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NEWARK, N.J.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Cheryl Spruill, a vice president in Enterprise Risk Management at Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), has been named one the aWomen Worth Watching in 2013a by Profiles in Diversity Journal.

"On top of all this, you must have personal integrity a" standing up for what is right at all times a" and a commitment to business ethics a" doing business the right way."

aCheryl is definitely a woman worth watching. She is a proven leader who is respected by her peers and by the companyas executive officers. She brings business vision, a strong work ethic, and a sense of urgency to her job,a said Mario Mosse, head of Operational Risk Management at Prudential. aIn addition, she is a sought-after mentor who is dedicated to helping other young women map out career paths. Her commitment to giving back is also demonstrated by her service as co-chair of the Black Leadership Forum, a business resource group for African American employees of Prudential. We couldnat be prouder of Cheryl.a

Profiles in Diversity Journal presents the annual WomenWorthWatching Award to honor women at organizations that recognize and promote women in the workforce. aThis yearas list of companies participating in our WomenWorthWatching Award is proof that the contributions and leadership skills of women are being recognized and supported,a said James R. Rector, publisher of Profiles. aSlowly but surely, progress is being made. These organizations have provided outstanding women with opportunities for leadership and advancement, each proving its role as a company that values and promotes women in leadership, which enhances workforce diversity and inclusion.a

Spruill joined Prudential in 1993 and assumed her current position when it was created in July 2011. She formed and leads a team of risk management analysts who execute testing procedures to ensure Prudential is compliant with the Sarbanes Oxley Act and risk management policies and programs. Previously, Spruill held a variety of leadership positions including vice president, Corporate Compliance, with management responsibility for the annual review and testing of Prudentialas broker-dealers and investment advisers; and vice president, Internal Audit, where she assessed key risks, helped design root-cause business solutions and was instrumental in developing strategies to meet and streamline Prudentialas Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.

Spruill has a BS degree from Rutgers University. She is a member of several professional organizations including the Executive Leadership Council - Next Generation Network; the National Association of Black Accountants; and Rutgers University Alumni Association. Spruill was featured in the October 2008 issue of Black Enterprise magazine for her career achievements and last year received a Multi-Cultural Leadership Award from the Tri-State Multi-Cultural Council.

aSuccess in todayas business environment requires sound judgment and innovative thinking. You must fully understand your industry and the trends that affect it. Corporate savvy and having a strong network of business colleagues are also crucial to effective leadership,a said Spruill. aOn top of all this, you must have personal integrity a" standing up for what is right at all times a" and a commitment to business ethics a" doing business the right way.a She added that cultural stereotypes of women often are echoed in the workplace and may cause unintentional discrimination. aI am aware of this and the impact it may have on me. Fortunately, I work for a company that takes inclusiveness very seriously so instances of gender-based misperceptions are less common at Prudential,a she said.

Profiles in Diversity Journal, now in its 14th year, is a bi-monthly magazine focusing on diversity and inclusion in business, government, non-profit, higher education, and military sectors. The focus of the Journal is on senior leadership, best practices, workforce diversity strategies, and recognition of employee contribution.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader with approximately $943 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2012, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudentialas diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment management. In the U.S., Prudentialas iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit [ http://www.news.prudential.com/ ]