Lynette Bell, President of the Truist Foundation, on strengthening small businesses, developing career pathways for economic mobility and why philanthropy is fueling the marketplace of ideas.
Find out how the Truist Foundation is co-creating programs, building the body of evidence, and how they are convening national non-profits in the US and also bringing the public sector and the corporate space into the field to drive forward positive systemic change.
The Trusit Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Truist Financial Corporation – the 6th largest bank in the USA and a purpose-driven financial institution committed to ensuring communities have an equal opportunity to thrive.
Lynette has been at Truist for her entire career, spanning more than 30 years. Working at the foundation has been the most fun she’s had during this time, and it’s given her an opportunity to co-create ideas and solutions and to use data to help drive and influence the strategy moving forward.
About Lynette Bell
Lynette Bell is president of Truist Foundation, an organization committed to empowering communities and creating lasting change.
With a passion for philanthropy and more than three decades of experience in the financial-services sector, Bell spearheads strategic philanthropy investments that inspire and build better lives and communities nationwide. Bell is dedicated to building strong partnerships with a wide variety of innovative nonprofit organizations, with a focus on supporting small businesses and fostering economic mobility.
Most recently, she introduced the organization's first multi-year signature initiative, Where It Starts—a $22 million collaborative project aimed at creating long-term change for entrepreneurs and job seekers. Bell also pioneered the Truist Foundation Inspire Awards, a celebration of bold technology and big ideas in support of small businesses.
Previously, Bell served as enterprise community reinvestment act officer for Truist predecessor SunTrust, leading the bank’s community development program to support underserved communities.
In her more than 30-year career with SunTrust, she held leadership positions in operations, regulatory affairs, bank examinations and compliance. Bell’s passion for creating positive change has been recognized through various accolades, including earning the Trailblazer Purpose Award from the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals and Spirit of Philanthropy Award from Usher’s New Look, being named a Woman of Influence by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, and receiving the Presidential Award—Unsung Heroine issued by The Coalition of 100 Black Women, Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter. Beyond her contributions to Truist Foundation, Bell serves on the board of directors for Connect Humanity, Living Cities Foundation and Purpose Built Communities.
Bell’s dedication to service shines through her roles as a founding member of the Carolinas Asset Funders Network, as an active member of the American Bankers Association, International Women’s Forum Carolinas and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and as a social impact speaker for numerous conferences and events including Council on Foundations, The Funders Network and the FDIC, among others.
She received her bachelor's degree in finance from Florida State University.