Mary E. Thigpen

Mary E. Thigpen has served as a director of Hope Bancorp, Inc. and Bank of Hope since August 2, 2021. She is an innovative strategic business executive and consultant with more than 38 years’ experience in the technology and communication industries, including cybersecurity, data management, and privacy strategies. Most recently, she served as Chief Executive Officer of OpsDataStore, Inc., a real-time analytic and artificial intelligence platform for IT Operations, and North Plains, Inc., a digital asset management software company. Earlier in her career, Ms. Thigpen served as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Innovation for Cox Communications, Inc., Managing Director of BearingPoint, Inc., and Partner for Arthur Andersen Business Consulting. She began her career with the Hewlett-Packard Company, where she led multiple global sales, marketing, and product teams. Recognized for her comprehensive experience spanning strategic planning, operations, product innovation, governance, and enterprise and systematic risk management, Ms. Thigpen has served in numerous board advisory roles. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors of Globe Life (NYSE: GL), a holding company specializing in life and supplemental health insurance for “middle income” Americans, and privately held provider of cloud-based enterprise software for planning and execution, AchieveIt. Previously, Ms. Thigpen served on the Board of Directors of Opus Bank, until it was acquired by Pacific Premier Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ: PPBI) in June 2020. She is an active member of the Atlanta community through numerous professional and civic organizations and as a volunteer board advisor for honorCode and MBL’s Haiti Initiative. Ms. Thigpen earned her B.S. degree in Mathematical Sciences at Clemson University.