MINNEAPOLIS (December 2, 2019) — Thrivent today announced that Herschel Herndon has been named the organization’s new chief diversity officer. Herndon will be responsible for developing and executing enterprise-wide diversity and inclusion strategies. He started in his role today.
“Herschel brings a wealth of leadership experience to the chief diversity officer role at Thrivent,” said Tina Smith, senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Thrivent. “In addition to enabling business growth, diversity and inclusion is essential to our company culture. It makes us a stronger organization that is well-equipped to serve our workforce, members and our communities.”
Herndon has served in a variety of diversity and inclusion roles throughout his career, including at Deluxe Corporation, Stanley Works and Best Buy Corporation. He has built global relationships, led market development and launched innovative human resources and global diversity processes in his previous roles. Most recently, as vice president and head of diversity and inclusion at Novartis, he executed strategic D&I initiatives to promote business growth and a strong diversity and inclusion culture within the organization. In addition, as president of HRH Global Connections, LLC, he has consulted with various businesses to help them grow and accelerate performance.
Beyond his corporate experience, Herndon has established strong relationships in the community and is passionate about outreach. He is an expert panelist for Global Diversity and Inclusion Benchmarks.
Herndon is originally from Corpus Christi, Tex. and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He currently resides with his family in Eden Prairie, Minn.
About Thrivent
Thrivent is a fraternal benefit society that helps Christians be wise with money. As a mission-driven, membership-owned organization, it offers its more than 2 million members and customers a broad range of financial products, services and guidance to help them obtain a life of contentment, confidence and generosity. Thrivent and its subsidiary and affiliate companies offer insurance, investments, banking and advice over the phone, online as well as through financial professionals and independent agents nationwide. Thrivent is a FORTUNE 500 company with $134 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/18). For more than a century it has helped Christians make wise money choices that reflect their values while providing them opportunities to demonstrate their generosity where they live, work and worship. For more information, visit