Connie L. Lindsey

Connie L. Lindsey is a former Executive Vice President at Northern Trust, Chicago. She was the first African-American woman to be named Executive Vice President in the history of the firm. Prior to her retirement in November, 2021, she was responsible for the design and implementation of the global Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Development and Investments, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy. In addition to the development of goals, policies, and programs appropriate to the brand and business unit strategies; Ms. Lindsey provided oversight and leadership to the firm’s response to environmental matters as well as social issues, within the marketplace, workplace, and the community. Over the course of her Northern Trust career, she held several leadership roles, including Group Head in the Corporate & Institutional Services business, serving public fund and not-for-profit clients, Deputy Business Head in Operations and Technology, Group Head in Wealth Management, Director of Enterprise Relationship Management, and Manager in Treasury Management Consulting. 

Ms. Lindsey serves on the following civic and charitable boards; The American Cancer Society, Chicago Urban League, Chicago Community Trust, Leadership Greater Chicago, McCormick Theological Seminary, United Church Funds, Obama Foundation Inclusion Council, and WTTW. 

Ms. Lindsey is a former National Board President of Girl Scouts of the USA. She joined the Girl Scouts board in 2005. In 2008 she was elected National Board President, the highest-ranking volunteer of the 2.5-million-member organization. She served two three-year terms as National President from 2008-2014. In this role she provided guidance in three vital areas: policy, fund-raising, and leadership. She was an integral part of the Girl Scout transformation, committed to building and sustaining membership growth and ensuring girls receive a premier leadership development experience. 

Ms. Lindsey attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she majored in Business and has completed the Harvard Business School Executive Education Corporate Social Responsibility program. Ms. Lindsey is a licensed Qualified Administrator of The Intercultural Development Inventory®. Ms. Lindsey is a public and motivational speaker on topics of diversity, equity and inclusion, corporate responsibility, leadership, and personal and professional empowerment. She is also an Inroads, Inc. Alumna. Ms. Lindsey has been recognized for her leadership contributions by the Anti-Defamation League with the Woman of Achievement Award, Chicago Defender Women of Excellence Award, Chicago United’s Business Leaders of Color Award, Leadership Greater Chicago’s Distinguished Fellow Award, National Diversity Council’s Most Powerful and Influential Women Award, Women’s Bar Association of Illinois Advocacy Award, YWCA’s Outstanding Leader Award in Community Leadership and the Chicago Urban League Humanitarian Award.