NBMBAA Pre-Conference Session-Panel Discussion

Our executive board leaders will share their expertise in a Pre-Conference Session to prepare NBMBAA members and guests to maximize their potential of attending the 2023 NBMBAA Conference. Guests will learn how to effectively prepare prior to the conference, maximize network connections during the conference and continue relationships afterward.

The Career Prep Session is an essential component of the NBMBAA National Conference, created with the goal of helping ambitious professionals like you make a lasting impact during the career expo. Whether you are a seasoned industry expert or a recent graduate, this event is tailored to provide valuable guidance and empower you to navigate the conference confidently.

Event Highlights:

Unlocking Career Expo Success: Learn from career experts on how to properly research companies beforehand, how to make a great first impression, how to establish touch points during the conference, and how to continue relationships after the conference. All proven strategies to excel at career expos. From mastering the art of networking to creating an impactful elevator pitch, you'll gain invaluable insights that will set you apart from the competition.

Interactive Q&A: Engage directly with our esteemed leaders during an interactive Q&A session. Get your burning questions answered and receive personalized advice on how to maximize your conference experience.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow attendees, members, and professionals from diverse industries. Forge meaningful connections that could open doors to exciting career opportunities.

Who Should Attend:

Attendees of the 2023 NBMBAA National Conference who are eager to make the most out of the career expo. Whether you are actively seeking job opportunities, looking to advance your career, or wanting to expand your professional network, this session is designed to benefit everyone.

Meet Our Experts:

Tyrone Ellis- Chapter President

Tyrone Ellis is a Technical Executive with more than 20 years of industry experience in global companies. He currently serves as Aftermarket Engineering Leader in one of the Strategic Business Units for Trane Technologies, a global climate innovator. He joined the company (Formerly Ingersoll Rand) in 2012. In this role, Ellis is responsible for developing and leading the deployment of technical solutions, circularity strategies, and lean initiatives for the Aftermarket business operating system in the Americas.

Before this role, Ellis held Executive positions in Corporate Engineering as well as Integrated Supply Chain and Quality in one of the Business units, winning the coveted Chairman’s Award as Global Leader of the year in 2016 for driving transformation in quality and customer performance.

Ellis earned a BS degree in electrical engineering from Clemson University and an Executive MBA from the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University. He holds professional certifications from SME, ASQ, PMI, and APICS. In addition, Ellis serves on the Enterprise Product Circularity Council for Trane Technologies and as an executive sponsor for STEM diversity initiatives. He also has served as a Board Director for several regional non-profit organizations such as the South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the prestigious National Black MBA Association – Charlotte Chapter.

Dr. Eduardo Haynes-VP of Professional Development

Dr. Eduardo Haynes has a rich history of over 25 years in financial services with IBM, Wachovia, Bank of America, Edward Jones, and over 17 years in higher education with affiliations with several Universities and serves as a Lead People Development Partner at Western Governor’s University. In addition, Haynes is the Managing Director of the Well Appointed Group.

A graduate of the School of Advanced Studies at University of Phoenix, he holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, an MBA from the Goldbold School of Business at Gardner-Webb University, and a BS in business from North Carolina State University. Haynes is also a certified Entrepreneurial Mindset Facilitator, Tuck School of Business Executive Education Alumni, and an Inclusion Institute Certified Diversity Practitioner.

JaCynthia Little-VP of Administration

As Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion JaCynthia leads the strategic direction and development of DEI initiatives and the oversight of community relations at MSC Industrial Supply, a $3 billion industrial distribution company.

JaCynthia is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of Human Resources experience, JaCynthia is known for turning ideas into innovation. In her current role, she has built a corporate development program for early career talent, brought in educational programs to increase DEI awareness, and built a communication and networking platform to embed a culture of inclusion. In her prior role, she served as a Senior Manager of DEI. In addition to advancing diversity goals, she was recognized for creativity, collaboration, and change management during the rollout of 6 resource groups and received recognition for MSC’s early career program as being one of the top 50 in the nation. Prior to joining MSC she served as a Site Employee Relations Manager at Convergys, an information management company. She was responsible for leading all human resources functions, mitigating risk, and developing retention strategies through employee engagement.

JaCynthia holds certifications from the University of Colorado, Boulder in Inclusive Leadership, Prosci (Change Management), Korn Ferry Leadership Architect and 360 Masterclass. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a concentration in HR and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Tonia Woodbury- VP of Corporate Partnerships

Tonia Woodbury joined BNY Mellon as Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Americas in July of 2022. She is responsible for driving regional DEI progress and impact across North and Latin America, including continuing to support the achievement of the U.S. Black and Hispanic/Latinx/o/a representation goals and strategy and contributing to the advancement of enterprise DEI operationally and across business solutions.

Tonia brings over 24 years of experience in financial and insurance services with expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion, supply chain management and marketing communications for high-growth companies. Her extensive skills include consulting, strategic leadership, implementation, negotiation, and facilitation. Tonia has held leadership roles in Corporate and Investment Banking Technology, Human Resources, Supplier Diversity, Employee Experience and DEI at Wells Fargo (and its predecessor companies) and Mass Mutual.

Tonia received a BS in Business Administration from South Carolina State University and an MBA in Marketing from Clark Atlanta University. She has been certified as a Supplier Diversity Professional (CPSD); holds an Institute of Supply Management (ISM) Project Leadership Certification; and a DEI in the Workplace certification from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business.

Marsha Smith-VP of Strategy and Growth

Marsha Smith possesses over 14 years of successful Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging (DIE & B) leadership experience at leading Fortune 1,000 and non-profit settings. She serves as a DIE & B strategic advisor, consultant to HR, business leaders, underrepresented communities, and non-profit partners as a conference presenter and workshop facilitator. Marsha shares power by being mindful of others' needs, lived experiences, and help individuals develop and perform to their highest potential by leveraging 360-stakeholder engagement while leading cross-functional teams on priority initiatives.

Marsha leads cultural transformation as an active certified D&I leader, Diversity Trainer, Speaker and change management practitioner, certified leadership trainer on efficiency DEI &B, Tall Poppy, and unconscious bias, as Safe Space workshop facilitator, SAFe Agilist and certified Scrum Master.

She has successful business leadership experience and expertise in program management, Agile, Scrum. and Kanban, project management, change management, strategy development, stakeholder engagement, executive presentation story-lining, and business operations.• Served as an Allstate Fellow serving as an organizational representative to CASEL. In this capacity she developed and delivered a performance system to assist the organization in its need to advance the delivery of performance management, communication, and evaluation of its employees. • Coached managers and leaders of messaging and delivery protocol in performance management evaluations.• Served as a strategy consultant to identify diversity gaps in mid-level pipeline talent efforts.o Served as a mentor coach to peers and leaders on impacts of community and unrest communication and employee engagement. o Safe Space Speakers series (Leading in Unfamiliar Spaces & What Would You Do)

Marsha received a Bachelor of Science: Global Management from Sacramento State and is a Master of Human Recourses Administration Candidate: Capella University. She also holds certificates in Diversity and Inclusion and Leading a Culture of Service Excellence from Cornell University.