Breaking Down Barriers to Build Opportunities with JPMorgan Chase: Meet Fred Royall, National Head of Diverse Businesses

April STEM Month is a celebration dedicated to promoting and raising awareness about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. GlobalMindED is proud to highlight the voices and work of influential STEM leaders and the difference they are making in the world. All of our colleagues in consulting, banking and finance have strong mathematical skills and abilities as well as cross-disciplinary leadership. 

Frederick Royall III is the National Head of Diverse Businesses at JPMorgan Chase & Co. Commercial Banking, leading a team of dedicated bankers to support the growth and meet the unique needs of diverse business owners across the country. Fred earned his undergraduate degree from Syracuse University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.  

JPMorgan Chase is a GlobalMindED sponsor and we are grateful to have their leaders like Fred participate in our work and our Board to support inclusive leadership from college students to graduates to managerial ranks to the C-Suite.

What is your personal/professional story? What key moments in your life led you to where you are today? 

I started my career in investment banking and, as a young analyst, worked on a team that took roughly 300 companies public. Of those 300, only three had executive teams who looked like me. That ratio – a mere 1% – stayed with me. I decided then that I wanted to take action to make a difference. 

I spent the next decade honing my skills at business school and working at bulge bracket firms before finally opening my own boutique investment firm dedicated to supporting diverse-owned businesses. As the business continued to grow, I determined that I needed a like-minded partner to help me scale and have an even greater impact. That brought me to JPMorgan Chase & Co.. 

Today, as National Head of Diverse Business for JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking, I am wholly focused on empowering diverse entrepreneurs and breaking down barriers to growth. We have created a dedicated banking team that works intentionally to help diverse business owners access financial resources, expertise, and further build their networks—because we know that a trusted banking relationship is a critical resource in the growth of a business. We’re not only empowering diverse businesses, we’re driving economic growth. 

We deliver the full force of JPMorgan Chase to help serve the unique needs of founders from the very earliest stages through to international expansion, exit, and beyond. We provide deep industry expertise, tailored solutions and digital platforms to help their companies run and grow efficiently. 

Where does your passion to serve come from? 

Discrimination and systemic inequities have long inhibited diverse entrepreneurs’ ability to gain access to critical resources, including capital. This not only limits their growth, but research shows it has also made business ownership in the U.S. unrepresentative of the overall population—one of the many factors contributing to the racial wealth gap. This is why it is imperative for leaders across industries to be intentional in how they support and engage business ecosystems. For every dollar spent with diverse suppliers by major corporations, $2.1 in total economic impact is generated, according to research from the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business. A separate report from the National Minority Supplier Diversity Council found that certified minority-owned businesses generate $396 billion in annual economic impact. 

Breaking down barriers to opportunity is an essential part of building a more productive and equitable system that drives job creation, builds stronger communities, and generates wealth. And this transforms communities and business ecosystems. My team’s work at JPMorgan Chase, whether it’s advising a company’s leaders, connecting them to resources, or playing even a small role in their success, is what pushes me to keep innovating for clients. 

How does the mission of GlobalMindED align with your own goals? 

Inclusivity and equality can only be achieved when we act intentionally—and mentorship is a key component of intentional work. Organizations like GlobalMindED bring that to life. 

Helping a young person navigate the next phase of their life, get a full picture of the opportunities available to them, and see around corners based on the lessons learned is critical not only to the success of that individual but also to the community that surrounds them. Impact comes in many forms. I work every day to break down barriers and uplift diverse business owners, but equally as important is mentoring and guiding our young people who will create positive change in our world for generations to come.  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Royall Capital Holdings, LLC.; Blaylock & Company; Credit Suisse First Boston