Matthew French is the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager at Piedmont Airlines, where he champions a culture of respect, belonging, and representation. With a focus on innovative initiatives such as Employee Resource Groups and Community & Belonging Week, Matthew fosters inclusive environments that resonate across diverse audiences. A recognized thought leader, he skillfully navigates the complexities of modern workplaces by leveraging language to build collaboration and inclusivity, even in politically sensitive climates.
Matthew's impactful work has earned him accolades such as the 40 Under 40 recognition by Old Dominion University and the TGX Pitch Program Winner award from the Carolinas LGBT Chamber of Commerce. His commitment to creating transformative change extends beyond the workplace, as he empowers underrepresented communities through innovative leadership and a passion for building bridges of understanding and opportunity.

Piedmont Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of American Airlines Group, the largest airline in the world. Our airline was founded by Mr. Richard Henson in 1931 as Henson Flying Service, a fixed-base operator. In 1962 scheduled airline service commenced as Hagerstown Commuter. Today, Piedmont operates nearly 440 daily departures to 72 cities throughout the eastern United States and Canada. We currently operate the ERJ-145 aircraft. Our corporate headquarters is located in Salisbury, Maryland which is located about one hundred miles southeast of Baltimore, Maryland. Piedmont Airlines employs over 9000 aviation professionals.