“We look forward to working with the 2026 Emerging Leaders Program cohort and remain excited about our role in supporting the growth of professionals as they gain the tools they need to succeed.” – Isabelle Bajeux-Besnainou, Dean, Richard P. Simmons Professor of Finance, Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business.
Following a robust application and review process, TALI and Carnegie Mellon University are proud to announce the 2026 Emerging Leaders Program cohort:
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 – Senior Research Scientist, Center on Race and Social Problems – School of Social Work – University of Pittsburgh
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
Dorian King – Cybersecurity Engineer, CORE Natural Resources
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
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; 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.
Source: The Advanced Leadership Institute
