The Directors to Watch: Racial & Ethnic Diversity Class of 2024 highlights 22 significant and diverse directors who have contributed to and will continue to expand ongoing dialogue on board best practices and corporate governance excellence.
FRANCIS A. HONDAL
Director, Equitable Holdings Inc., Bath & Body Works
Francis A. Hondal is a seasoned global executive with over 30 years of experience in consumer marketing, technology, finance and international general management. She has held executive-level roles at American Express and Mastercard, leading business strategy, managing P&Ls, launching B2C & B2B products and services and developing strategic partnerships across banking, retail and travel sectors.
She serves on the boards of Bath & Body Works and Equitable Holdings Inc. and is a member of the Florida International University board of trustees. Hondal is a first-generation Cuban American and has been recognized as a top Hispanic executive in business across various organizations.
She earned a bachelor's degree in finance and international business and an MBA from Florida International University. She lives with her family in Miami, Fla.
Retaining talent goes beyond compensation strategies. “The growing importance of ensuring talent is part of the human capital and compensation committees' charter and agenda cannot be understated. Traditionally, the focus has largely been on executive compensation and incentive program design. Today, innovative compensation and retention strategies are required to attract and engage high-potential talent. This includes nonfinancial benefits, such as special developmental assignments. The refined focus also requires the board to understand workplace dynamics, employee engagement levels, leadership and technical skills gaps, evolving corporate culture and more to ensure the organization-wide talent strategy serves as a key catalyst of driving competitive differentiation and growth.”