Lincoln Financial Group Expands Diversity and Inclusion Organization, Names Brandy Smith Vice President, Workplace Diversity & Counsel

Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE: LNC) announced today that Brandy Smith has been named vice president, Workplace Diversity and Counsel – part of the organizations ongoing expansion of its Diversity and Inclusion function. Smith will report to Allison Green Johnson, senior vice president, Chief Diversity Officer.

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Lincoln Financial Group expands Diversity and Inclusion organization, names Brandy Smith Vice President, Workplace Diversity & Counsel.

In her new role, Smith will provide strategic leadership to drive the implementation and execution of enterprise-wide workplace Diversity and Inclusion initiatives. She will partner with leaders across the organization to drive Lincoln’s work in support of its recently-announced commitments and actions to advance racial justice and equity within the company, the country and the communities Lincoln serves.

“Brandy shows a strong passion for the work of Diversity and Inclusion and I am excited about her addition to our team,” said Allison Green Johnson, senior vice president, Chief Diversity Officer. “Her promotion and transition to the team will allow us to meet our company’s growing needs around diversity and inclusion and employee engagement. With her assistance we will expand diversity in our people and ideas, continue bolder and more candid conversations about issues that are important in building a more inclusive culture, and use data and actionable insights internally to make sure that we are staying true to our commitments.”

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Over the past five months the role of Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace has significantly expanded, as Lincoln has proactively responded to supporting racial equity. In response to the company’s enterprise actions, Lincoln plans to expand the Diversity and Inclusion function further to meet the company’s growing needs around Diversity and Inclusion and employee engagement. In addition to naming Smith to the team, Lincoln is in the early phases of recruiting for several other roles to expand the team. The expansion will allow Lincoln to consistently reinforce the its commitment to diversity and inclusion by ensuring focus and purpose with action plans, visibility, and accountability across leadership and the organization.

Formerly, Smith served as assistant vice president and Chief Compliance Officer & Counsel for Group Protection for the company. She has held several positions of increasing responsibilities since joining Lincoln in July of 2012. A passionate advocate for Diversity and Inclusion, Smith recently spearheaded Lincoln legal department’s involvement in Diversity Lab’s Mansfield Rule, a program that measures Diversity and Inclusion for the legal department’s top roles, high visibility projects and outside counsel representation.

Smith holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a J.D. from Creighton University School of Law.

“I couldn’t be happier for Brandy or more pleased that she is being promoted into this new role,” said Tom Waldman, vice president, Chief Counsel, Group Protection. “With her passion for justice, strong leadership skills, valuable perspectives and legal expertise, I’m confident she will be an excellent addition to the Diversity and Inclusion Team.”