Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Since its inception, The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI) has been using mentorship as a part of its model to educate, develop, connect, and position Black leaders for executive advancement. To demonstrate its sincere appreciation, TALI recognized its distinguished mentors at the 2023 Mentor Recognition Reception on October 10, 2023, at McCormick and Schmick’s (Downtown Pittsburgh).
TALI mentors play a critical role in the lives of cohort members selected to participate in the Executive Leadership Academy and Emerging Leaders Program. For TALI’s flagship program, the Executive Leadership Academy, business executives and organizational leaders volunteer their time to serve as executive mentors. For the Emerging Leaders Program, TALI Alumni from the Executive Leadership Academy pay it forward by serving as mentors. These mentors provide program participants with needed exposure, advocacy, and visibility—elements that support professional growth and help make Pittsburgh more equitable for Black leaders.
“The mentor/mentee experience that TALI provides is extremely powerful. We look at each cohort member’s background and aspirations to pair them with someone who can provide them with valuable guidance from a career and personal perspective. We are incredibly thankful for the individuals who have stepped into this mentor role, and this event was our opportunity to formally thank them,” says Evan Frazier, President and CEO, The Advanced Leadership Institute.
With National Mentoring Day coming up later this month, the celebration came at a perfect time. The Mentor Recognition Reception was attended by TALI mentors, alumni, and the broader TALI family. It was an opportunity for fellowship and celebration around the great work of TALI’s mentors.
Over 115 individuals have served as TALI mentors since 2019, and this year alone we had 52 mentors support our program participants. While TALI thanked all its mentors at the event, the five individuals that have served as Executive Mentors for five consecutive years received special recognition:
Christine Bryant- EVP, Global Head Tailored Urethane, Covestro AG
David Finegold- Program Officer, Golub Capital | Former President, Chatham University
Jerry MacCleary – Strategic Advisor, Knowde | Retired CEO, Covestro LLC
Greg Spencer – Managing Director, Spencer MacCleary & Associates
Kenneth Spruill – Managing Director, Center for Family Philanthropy and Wealth Education, Glenmede Private Wealth
To view TALI’s outstanding roster of all mentors, click here.
About The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI)
The mission of The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI) is to cultivate Black executive leadership to strengthen companies, institutions, and communities.
TALI is supported by major corporations and foundations including Founding Underwriters: BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Highmark Foundation, and Richard King Mellon Foundation; Excellence Partners: Henry L. Hillman Foundation and Highmark; Lead Contributors: BNY Mellon, Eden Hall Foundation, and The Heinz Endowments. Presenting Sponsors: Giant Eagle, Highmark Health, PNC, and UPMC. Gold Sponsors: American Eagle Outfitters, Bank of America, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, CNX, Covestro, Dollar Bank, Duquesne Light Company, FedEx Ground, FHLBank Pittsburgh, Golub Capital, Koppers, PPG, and Wabtec Corporation; Silver Sponsors: Pittsburgh Legal Diversity and Inclusion Coalition; and Bronze Sponsors, which can be found on TALI’s website.
To learn more about The Advanced Leadership Institute, visit www.taliinstitute.org