The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI) builds on national momentum as graduates from across industries and the state prepare for expanded executive impact
Pittsburgh, PA – On Friday, June 5, The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI) and Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business (CMU) celebrated a major milestone in leadership development as 51 professionals from across the country celebrated their graduation from TALI’s nationally recognized leadership development programs.
Held at CMU, the ceremony recognized a distinguished group of leaders representing corporate, nonprofit, government and entrepreneurial sectors. The event also marked the first combined graduation ceremony for participants in TALI’s National Executive Leadership Academy (NELA) and Emerging Leaders Program (ELP), now known as the Excellence in Leadership Program.
The graduation comes at a time when organizations across industries are increasingly focused on strengthening leadership pipelines, succession planning and workforce development strategies. Through executive education, mentorship, coaching, and peer networking, TALI equips leaders with the tools and relationships needed to navigate today’s evolving business landscape and drive meaningful impact within their organizations and communities.
“We are incredibly proud of this year’s graduates and all they have accomplished throughout their leadership journeys. Their talent, dedication and commitment to excellence continue to inspire the work we do at TALI,” said Evan Frazier, president and CEO of The Advanced Leadership Institute. “As they join TALI’s distinguished alumni community of more than 350 leaders, we celebrate this milestone and look forward to seeing the lasting impact they will make within their organizations, industries and communities for years to come.”
NELA and ELP represent TALI’s flagship, cohort-based programs. NELA, an executive development program for senior leaders, equips senior-level managers and executives to drive strategic impact, lead across complex global organizations, and navigate the future of business with confidence. While ELP, a professional development program for emerging and established leaders, strengthens critical leadership and management capabilities, equipping participants to elevate their impact – driving initiatives, leading teams, and stepping into the next level of leadership with greater effectiveness and readiness.
Course content for NELA and ELP is developed and delivered through an academic partnership with Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business, providing participants with access to a world-class executive education experience from a globally recognized business school.
“We are proud to continue partnering with TALI to deliver innovative content and perspectives that prepare leaders to address today’s complex challenges and opportunities. Participants in the 2026 National Executive Leadership Academy and Emerging Leaders Program have strengthened their leadership capabilities and are better positioned to create meaningful impact within their organizations and communities,
The keynote address was delivered by Herman E. Bulls, Vice Chairman, Americas – International Director, JLL. Mr. Bulls is a nationally respected business leader known for his leadership in commercial real estate, executive development and corporate strategy.
Congratulations to the 2026 National Executive Leadership Academy Graduates:
Abe Amawi – Director of Operations, First Energy Pennsylvania (PA)
Lindsey Brown – Global Head of Client Service Liquidity & Financing, BNY (NY)
Dr. Kris Brown – Director, Human Resources, Huntsville Utilities (AL)
Dr. Stephen P. Canton – Chief Resident Physician, UPMC (PA)
Imogene L. Cathey – Vice President and General Counsel, Seton Hill University (PA)
Aparna Chandramohan – Sr. Director, International Production & Sourcing, American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (NY)
Vanesha Coggins – Vice President, Corporate Compliance and Internal Audit, Akron Children’s Hospital (OH)
Kelly Dillard – Vice President, Talent Acquisition, Dollar Bank (PA)
Joan Eichner – Sr. Director, Operations and Evaluation, UPMC (PA)
Amera Gilchrist – Chief of EMS, City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety Bureau of EMS (PA)
Angela Gressem – Director of Hello Baby, Healthy Start (PA)
Alphonso Hall – Engineering Manager, Koppers Inc (SC)
Dawn Hannah – Chief Program & Impact Officer, Beyond Literacy (PA)
Tracy Hughes – Vice President, Human Resources – Global Freight Services, Wabtec Corporation (IL)
Robert Lewis – District Manager Director – Surface Operations, FedEx Corporation (TX)
Brian Long – Head of Adhesives and Sealants North America, Covestro (PA)
Mopewa Ogundipe – Senior Engineering Manager, Duolingo (NY)
Shoncey D. Prophet – Executive Store Leader, Giant Eagle Market District (OH)
Angelica Starkey – Manager, Workplace Culture and Community Engagement, UPMC (PA)
Judy Tipton – Executive Director, Playworks Michigan (MI)
Tatausha Webster – Director of Benefits, American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (TX)
Frank Wiley – Regional Business Leader, Giant Eagle (OH)
Gina Winstead – Vice President, Culture and Community, Carnegie Museums (PA)
Congratulations to the 2026 Emerging Leaders Program Graduates:
Brandon Bell – Manager, Financial Compliance, Wabtec Corporation
Melanie Marie Boyer – CEO, Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce & Foundation
Meisha Boykin – Assistant Vice President of Community Development, Dollar Bank
Dr. Alexus Brown – Development Manager, Healthy Start
Kenya Brown – Project Manager, Allegheny County Department of Human Services Area Agency on Aging
Gabriella Davis – Program Manager, Crossroads Foundation
Joshua Devine – Economic Mobility Officer, The Pittsburgh Foundation
Nikki Feagin – Grants Manager, The Citizens Science Lab
Albert Garcia – Director of Development and Corporate Partnerships, Neighborhood Learning Alliance
Gabrielle Green – Operations Analyst Intermediate, UPMC Corporate Services
Precious Jackson – Operations Analyst, FHLBank Pittsburgh
Uttam Kumar – Engineering Manager, American Eagle Outfitters
Keira Lee – Treasury Analyst, Bank of America
Nasha Magwood – Business Systems Analyst, PRT
Sidnee McDonald – Associate Attorney, Cozen O’Connor
Christopher Peace – Assistant Teaching Professor of Business Management Communication, Carnegie Mellon University – Tepper School of Business
Christopher Pierre – Client Service Representative, BNY
Rachee Powell – Manager Diversity and Inclusion, FedEx Corporation
Cody Rogers – Store Leader, Giant Eagle
DeAnna Santoro – VP, Enterprise Initiatives Manager, TriState Capital Bank
Weldianne Scales – Staff Attorney, Reed Smith LLP
Julius Shead – Senior Business Recruiter, Duolingo
Niko A. Simmons – Intermediate Care Facility Director / Operations Director / QIDP, Valley Community Services
Gabrielle Thomas – Client Project Manager, Highmark Health
Regina Wagstaff – Supervisor Division Orders, CNX
Beverly Wilkes Jr. – Grants Manager & Communications Specialist, McAuley Ministries
Cheriese Williams – Practice Operations Specialist, Allegheny Health Network
Terrel Williams – Program Manager, Homeless Children’s Education Fund
Applications are currently open for TALI’s 2026-27 National Executive Leadership Academy and Excellence in Leadership Program cohorts. Applications are due October 15. Our programs are open to people of all ethnic and racial backgrounds. For more information on how to apply, click here.
About The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI)
The mission of The Advanced Leadership Institute is to strengthen companies, institutions, and communities by cultivating leadership through world-class executive education programs tailored to support, develop, and retain Black leaders and their allies. TALI equips participants with the strategies, insights and networks needed to thrive. Course content for TALI programs is delivered through an academic partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, and programming is made possible through the support of major corporations and foundations in the Pittsburgh region, including Lead Founding Underwriters: BNY Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania and Richard King Mellon Foundation; Founding Underwriters: Eden Hall and Highmark Foundation; Excellence Partner: Henry L. Hillman Foundation; Lead Contributors: Giant Eagle Foundation and The Heinz Endowments; Contributors: The Buhl Foundation and The Pittsburgh Foundation; Presenting Sponsors: Giant Eagle, Highmark Health, PNC, UPMC; Gold Sponsors: American Eagle Outfitters, Buchanan, CNX, Covestro, Dollar Bank, Duolingo, Duquesne Light Company, FedEx Corporation, Koppers, PPG, and Wabtec; Silver Sponsors and Bronze sponsors, which can be found here.