Shundrawn A. Thomas, a graduate of Florida A&M University’s School of Business & Industry, is a leading figure in  asset management. Thomas became president of Northern Trust Asset Management on October 1.

Northern Trust provides investment management, asset and fund administration, as well as banking solutions to corporations, institutions, and individuals.

Northern Trust Chairman and CEO Rick Waddell applauded Thomas for his “leadership and a strong commitment to accelerating company performance and enduring principles: service, expertise, and integrity.”

“[Shundrawn’s] hard work, exceptional performance and ability to inspire others continue to have a significant impact on the success of our company,” Waddell said.

According to Thomas Haynes, FAMU Vice President for University Advancement, Shundrawn’s work has not only advanced the mission of Northern Trust but has also been a great asset to the university.

“Shundrawn Thomas has served as an ambassador to FAMU in Corporate America. His continued success and support of the university have served as a beacon of light to young minority men and women,” Dr. Haynes said.

“His accomplishments show them that the path to success can begin at an HBCU and that there is room for them to excel whether it is in downtown Chicago or on Wall Street,” said Haynes, noting that Thomas is the fourth African-American male to be promoted to executive vice president in Northern’s history.

Thomas serves on the FAMU Foundation Board of Directors. He received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from FAMU in 1995 and his master’s from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 1999.

“My education at FAMU was a vital contributor to my personal and professional development. The role FAMU has played in my career advancement is best captured in the university’s motto of ‘excellence with caring,'” Thomas said. “My broad experience at FAMU enabled the competence and the confidence needed to contribute and flourish in any professional environment.”

Thomas conveyed his passion for seeing more diverse leadership in the financial services industry.

“I have spent nearly all of my professional career in financial services. While I have personally benefited from attractive career opportunities, there remains a deep lack of diversity in the field. This is particularly true at the management level, where the representation of people of color differs little from when I first started in the industry in 1994. It is critically important that the financial services industry achieve greater diversity at the management level to take full advantage of the rich talent and perspective the global community offers. I am especially grateful for my time at FAMU and moreover the continued mission of the university to equip the next generation of diverse leaders.”