Torod Neptune
Torod Neptune joins UNC Hussman as an assistant professor after more than 25 years of executive experience advising Fortune 500 companies, CEOs and corporate boards on stakeholder value creation, reputation management and organizational transformation.
Neptune most recently served as senior vice president and chief communications officer at Medtronic, where he led global corporate marketing, communications, brand strategy and corporate responsibility. He has also held senior leadership roles at Lenovo, Verizon and Bank of America, and has served as a strategic adviser to global brands including Nike, GSK, Mastercard and Delta Airlines while working at global integrated agencies including Weber Shandwick, WE Communications and Hager Sharp.
His professional focus includes the evolution of the chief communications officer role; the integration of data and analytics in communications strategy; and the role of business in advancing stakeholder capitalism.
He holds an M.S. in communications management from Syracuse University and a B.A. in government and international relations from the University of South Carolina, with a minor in journalism and mass communications. Neptune has been recognized as one of the “Most Influential Executives in Corporate America” by Savoy Magazine and was inducted into the North Carolina Media & Journalism Hall of Fame in 2020. Most recently, he was named to the PR Week Power List 2025.
At UNC Hussman, Neptune will teach courses in communications management and strategic leadership, bringing a global perspective and deep industry insight to the classroom.
Education
- M.S., Syracuse University
- B.A., University of South Carolina