Brenda Gaines

After 16 years of service, Brenda J. Gaines retired as president and CEO of Diners Club North America, a member of Citigroup. During the last five years of her tenure, Gaines was responsible for leading the global 29 billion-dollar Citigroup Diners Club International Payment Systems Brand. She served on the Diners Club International Global Board and formerly the Citibank Canada Board of Directors. Gaines held a number of positions with Diners Club and Citigroup, including executive vice president of Corporate Card Sales, senior vice president, Government Business for Diners Club, and senior vice president, Residential Lending for Citibank, FSB. Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities, she is a highly respected, thoughtful, and savvy business leader who shares her years of experience with audiences nationwide.

Building a City. Prior to joining Citibank, Gaines served as deputy chief of staff to Chicago's mayor, Harold Washington. She was responsible for the implementation of mayoral initiatives, development of policies and goals, and co-management of the daily operations of the city's 42 operating departments. She also served as commissioner of the department of housing for the city of Chicago and held a series of increasingly responsible positions at the regional level for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Gaines serves on the board of directors for Fannie Mae, Nicor Inc., Office Depot, Inc., and Tenet Healthcare Corporation. She also serves on the board of the Chicago Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors. Until her retirement, she served as a mentor for MENTTIUM 100SM, and on the board of trustees for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, World Business Chicago, and the executive committee of Junior Achievement of Chicago.

Gained Praise, Gave Back. Gaines has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognition, including being recognized by Travel Agent Magazine as one of the most powerful women in the travel industry. She received the 1999 Volunteer of Year award from the Boys & Girls Club of Chicago, and the Anti-Defamation League honored her with the Woman of Achievement award. In 2002, Fortune magazine recognized Gaines as one of "The Most Powerful Black Executives in America," and Black Enterprise Magazine included her as one of the "Top Fifty Blacks in Corporate America." In 2003, The New York Times featured Gaines in "The Boss" column, and in 2004, Ebony magazine named Gaines in "15 at the Top In Corporate America." Crain's Chicago Business recognized her as "100 Most Influential Women," and she received the Women's Foodservice Forum's 2004 Trailblazer Award. Gaines was also honored by her alma mater, Roosevelt University, with the Otto Wirth Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Brenda Gaines speaks wholeheartedly about making a difference, and imparts the lessons her parents first taught her. In her words, "You can be anything you want, just do your best."