The Advanced Leadership Institute and Carnegie Mellon University Celebrate the 2024 Graduates of the Executive Leadership Academy

PITTSBURGH, July 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A new chapter is beginning for 21 impressive graduates of The Advanced Leadership Institute’s (TALI) Executive Leadership Academy. On July 19^th, TALI and its academic partner, Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business (CMU), will celebrate this milestone alongside the graduates with a ceremony at Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business. The event will feature a keynote address by TALI Advisory Board Member Dr. Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, SVP/Chief Clinical Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, Highmark Health and Allegheny Health Network, special remarks from Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, and fellowship with distinguished TALI and CMU stakeholders. The Executive Leadership Academy is an executive education program uniquely designed to address the challenges faced by Black professionals and help senior-level managers and executives advance in their careers.

“I continue to be amazed by the exceptional leaders who have come through the Executive Leadership Academy, and this year is no exception. I am extremely impressed by this year’s graduates, and I look forward to watching them continue doing great things to enhance Pittsburgh’s corporate and civic communities. Congratulations to all the 2024 graduates!  — Evan Frazier, President and CEO, The Advanced Leadership Institute.

“At Carnegie Mellon University, we are proud of our ongoing commitment to fostering leadership growth through the Executive Leadership Academy. Congratulations to these accomplished individuals who have completed this year’s program. — Isabelle Bajeux-Besnainou, dean and Richard P. Simmons Professor of Finance, Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business.

Congratulations to the graduates:    

John (Mamadou) Bah– Procurement Global Finance Director, PPG
Godfrey Bethea– Vice President of Equity, People, and Culture, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
Lyasha Bishop-Gaines- Executive Director, The Early Excellence Project
Donminika Brown- Chief Financial Officer, Pittsburgh Regional Transit
Brandon Grinage– SVP Regional Manager, PNC     
Donny Hamilton– Gateway Project Manager, Federal Railroad Administration
Alyssa Ford Heywood– Director, Performance Management, Pittsburgh Public Schools
Joyce Howard– Business Development Manager, Innovation Works
Jason Jones– Vice President of Community Development, Dollar Bank
Rick Mason– Executive Director, The Pittsburgh Project
Danielle Mundekis– Director of Inclusion, Eckert Seamans
Michael Nelson– Senior Manager of Corporate Security, Duquesne Light Company
Onome Oghifobibi- Assistant Professor and Director of Community Engagement, Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
J. Nicole Rhodes– Associate Legal Counsel, University of Pittsburgh
Kelly Russell– Assistant Director/Labor Compliance Officer, City of Pittsburgh
Tammy Sadler- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program Manager, Highmark Health/AHN
Tiffinnie Severin– Director, Enterprise Strategy, Highmark
LaShana Stokes– Chief of Staff, UPMC
Rachel Williams– Director, Content Program Management, Duolingo
Shani Yeldell– Community Relations Manager—Mentorship Academy, CNX
Michael Young– Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Associate Professor of Mathematical Science, Carnegie Mellon University

About The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI)

The mission of The Advanced Leadership Institute is to cultivate Black executive leadership to strengthen companies, institutions, and communities. It is facilitated through an educational partnership with Carnegie Mellon University and is supported by major corporations and foundations in the Pittsburgh region, including Lead Founding Underwriters: BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania and Richard King Mellon Foundation; Founding Underwriters: Highmark Foundation; Excellence Partners: Eden Hall Foundation and Henry L. Hillman Foundation; Lead Contributors: Highmark and The Heinz Endowments; Presenting Sponsors: Giant Eagle, Highmark Health, PNC, and UPMC. Gold Sponsors: American Eagle Outfitters, Bank of America, Buchanan, CNX, Covestro, Dollar Bank, Duquesne Light Company, FedEx Corporation, FHLBank Pittsburgh, Golub Capital, Koppers, PPG, and Wabtec Corporation; Silver Sponsors: Pittsburgh Legal Diversity and Inclusion Coalition; and Bronze Sponsors, which can be found on TALI’s website.

Learn more at www.taliinstitute.org

SOURCE The Advanced Leadership Institute, Inc.