sathyanarayanan: Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business
Every year, the Asian American Business Development Center (AABDC) goes on a star search. Those chosen “represent a microcosm of the best of Asian American entrepreneurship and professionalism, with a pool of diverse and multi-talented individuals engaged in a wide range of business interests.” This year, AABDC selected Bala Sathyanarayanan, vice president, Human Resources & Business Transformation at Xerox. Bala says: “I feel honored to be recognized alongside other Asian Americans leaders. I am especially proud to represent Xerox. Xerox places a huge emphasis on diversity and is well known for its commitment. This award validates our dedication to building a diverse workforce that reflects the changing global business landscape.”
Armando Zagalo de Lima: Best International Leader Award
Who is the “Best International Leader” for 2014? Portugal’s Leadership Business Consulting group chose Armando Zagalo de Lima, corporate executive vice president at Xerox. The award recognizes Portuguese-speaking leaders who contribute to society, exhibit exemplary standards as well as work to inspire others. Armando fit all of the criteria. According to the organizing committee: “Armando Zagalo de Lima has everything we look for in a leader—the moral and ethical character, the vision, and the ability to drive innovation, transformation and results, and to attract, develop and retain talent.”
Don Liu: Legends in Law
The Burton Awards Program and the Library of Congress named Don Lui, chief counsel and secretary at Xerox, among this year’s “Legends in Law.” The 10 outstanding corporate general counsels selected work at corporations/businesses with gross revenues of more than $1 billion. But there’s more, a lot more. Other factors put under the microscope include: their reputation in the legal profession, demonstrated competence in a specialized area of law; and extensive background and experience. Add to that: the complexity and scope of matters handled; success in global or national issues; and exemplary leadership in law.
Ursula Burns: World’s 100 Most Powerful Women and World’s Most Powerful Black Women
It’s the “definitive annual guide to the extraordinary icons and leaders, groundbreakers and ceiling crashers who command the world stage” according to Forbes. This reference is to its list of the “World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.” Ursula Burns, Xerox chairman and CEO, sits at No. 22. Forbes notes: “In her five years as CEO, Ursula Burns has managed to make Xerox ─ once only known for its carbon copies [sic] ─ a viable and profitable company. This past year, she helped Xerox generate adjusted earnings per share of $1.09, up from $1.02 in 2012, and post $21.4 billion in full-year revenue.”
Within this list, Forbes compiled the “World’s Most Powerful Black Women.” Ursula takes a prominent place in this distinguished group of 12, which includes first lady Michele Obama and media mogul Oprah Winfrey.
Barbara Basney: 100 Inspirational Marketing Leaders
Executives who make the cut to get on The Internationalist’s “100 Inspirational Marketing Leaders” list are the best of the best in advertising and media around the world. The Internationalist says the following about them: “They are consistently moving business forward and are the champions of insuring that brands can cross borders with relevance and responsibility.”
Carol McFate: 2014 Top Small Corporate Pension Investor
Institutional Investor says of the Xerox chief investment officer: “In a world of shrinking corporate pensions and companies concerned more about risk than returns, it takes guts and know-how to successfully manage a plan. Carol McFate has both.” For this and others reasons, they bestowed the highly prestigious “2014 Top Small Corporate Pension Investor” upon Carol. About those other reasons: Not long after joining Xerox in 2006, she overhauled the company’s $4 billion-plus frozen pension plan, reduced the risk and implemented a liability-driven investing program. By 2009, Xerox was, once again, running the plan itself, with Carol and eight colleagues overseeing it.
