Meet the 24 grads of TALI’s first Emerging Leaders Program for Black Pittsburghers

Twenty-four newly trained leaders hope to shape the future of Pittsburgh’s economy.

Last week, The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI) honored the first graduating class of its newest leadership development program, the Emerging Leaders Program. The institute aims to cultivate Black leadership in Pittsburgh across sectors, while this new program focuses specifically on development of “high potential” Black leaders who have a minimum of three to five years of professional work experience.

This first class of 24 graduates largely includes individual contributors and early managers. Following graduation, these leaders will have access to the growing network of alumni support through the institute, in addition to continued executive development programing. The Advanced Leadership Institute also offers an Executive Leadership Academy, which focuses on the development of Black leaders with at least 10 years of professional work experience.

The Emerging Leaders Program was created through a partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, with representative’s from the Tepper School of Business speaking at last week’s celebration for the graduates. The program also worked with the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University and Robert Morris University to provide relevant faculty and expertise.

“The 2022 Emerging Leaders Program graduates represent TALI’s commitment to support and cultivate the next generation of Black leaders,” TALI President and CEO Evan Frazier said in a statement. “Over the last seven months of training, our cohort members have been exposed to diverse topics and alumni mentors that will help them climb the organizational ladder and impact the community in powerful ways. Congratulations to each rising leader who committed to this journey!”

This first graduating class is composed of 24 pros across industries such as healthcare, tech, entrepreneurship, energy, education and retail. Here are each of their names, companies and positions:

• Deo Alexander — Supervisor Distribution Engineering, Duquesne Light Company
• Nisha Blackwell — Founder, Knotzland
• Jerrelle Boston — Senior Business Analytics Consultant, PNC
• Ja’Lisa Brown — Benefits and HRIS Manager, Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh
• Jimyse Brown — Founder & Educator, Hidden Gyms/Cross Culture Sports & St. Edmund’s Academy
• Judah Constant — Senior Claim Manager, UPMC
• Calvin Edwards — Senior Financial Analyst IT & Retail Innovation, Giant Eagle
• Marrissa Gillcrease — Marketing Operations Specialist, Giant Eagle
• Owen Gombami — IT Audit Manager, FHLBank Pittsburgh
• Glenn Grayson — Senior Program Manager for Real Estate Development, Neighborhood Allies
• Ange Loiseau — Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Covestro
• Lynette Mahan — Settlements Manager, Vice President, BNY Mellon
• Amber Makokele — Manager of Growth, Highmark Wholecare
• Hattie McCarter — Equity Management Coordinator, Department of General Services: Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunity
• Kristian McCloud-Semaia — Senior HR Business Partner, PNC
• Philip Montgomery — Customer Success Manager, HM Health Solutions
• Paris Norman — Global Process Owner, Covestro
• Tashawna Rodgers — Assistant Manager, Field Marketing, Giant Eagle
• Allison Russell — Senior Program Manager, Value Realization, Enterprise Effectiveness, Highmark Health
• Natalee Smith — Technical Product Manager, Coatings & Adhesives, Covestro
• Patriece Thompson — Director of Investor Relations, Allegheny Conference on Community Development
• Natalie Thurman — Manager, Human Research Protections Office (HRPO), Allegheny Health Network
• Adam Wade — Community Resource Officer, Carnegie Mellon University Police Department
• Nefertiti Wade — Health Equity Program Officer; Public Health Technician, Deloitte Services LP; PA Air National Guard