Michael Thorne-Begland

Michael Thorne-Begland is Vice President & Chief Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Officer for Altria Client Services. In his role, Michael has responsibility for the inclusion, diversity and equity work that is central to how Altria will achieve its 10-year Vision of responsibly leading the transition of adult smokers to a non-combustible future.

In 2018, Michael became Altria's first Chief Transformation Officer and helped drive and facilitate the cultural and business changes necessary to win in the future. For nearly ten years prior to assuming the Transformation role, Michael led Altria's Brand & Trade Channel Integrity department, which is responsible for helping Altria's companies protect the integrity of their brands and the legitimate trade channels through which they are distributed and sold. Michael began his career with Altria in 2004 as an attorney in the Law Department advising on counterfeit and contraband tobacco issues.

Prior to joining Altria, Michael practiced law with the firm Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP in Richmond, Va., specializing in international corporate and commercial matters.

In 2014, Michael helped found Mosaic, Altria's employee resource group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) employees, which he led for three years.

Michael graduated from the College of William & Mary and the T.C. Williams School of Law. Michael currently serves on the Board of Directors for Side by Side, an organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQ youth in central Virginia. Michael also serves on the Board of Governors of Saint Catherine's School and the Board of Directors for Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia.