Merrill Lynch veteran Michelle Avan dies

Michelle Avan, a 23-year veteran of Merrill Lynch who recently became a senior vice president at Bank of America, was found dead in her Los Angeles home late last week. She was the mother of two and a grandmother.

Los Angeles police have arrested a suspect in connection with Avan's death, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times. Police told the L.A. Times that the exact cause of death is unknown but Avan appeared to have suffered trauma.

Avan, 48, recently became head of global women’s and under-represented talent strategy, global human resources for the bank, where she was responsible for its comprehensive strategy and efforts to attract, hire and retain diverse talent across the company.

“We are devastated,” Bank of America said in a statement to the L.A. Times. “Michelle was a valued member of our company for more than 20 years and will be greatly missed. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family.”

She was a recipient of Bank of America’s Global Diversity & Inclusion award as well as a co-chair of the company’s Black Executive Leadership Council business initiative. She also won a 2021 InvestmentNews Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award.