Beam Suntory Names Victoria Russell Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer

09 November 2020

Chicago, IL, November 9, 2020 – Beam Suntory, a world leader in premium spirits, has named Victoria Russell as its first Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer.

“We are determined to build a workforce that looks more like our consumers, and we’ve set ambitious goals to accelerate the progress we’re making,” said Beam Suntory CEO Albert Baladi. “The people of Beam Suntory are passionate about continuing to build our diverse and inclusive culture, and we’ve created the position of Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer to elevate our approach. I’m delighted Victoria will take on this important leadership role, and I’m confident that she is the leader who can help take our work to the next level as she works hand-in-hand with our brand teams, Employee Impact Groups and leaders across the business.”

In this newly created role, Russell will join the company’s Senior Leadership Team and lead diversity and inclusion across talent acquisition, career development and employee retention, marketing, community relations, and building organizational capability to better recognize bias and further drive inclusive mindset. Russell will also support the development of diversity guidelines for the company’s supplier base and will work directly with Employee Impact Groups and leaders across the business.

Russell will report directly to Chief Human Resources Officer Paula Erickson with a dotted line to Baladi.

“We are very excited to welcome a D&I leader of Victoria’s caliber to Beam Suntory,” Erickson said. “She is a high-impact leader with a solid track record of performance not only across business, but also the community. Her talents and expertise will allow us to accelerate our efforts as we build a diverse and inclusive culture as a source of strategic competitive advantage.”

Russell joins Beam Suntory following a successful 14-year career at Louisville, KY-based Papa John’s International, ultimately being the first to lead Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the brand. In that role, Russell was credited with step-changing the company’s actions to build a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization comprised of 120,000 team members. Russell previously held marketing analytics roles of increasing responsibility, providing valuable insights into the business, and the customers and communities they serve.

“I am thrilled to be joining Beam Suntory at this critical moment for businesses, and for our society,” Russell said. “Beam Suntory's leaders understand both the economic and equitable benefits to fully embracing inclusivity as a strategic imperative, not just for our organization, but for our industry and society at large. I am honored to bring stewardship to this evolving journey."

Prior to Papa Johns, Russell held compensation and marketing roles at Lexmark, Humana, and Brown-Forman. She has been recognized as a “Woman Making a Difference,” and selected as one of Louisville’s 40 Under 40.

Her appointment is effective January 11th, 2021.

About Beam Suntory

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit https://www.beamsuntory.com and https://www.drinksmart.com.