Sherry Graziano Head of Digital Banking & Contact Centers at Truist
Sherry Graziano Head of Digital Banking & Contact Centers at Truist Sherry Graziano is the head of digital banking and contact centers for Truist. She is responsible for delivering clientcentric experiences, leads multi-channel acceleration and innovation strategy, and delivery for retail, small business and wealth client segments utilizing client journey architecture. Her scope includes driving revenue through digital commerce and phone-based sales, driving digital adoption and engagement, and focus on distinctive contact center interactions. Prior to this role, she served as the director of digital commerce, where she led the implementation of innovative client facing digital growth strategies for the enterprise including retail and small business deposits, card, lending and wealth solutions. Graziano joined SunTrust in 2011 and has held several positions in Mortgage including retail loan consultant, sales strategist, operations leader, and transformation leader. Graziano has served in the banking industry for more that 20 years and has held positions at PHH Mortgage, MetLIfe Home Loans, and Bank of America. In 2019 HousingWire Magazine recognized Graziano as a top Woman of Influence in the industry. As a spokesperson, she has shared her expertise with top media outlets including CNBC, MSNBC, Nightly Business Review, Wall Street Journal, National Mortgage News, Scotsman Guide, MReport, and Realtor.com. Graziano is a graduate of the 2015 MBA Future Leaders Program and the SunTrust Insights Leadership Program. She earned her bachelor's degree from University of Florida and master's degree from Rollins College. She currently serves on the Truist Women’s Business Resource Group Executive Steering Committee, focusing on programming for professional development of women at the enterprise level. She is also active with the Human Rights Campaign, and passionate about creating inclusive environments.
Katie Collett News Anchor at WAVY-TV 10/FOX 43
Katie Collett News Anchor at WAVY-TV 10/FOX 43 Katie Collett joined the WAVY-TV 10/FOX 43 News team in August of 2007. She began as a weekend reporter and worked just about every shift before being promoted to the morning anchor position in 2012. She is now the morning and midday anchor. Her anchoring duties include WAVY News 10 Today from 4:30-7am, WAVY News 10 at 7 a.m. on FOX43 from 7-9am, and WAVY News 10 Midday from 12-1pm. While at WAVY, Katie has contributed reports to a number of Emmy Award winning newscasts. She was also nominated for an Emmy for her investigative report on a local child who could not stop sneezing. In 2012, Katie was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She is very public about her battle with the disease and does all she can to raise awareness about MS and the need to find a cure while making medications affordable. While Katie works closely with the Multiple Sclerosis Society year round, she is also passionate about the March of Dimes: March for Babies, the American Heart Association, the Breast Cancer Foundation, and many more amazing organizations.
Jazmin C. Mullen-Allen, Esq. Founder of JMA Law, PLC As a newly established law firm, JMA LAW PLC has been serving the Hampton Roads area with measurable success. We pride ourselves on a deep tradition of excellence, ensuring only the highest quality service. We understand the challenges and pressure that comes with every case and are here for you, every step of the way. Dependable, calm, and well spoken, our principal attorney, Jazmin Mullen-Allen, adds the personal touch our clients deserve while approaching each new case with the attention it needs. She comes alongside our clients to help them navigate the legal process without fear. Jazmin not only provides representation, but also education and guidance as our clients deal with their delicate legal matters.
Kim Harding Community Branch Banking Market Executive at Truist
Kim Harding Community Branch Banking Market Executive at Truist Kim Harding is an Executive Vice President and serves as the Community Branch Banking Market Executive for Truist Financial Corporation. She oversees branches in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C., North Carolina and West Virginia. She is responsible for the implementation and execution of the branch’s sales, service strategies and financial performance as well as creating an engaging environment that empowers teammates to learn, grow and have meaningful careers. She joined Truist in July 2002 through the Leadership Development Program and has served over 20 years in several impactful retail leadership roles including Retail Lending Officer, Branch Leader, Area Leader and Retail Region Leader. Passionate about living our Purpose, Mission and Values, she truly believes that her purpose is to inspire and be a role model to others and that anything is possible. One of her favorite quotes/personal affirmation is "You are Enough!" Harding earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business from James Madison University. When she isn't working, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and traveling. Truist Financial Corporation is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspire and build better lives and communities. With 275 years of combined BB&T and SunTrust history, Truist serves approximately 12 million households with leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country. The company offers a wide range of services including retail, small business and commercial banking; asset management; capital markets; commercial real estate; corporate and institutional banking; insurance; mortgage; payments; specialized lending and wealth management. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is the sixth-largest commercial bank in the U.S. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com
Stephanie Gorham President and CEO of Volunteer Hampton Roads Stephanie Gorham is a seasoned nonprofit executive with over 20 years’ experience in Texas and Virginia. She received her bachelor’s degree from Midwestern State University, and is currently working on her MBA from Virginia Wesleyan University. Volunteerism, board service especially, has been an important part of her life as she has served on 11 nonprofit boards since 2009, currently serving Hampton Roads Workforce Council and Southeastern Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster boards. She is a 2012 recipient of the Top 20 Under 40 in North Texas, a 2012 graduate of Leadership Wichita Falls, a 2019 graduate of the CIVIC Leadership Institute, and recognized as Inside Business’ 2021 Women in Business and 2022 Power List’s People to Watch.
Tracy Boone-Jackson Vice President of Technical Services Southeast at Xerox Corp
Tracy Boone-Jackson Vice President of Technical Services Southeast at Xerox Corp Tracy Boone-Jackson is a native to the Hampton Roads area of Virginia and graduate of Norfolk State University. She is currently employed with Xerox Corp as the Vice President of Technical Services Southeast. With more than two decades of operational, management and services experience, Tracy’s career has been an opportunity to discover and develop her strengths and achieve goals beyond expectations. With a focus on development in both her personal and professional career, Tracy received a Master’s of Business in Administration degree (2005). This endeavor broadened her business acumen, value and contribution to Xerox as not just an employee but as a future business leader. Recognizing and aligning with the organization’s direction toward technological initiatives and strategic growth, Tracy continued her pursuit for development by obtaining her Six Sigma Black Belt certification (2010). She has been awarded the Silver (2007) and Gold (2009) Peak Performer Awards. In 2015 and 2017, she received the distinguished and coveted President’s Club award and was recognized as the #1 Director in the US. Tracy’s education, experience and training gives her a unique broad base to lead global teams through change and overcoming obstacles while delivering results with a sense of urgency. Tracy is personable and present a highly professional image. She communicates effectively with both peers and clients on all levels. Tracy currently resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia with her husband of 25 years. In her spare time, she manages her 6-unit apartment building, travels and enjoys spending time with her family and church and supporting her local community.
Tonya Byrd Director, Community Engagement & Local Affairs of Dominion Energy A native of Hampton, VA and graduate of Hampton High School, Tonya Byrd earned her bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, magna cum laude, from Howard University in 1998. While at Howard, she became a member of both Tau Beta Pi – The National Engineering Society and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the first sorority founded for African-American women. Following the completion of her undergraduate studies, she obtained an M.B.A. from The George Washington University in 2000 concentrating in Management of Science, Technology, and Innovation. In her 29 th year with Dominion Energy, Tonya is Director, Community Engagement & Local Affairs. Prior to this position, she worked as an Engineer and Sr. Nuclear Training Instructor at Surry Power Station, Supervisor, Customer Account Management in Norfolk, and Supervisor, Electrical Distribution Design overseeing design teams in both the Hampton and Williamsburg offices. No matter whether at work, or in her spare time, Tonya has a strong focus on STEM education, volunteerism & community engagement, and diversity & inclusion. In 2008, Tonya was selected as a fellow to attend the prestigious World Nuclear University Summer Institute held that year at the University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Each year, the Summer Institute selects 100 nuclear professionals from across the world between the ages of 27 and 37 who demonstrate strong leadership potential. Four years later in 2012, she was featured in the Black Engineering Magazine in an article titled, “Notable Blacks in Energy: They’ve Got the Power” by Frank McCoy. Tonya was selected by Dominion Energy as the 2019 Benjamin J. Lambert III Volunteer of the Year – Community Vitality, and more recently in 2020, she served as Chair of Dominion Energy’s African American Resource Group (AARG) – Corporate Chapter and Honorary Co-Chair of the 3 rd Annual United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Hampton Roads Mayors’ Masked Ball and in 2021 completed McKinsey & Company’s Black Management Accelerator – Leadership Academy. Tonya serves on the board of the Cheryl Jackson Tyler Foundation, Inc., UNCF’s Virginia Leadership Council, and the Hampton Roads Chamber. She is also an active member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Lambda Omega Chapter in Newport News, VA, American Association of Blacks in Energy – Virginia Chapter, the Howard University Alumni Association –Hampton Roads Chapter, and Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Chesapeake Chapter. She attends Relate Church in Suffolk, VA. Tonya, lives in Suffolk, VA with her husband, Dr. Stenette Byrd III, Chief of Schools, Suffolk Public Schools and their 15-year old twins. In her spare time, she travels the country running half marathons and completed her first, and only, marathon in October of 2021.
Dana Beckton Chief Diversity Officer at Sentara Healthcare
Dana Beckton Chief Diversity Officer at Sentara Healthcare Dana Beckton joined Sentara Healthcare in Norfolk Virginia as their first Chief Diversity Officer in 2019. At Sentara, Dana is responsible for engaging across the organization to set the vision and strategy to cultivate an inclusive work environment where diversity is embraced and developed and where all employees feel valued and have equal opportunities to succeed. Dana drives the alignment between the Diversity, Inclusion & Cultural Competency roadmap and Sentara's business strategy. Dana has participated in the National Association of Health Service Executives, first with the Delaware Valley Chapter’s advisory board and as a mentor to Early Careerists and now as interim president of the Virginia chapter. She has also served as a guest speaker on various diversity and inclusion topics for companies and non-profit organizations including the Health Management Academy, PA Diversity Council, New Castle Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Conference, Becker’s Hospital Women and Diversity Leadership Conference and the National Diversity Conference. Dana currently serves on the boards of the Virginia Community College System and the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities Dana was recently recognized by the National Diversity Council as a Top 100 Healthcare Diversity Officers. Dana has her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Temple University and her graduate degree in Organizational Development and Leadership from St. Joseph’s University.
Michelle Ellis Young Chief Executive Officer at YWCA South Hampton Roads
Michelle Ellis Young Chief Executive Officer at YWCA South Hampton Roads A proud native of New Orleans, LA, and graduate of Seton Academy High School for Girls, Michelle Ellis Young is a trained communicator who earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Houston, in Houston, Texas in Radio-Television. A move to Hampton Roads allowed her to continue her studies at Hampton University, where she earned a master’s degree in Counseling with a focus on College Student Development. She has also furthered her education as a doctoral candidate at West Virginia University. Michelle brings a unique and well-balanced perspective to her career and community endeavors. She is equipped with more than 30 years of experience advancing the mission of higher education institutions, non-profits, and corporations in human resources, strengthening the stakeholder experience and conceptualizing innovative programs in community-centered organizations. Described as a connector of people and resources, Michelle is passionate about service and the development of people, esp. women, and young girls, and helping them to actualize their passion and purpose. She simply encourages people to walk in excellence and reminds them to Continue to M.O.V.E. ~ Meditate on Victory Every day! Currently, Michelle serves as the Chief Executive Officer of YWCA South Hampton Roads where she stewards the organization’s mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Most recently, she was executive director of the American Red Cross of Coastal Virginia in Norfolk, where she oversaw the operation of Red Cross in more than 27 cities and counties in Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore. She loves to remember that she was attached to the work of Farm Fresh Foods and Pharmacy as it philanthropically supported Hampton Roads for 60 years! Michelle, who is actively involved in a host of community and civic organizations, serving on several boards and is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She is also an ordained minister and is a die-hard ‘Who Dat’ New Orleans Saints fan!
Nancy Grden Associate Vice President at ODU Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Nancy Grden Associate Vice President at ODU Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Nancy L. Grden is Associate Vice President, ODU Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (IIE), leading ODU’s organization for the campus and community-at-large seeking economic development, entrepreneurship, or innovation resources and partnerships. IIE also oversees programs and services for entrepreneurs, including the Strome Entrepreneurial Center, Women’s Business Center, Veterans Business Outreach Center, TempO regional/rural center, Business Development Center, and Open Seas Technology Innovation Hub. Ms. Grden is currently leading two major economic development initiatives to advance the maritime innovation ecosystem in the Hampton Roads Region and at ODU. She is serving as the inaugural Executive Director for the new Hampton Roads Maritime Collaborative for Growth & Innovation (HRMC), and as co-convener for the ODU Maritime Initiative Leadership Group, which developed a strategy for ODU to be globally recognized as a maritime institution. An executive, entrepreneur, and change agent, Ms. Grden founded/co-founded companies such as Medicaid/Medicare services company Amerigroup (acquired by Anthem), biotech company Genomind, behavioral health care company Lifescape, and fractional CEO services company Avenir. She has served in C-suite strategic planning, development, and marketing roles with predecessor banks to Bank of America, as well as major health care companies, including ValueOptions, now part of Anthem. She also has public sector and government relations experience with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and National Conference of State Legislatures. She is currently the inaugural Chair of 757 Collab for the Region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, and is immediate past Chair of 757 Angels. She serves on the Executive Committees and Boards for organizations such as 757 Accelerate, StartWheel, Women in Venture, Norfolk Innovation Corridor, The Norfolk Forum, and Entrepreneurship & Business Academy for the Virginia Beach Public School System. She is a Board member for Envision Lead Grow (ELG), a not-for-profit aiming to break the cycle of poverty through entrepreneurship with girls from underserved communities nationally and internationally, where she received the first “Trailblazer Award” in 2018. She was recognized by Inside Business for its 2021 “Women in Business Award” and by Virginia Business as “100 to Meet in 2021.” Ms. Grden holds an MBA from the University of South Carolina, Master of Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a B.A. in Economics from Bucknell University.
Toiya Sosa Chief Diversity Officer at Riverside Health System
Toiya Sosa Chief Diversity Officer at Riverside Health System Toiya Sosa is Chief Diversity Officer at Riverside Health System where she is responsible for the ongoing development, implementation, and oversight of the organization's diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy. Prior to this role, Sosa was a community leader and public affairs leader at GEICO where she had oversight of partner relations and philanthropic investment, media relations, and government relations for the VA, NC, TN region. Sosa is a Director for the Urban League of Hampton Roads, Vice Chair of the United Way of South Hampton Roads African American Leadership Society, a Director for Women United, and Chair of the Virginia UNCF Leadership Council. Sosa has been recognized with the 2022 UNCF M.A.S.K.E.D. Award, the 2020 Tidewater Humanitarian Award from the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, the James V. Koch Award from the Urban League of Hampton Roads and was named to the Inside Business Power List from 2019-2021. Sosa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Norfolk State University, a Master of Business Administration from Strayer University, and a Master of Arts in Law from Regent University. Sosa was trained by the National Diversity Council as a Certified Diversity Professional (NDCCDP).