DBT40 Honoree: Connor Peoples

Title: Corporate Communications Associate

Workplace: Sallie Mae

Age: 27

Connor Peoples was the first member in his family to graduate from college. Come spring 2022, he will be the first in his family to graduate with a Master’s in Business Administration. 

Peoples began his communications career at Sallie Mae, one of the largest employers in Delaware, as a social media intern while studying at University of Delaware. He landed a corporate communications position at the company upon graduating.

Peoples has served as a Sallie Mae spokesperson, has experience writing press releases, executive and internal communications, and is currently responsible for the content and strategy behind the consumer banking company’s LinkedIn and Twitter accounts.

The young social media expert has already been a part of several charitable efforts at Sallie Mae. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his broader team facilitated a $50,000 contribution from Sallie Mae to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware to provide academic support and one-on-one guidance for low-income students as they adapted to virtual learning.

Peoples was also part of a small team at Sallie Mae that launched the Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund for minority students and those from marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+, low-income and first-generation college students. Over the next three years, the program will donate $3 million to help nearly 900 young people access and complete college. Under Peoples’ leadership, the Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program was named a 2021 winner by PR News CSR & Diversity Awards and by PR Daily Corporate Social Responsibility Awards.

Peoples volunteers at several nonprofits in Delaware, including Delaware Humane Association and Faithful Friends Animal Society. When he’s not cheering for Philadelphia sports teams, he can be found at the local park with his dog, Moose. Peoples is an advocate for physical fitness, local breweries and putting ketchup on everything.