These 26 pros are graduating from TALI’s 2023 Executive Leadership Academy

A prestigious leadership program for Black executives is graduating its latest cohort.

The Executive Leadership Academy, launched in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, is seen as The Advanced Leadership Institute’s (TALI) signature program. Black leaders who participate receive counsel from business experts, mentorship, and executive coaching over several months, with an eye toward professional development.

This week, TALI is celebrating its 2023 Executive Leadership Academy cohort’s graduation, which also marks the program’s fifth year in existence.

“Every year, we are encouraged and inspired by the wealth of Black talent that comes through TALI,” said Evan Frazier, president and CEO of The Advanced Leadership Institute, in a written statement. “The men and women that participated in the program represent some of our region’s top leaders and demonstrate that there is strong diverse talent in our companies and institutions.”

TALI also runs the Emerging Leaders Program, a similar professional development program designed to give “high potential” Black professionals in Pittsburgh a chance to advance their careers and receive mentorship, all while developing a sense of community with one another. The program has a long-term goal of keeping participants in the city. Members also get the chance to learn about managerial effectiveness and and sharpen their leadership skills.

The Executive Leadership Academy functions with support from the likes of the BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania, the Highmark Foundation and the Richard King Mellon Foundation. It also counts corporate partners including the Pittsburgh Penguins, PPG and many more.

Here are the graduating cohort members, with titles and organizations:

• Dr. Julius E. Abia, Internal Audit Manager – Projects, Wabtec Corporation
• Joel Acie, Deputy Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh
• Will Carpenter, Regional Security Manager, VP, BNY Mellon
• Tricina Cash, Executive Vice President, Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council
• Michael A. Cherry, Vice President of Human Resources, Dollar Bank, FSB
• Samantha Custard, Senior Corporate Counsel, Giant Eagle, Inc.
• Anthony (Tony) DaBreo, Regional Vice President, Northeast Region, Erie Insurance
• Laura C. Duncan, MHA, MHI, VP, Ambulatory and Home Care Operations, Cincinnati’s Children’s Hospital and Medical Center
• Dr. Tinamarie Estes-Washington, DNP, RN, PCCN, Director of Nursing, Equity Officer, Allegheny Health Network, Forbes Hospital
• Samantha Hartzman, Sr. Manager, ESG & Corporate Giving, Duquesne Light Company
• Della Hollins, SVP, Risk and Control Manager, Senior, PNC
• Elizabeth L. Hughes, Senior Associate Counsel, UPMC
• Russell Ivey, Head of Finance, Architectural Coatings US, PPG
• Calvin Jackson, Senior Technical Project Manager, B-Yond
• Ardana Jefferson, Chief Executive Officer, Homeless Children’s Education Fund
• Bobbie Jean Johnson, Senior Vice President/Director, Retail Technology Operations, PNC
• Danitra Mason, Controller, The Pittsburgh Foundation
• Delvina L. Morrow, Vice President, Community Affairs & DEI, Pittsburgh Penguins
• Michelle Porter, Director, One Northside, Buhl Foundation
• Angela Reid-James, Director, Workforce Operations, Highmark, Inc.
• Andrea Robinson, President, ARCLS Corp
• M. Shernell Smith, Associate Dean & Executive Director for the Center of Student Diversity & Inclusion, Carnegie Mellon University
• Patti Solomon, Sr. Human Resources Business Partner, Giant Eagle
• Sonya Tilghman, Executive Director, Hazelwood Initiative, Inc.
• Wendy Walker-Graham, Director, Quality Assurance and Operational Integrity, UPMC Health Plan
• Kellie Ware, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Allegheny County Bar Association

Atiya Irvin-Mitchell is a 2022-2024 corps member for Report for America, an initiative of The Groundtruth Project that pairs young journalists with local newsrooms. This position is supported by the Heinz Endowments.