#USA #Pittsburgh #Advanced Leadership Institute #Carnegie Mellon University #Executive Leadership Academy

A Celebration of Leadership and Empowerment

On June 27, 2025, The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI) along with Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business (CMU) will recognize the remarkable achievements of the 2025 Executive Leadership Academy (ELA) graduates. This event marks a significant milestone as it celebrates the seventh cohort of a program dedicated to enhancing leadership skills and creating impactful leaders, particularly among Black executives and their allies.

The Executive Leadership Academy is a rigorous six-month program tailored for senior-level managers and executives. This initiative aims to tackle the unique challenges faced by Black leaders, offering them unparalleled resources that include high-quality educational instruction, executive coaching, and peer networking opportunities. The recent graduates have emerged equipped with enhanced skills, perspectives, and practical tools, all designed to foster both business success and positive community impact.

At the commencement ceremony, participants will hear from key figures including Evan Frazier, the President and CEO of The Advanced Leadership Institute. He expressed his pride in the graduates, stating, "Congratulations to this year's Executive Leadership Academy graduates! The 21 talented cohort members signify not only the wealth of impressive executives in our region but also the growth of the TALI Alumni Network, which now boasts over 300 high-performing leaders. We are eager to witness their personal and professional growth in the coming years."

Adding to the event, Isabelle Bajeux-Besnainou, Dean of the Tepper School of Business, remarked on the importance of the partnership between TALI and CMU, outlining how this collaboration produces innovative content essential for nurturing leadership success. She stated, "We celebrate the completion of the 2025 Executive Leadership Academy Cohort. These individuals are now better prepared to thrive in all their professional endeavors, making significant contributions to their communities and industries."

The ceremony will occur at Carnegie Mellon University, a fitting location that symbolizes academic excellence and collaboration. TALI alumna Dina Clark, who serves as the Senior Vice President for Inclusion and Engagement at Skanska USA Building, Inc., has been invited to deliver the keynote address. Clark's insights will provide inspiration to the graduates as they embark on their next chapters.

This year's cohort consists of an impressive lineup of 21 leaders:

• - Mike Belgrove, Chief Human Resources Officer, Life'sWork of Western PA
• - Kwame Burroughs, Senior Director at UPMC Health Plan
• - Kiel Chapman, Production Manager, PPGL
• - Lauren DeDomenic, Deputy Chief of Staff, Allegheny County
• - Sherlyn Harrison, Chief Program Officer, Pittsburgh Scholar House
• - Kashif Henderson, Executive Director, Neighborhood Learning Alliance
• - Tinisha Hunt, Chief Executive Officer, Macedonia FACE
• - Ja-Neen Jones, CEO, TRAC Services for Families
• - Denise McGill-Delaney, COO, Gwen's Girls
• - Tere McKinney-Bundy, Associate General Counsel, Form Energy
• - Jacques Moye, Attorney, Clark Hill
• - TaJane Nolen, Director of Product Management, American Eagle Outfitters
• - Sierra Parm, Operations Director, A. Philip Randolph Institute
• - Kendra Ross, Head of Social Impact, Duolingo
• - Gizelle Sherwood, Director of Chemistry Studies, CMU
• - Jada Shirriel, CEO, Healthy Start, Inc.
• - Juel Smith, Associate Dean, CCAC
• - Sylvia Smith, Director of Operations, Highmark
• - Tony Thompson, Counsel, Dollar Bank
• - Yalanda Wells, Commercial Banker, Bank of America
• - Latasha Wilson-Batch, Executive Director, Best of the Batch Foundation.

As we look ahead, the Executive Leadership Academy will integrate with the National Executive Leadership Academy (NELA) in 2026. This expansion allows for new applications for the upcoming cohort. TALI is reaching out to senior-level managers and executives with at least ten years of experience across various sectors, encouraging them to apply before the October 15 deadline.

The Executive Leadership Academy continues to empower leaders of all backgrounds through comprehensive training, insights, and connections needed for executive advancement. TALI’s mission remains focused on supporting the development of Black leaders and their allies, ensuring that its programs remain competitive and inclusive.

For those interested in learning more or applying, detailed information can be found on TALI's website: TALI Institute.

This celebration is not just about academic achievement; it's about fostering a community of leaders who will influence and uplift others in their professional journeys. Thus, the event on June 27 is a significant reminder of the importance of leadership development in our diverse society.