Lumen Technologies, the winner of the best shareholder engagement (small to mid-cap) trophy at the 2025 Corporate Governance Awards, has named Jennifer Hodges as its new EVP and chief legal officer.
Hodges will take over from Mark Hacker who is retiring ‘to pursue a vocation in ministry, entering formation for the diaconate’ according to a press release from the company. He will stay in a supervisory role until May 15.
Prior to her promotion, Hodges served as SVP of corporate governance at Lumen. Before joining the company, she served as a managing director at telecoms company Liberty Global. Earlier in her career she spent over 12 years at McDermott Will & Schulte LLP.
‘I am excited to partner even more closely with Jennifer as she steps into the role of chief legal officer. She brings deep expertise, sound judgment and a strong understanding of our business and governance priorities and she will be a tremendous asset as we continue to execute our strategy,’ says Kate Johnson, CEO of Lumen Technologies.
Meanwhile, Nasdaq-listed Electrolux Group has announced that AnnaAlmén is joining the company as general counsel towards the end of the summer.
She succeeds Ulrika Elfving, who has been appointed general counsel at Investor AB. In her new role, Almén will report to Yannick Fierling, Electrolux Group CEO and be part of group management.
With over 20 years of experience in senior legal roles, she joins Electrolux from airline SAS, where she served as EVP and chief legal officer.
‘The legaldimensionof our businessenvironmenthas become much more complex over recent years.Anna’sexpertisewill help strengthen Electrolux Group and play a pivotal role in shaping our future.I’mpleased to welcome her to the group and group management,’ says Fierling.
Over at Howmet Aerospace, Jonathan Arena has joined the company as its EVP, chief legal and compliance officer and secretary.
Arena most recently served as VP and chief counsel at Huntington Ingalls Industries, a US-basedmilitary shipbuilding company. Before that he held senior legal roles at the like of The Boeing Company and NASA.
Staying in the US, Sodexo, a global food and services company, has confirmed the appointment of Orla Muldoon as general counsel, North America.
In this role, Muldoon will oversee the company’s legal, compliance and government affairs functions across the US and Canada.
She will report jointly to CEO for Sodexo North America Thierry Delaporte and Angelo Piccirillo, group general counsel.
Prior to her appointment, Muldoon worked for Archer‑Daniels‑Midland, where she spent more than a decade in senior legal and executive roles, including chief counsel for carbohydrate solutions, chief counsel for the EMEIA region, VP of global business development and M&A and most recently chief counsel for compliance risk management.
Before this, she held leadership roles at the Kellogg Company and Atlantic Industries (part of The Coca‑Cola Company), following several years in private practice with Matheson and McCann FitzGerald.
‘Orla is a proven leader with deep expertise navigating complex regulatory environments. As we continue to strengthen our operations and position the business for long‑term growth in North America, her leadership will be critical in ensuring we operate with rigor, integrity and consistency across our markets,’ says Delaporte.
Builders FirstSource, a provider of building materials, has named Alena Brenner as EVP, chief legal officer and corporate secretary.
Reporting to CEO Peter Jackson, Brenner will lead all legal, risk management, government affairs, compliance, corporate social responsibility and insurance functions for the company.
She joins Builders FirstSource from Cornerstone Building Brands where she served as EVP, general counsel and corporate secretary since 2021. Prior to this, Brenner held various legal leadership roles at the likes of Ryder System.
Elsewhere, Brown & Brown has appointed Eileen Akerson as its new chief legal officer, after serving this role in an interim capacity since January 2026.
‘Eileen has been a trusted leader and advisor at Brown & Brown, and her appointment as chief legal officer reflects both her deep experience and the high level of confidence we have in her,’ says Powell Brown, president and CEO.
‘She worked closely with Rob Mathis as he strengthened and expanded our legal organization, and she brings a steady hand, strong judgment, and a deep understanding of our culture as she builds on that foundation and supports our continued growth.’
Before her promotion, Akerson served as chief risk, regulatory and compliance counsel for Brown & Brown. Prior to this she spent more than 20 years at KBR in various legal leadership roles, including serving as EVP and general counsel.
Lastly, Robert Hickey chief legal officer, secretary and EVP at Nasdaq-listed Bowman Consulting Group has confirmed his planned retirement as of May 1.
Hickey has agreed to serve as a senior legal advisor to the companyuntil December 31, 2026. His replacement has not been confirmed.