Spotlight Member Series
The “Spotlight” feature was created to foster a culture that recognizes outstanding work, encourages peer support and promotes Black excellence. Each month we will highlight a Black I/O professional or student on our social media platforms. During the month, current and future members will have the opportunity to engage with Spotlight Members about IO experiences and what they are currently doing.
2025 Spotlight Members
Amber currently serves as an HR Manager at CGI Federal, where she partners across sectors to design and implement initiatives that align with strategic goals while prioritizing employee well-being, inclusion, and growth. Her work spans workforce planning, organizational development, HR strategy, and succession planning, always guided by the belief that people are the core of any organization. Her career began with a realization of the powerful impact that workplace culture has on people’s lives, inspiring her to champion equitable, inclusive, and human-centric practices that promote psychological safety and a sense of belonging. With experience in both the government consulting and the nonprofit sector, she offers a nuanced, mission-focused perspective on tackling complex organizational challenges. Amber has a master’s degree in Applied Industrial and Organizational Psychology and is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200). She regularly facilitates sessions on leadership and well-being, blending evidence-based research with yogic wisdom to teach leaders how to lead ethically, grounded in self-awareness, compassion, and service. By integrating her yoga practice and organizational training, she promotes what she refers to as the “yoga of the mind,” encouraging leaders to develop inner clarity, balance, and selflessness to create healthier, more connected workplace cultures. Amber’s work lies at the intersection of business strategy, ethical leadership, and organizational well-being. Whether she’s leading organizational change, mentoring emerging leaders, or facilitating discussions about best practices for organizational well-being, her mission is to foster environments where individuals feel supported, secure, and empowered to grow |
Specializing in executive coaching, leadership development, and immersive training and facilitation, Dr. Warner delivers evidence-based strategies tailored to the needs of dynamic teams. His work includes leading trauma-informed leadership workshops, conducting inclusive leadership 360 assessments, and developing customized programs that address the unique challenges organizations face today. Committed to shaping the future of the field, Dr. Warner also founded a hands-on internship program that equips emerging professionals with real-world experience in consulting, program design, and organizational strategy. With expertise in organizational science and behavioral psychology, he helps teams foster trust, navigate conflict, and create environments where employees feel safe, valued, and empowered. Dr. Warner has been featured on numerous podcasts and national media platforms, and his research has reached audiences worldwide—all in service of helping workplaces become spaces where people truly thrive. |
Amber L. Myers, MPS, RYT-200, SHRM-CP, is a human resources leader with a deep commitment to building workplaces where people can truly thrive. With nearly a decade of experience across HR functions, she brings a strategic and holistic approach to employee engagement, leadership development, and organizational well-being.
Dr. Ryan C. Warner is a globally recognized speaker, award-winning consulting psychologist, decorated military Veteran, and Chief Executive Officer of RC Warner Consulting. His firm partners with government agencies—local, state, and federal—as well as Fortune 500 companies to enhance leadership, advance mental wellness, and build high-performing, inclusive workplaces.
Dr. Martin is a sought-after speaker on topics including employee recognition, leadership, wellbeing, inclusion, and psychological safety. Her insights are frequently featured in top-tier publications like Forbes, Fortune, Bloomberg, HR Executive, HR Dive, and Benefits Pro. She was also named one of the Top 100 HR Tech Influencers by HR Executive. |  Dr. Lucia Nkem, PhD is a consultant, editor, and educator who earned her PhD in Business Psychology from The Chicago School, graduating in the top ten percent of her class. With over eight years of experience in healthcare and pharmaceutical quality assurance, she applies behavioral science to drive performance, ensure compliance, and elevate organizational outcomes.
Her core expertise includes change management, digital workforce transformation, psychometrics, personality assessment, and diversity and inclusion. As a Certified Talent Assessor, Dr. Nkem leverages data-driven strategies to foster leadership development and build more inclusive, high-performing workplaces. A passionate advocate for higher education and equity, she mentors underrepresented students through GoPursue, utilizing tech-enabled platforms to expand access and guide career advancement. Her commitment to innovation in industrial-organizational psychology earned her the BIOP Visibility and Innovation Scholarship. She also authored the SIOP Top 10 Work Trends 2023 under the Visibility-Media Subcommittee, which she presented at the 2024 SIOP Conference, where she also served as a panelist, collaborating with thought leaders to explore the future of work, visibility, and inclusion in the field. Dr. Nkem continues to lead through her work with Blacks in I/O Psychology (BIOP) and is currently building her own consulting firm—focused on transforming organizations through psychology, data, and inclusive innovation. |
Meisha-Ann Martin is the Vice President of People Research at Workhuman, where she leads groundbreaking research to improve the employee experience and advises clients on strategies to drive better business outcomes through human-centered workplaces. With a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and nearly two decades of experience as both a researcher and practitioner, Dr. Martin is a recognized expert in People Analytics and Employee Experience. She has held key roles at leading organizations such as Flex, JetBlue, and Raymond James Financial, and previously served as Head of Talent Management at ServiceMaster. A respected thought leader,
Over the past two years, she has gained valuable experience in talent acquisition and management. With a strategic, human-centered approach to human resources, she is dedicated to fostering inclusive workplace cultures that enhance employee engagement, well-being, and performance. Currently, she is focused on bridging the gap between research and practice to improve workplace experiences, specifically regarding job satisfaction and employee retention. Additionally, she has started sharing insights on workplace culture and leadership on LinkedIn, initiating meaningful conversations around hashtag#TheHumanSideOfWork. Marilyn is a mentee in the 2024-2025 Blacks in I/O mentorship cohort and is always open to new opportunities for growth, collaboration, and meaningful impact. Most importantly, she is a follower of Christ and a dedicated mom of four "neuro-spicy" girls. As she approaches graduation in November 2025, Marilyn plans to explore I-O consulting work with the long-term goal of launching her own consulting firm. |
Presently completing her PhD dissertation research, Jessica is exploring the intersection of micro-aggressions, emotional intelligence, and postpartum anxiety in Black women returning to work—a critical area with significant implications for workplace inclusion and employee well-being. She also created The Postpartum Wellness Deck to better support mothers during the postpartum period, offering accessible tools for emotional regulation, self-care, and navigating early parenthood. Jessica’s expertise extends to executive coaching, with a deep interest in applying psychological principles to organizational behavior and leadership dynamics. As a certified Hogan Assessments practitioner, she leverages data-driven insights to help professionals enhance performance and adaptability. She is currently developing a resource to help organizational leaders strengthen emotional intelligence, fostering greater psychological flexibility and leadership effectiveness. Additionally, Jessica provides professional development training for clinicians, equipping mental health professionals with the tools to integrate evidence-based modalities into their work. |
Marilyn Michelle Reynolds is a first-generation college graduate who earned a Bachelor of Science in Business and a certification in Human Resource Management from the University of Phoenix. She is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Bellevue University. Marilyn is passionate about workplace transformation, talent management, and organizational development. Over the past seven years, she has worked in higher education, making a significant impact on the lives of individuals striving to achieve their educational and career goals.
Jessica Harris, LCPC, LPC, is a psychotherapist and consultant specializing in trauma-informed interventions, maternal mental health, and leadership development. In her private practice, she specializes in supporting business leaders with anxiety management, trauma recovery, and postpartum return to work.
With over 10 years of experience in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Krystyn has contributed as both an external consultant and internal practitioner, focusing on selection, career development, employee engagement, and training. She is also an active member of SIOP, currently serving as the Chair of the Visibility Committee and is involved in ad hoc projects to enhance how SIOP meets the diverse needs of its member base. Beyond her core I-O work, Krystyn is committed to improving access to quality education as an adjunct professor at a regional campus and a board member at a non-profit organization focused on bridging educational opportunity gaps. She is also preparing to launch The True Compass Collective, a venture dedicated to guiding women on a journey of self-discovery. Together with her business partner, Kristy Singletary, she is developing science-based tools and self-care strategies that empower women to live intentionally and thrive through life’s transitions. Krystyn holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the University of Central Florida, along with a B.S. in Business Management and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of South Florida (Go Bulls!) | .png)
Dr. Alecia Bracy is an Industrial and Organizational Psychology Practitioner, business owner, and public speaker. She considers herself a woman with southern charm born and currently living in the Carolinas with Midwest grit having grown up in Detroit, Mi. She holds Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate degrees in Psychology, her PhD focused on IO Psychology and the impact of cognitive dissonance and the Black/African American experiences of unfairness in the corporate work environment. She is the principal for a global consulting firm (InterOrg, LLC), that specializes in the “Strategy Shark Boot-Camp”, which is an organizational assessment, strategic planning, board of director training, leadership development, and Diversity & Inclusion program customized for each client. She has held leadership roles in DEI, Learning and Development, non-profit management, and government relations for over 25 years. Dr. Bracy expertise includes the development and leadership of large-scale projects, programs, and initiatives for corporate, nonprofit, government, and higher education. Her skill set is in analyzing the workplace, identifying gaps, and implementing solution-oriented strategies with leadership that educate, communicate, engage, develop, and empower the workforce. Currently she is working what she considers her passion job, developing and shaping the vendor diversity program for Central Piedmont Community College in North Carolina. She is the President of the Black Alumni Association at Western Michigan University and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. where she has led committees for the Delta’s of Charlotte Foundation, has served on numerous non-profit boards, and received awards for assisting the homeless, racial justice, and the arts. She joined BIOP in 2022 and is currently a mentor to two BIOP members. |
2024 Spotlight Members
Dr. Reuben is a multi-talented, purpose-driven human shape-shifting across roles as a licensed psychologist, business consultant, facilitator, and speaker. He runs a boutique consulting firm that serves “high performers” (e.g., athletes, professionals, entertainers) and emerging leaders. Dr. Reuben specializes in teaching the skills needed to enhance psychological wellness/safety, manage conflict, and build high-performing, human-centric cultures of belonging. After finishing his collegiate football career at the University of Georgia (GO DAWGS!), he studied psychology at the University of Missouri where he gained national notoriety for his student activism. Following his formal training, Dr. Reuben continues to build his career as a much-sought-after change activator serving the people, teams, and leaders who will tackle humanity’s greatest challenges. For more information on services and updates on Dr. Reuben’s adventures, visit www.Dr-Reuben.com. |
Corey Clay, Ph.D., is the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer for the Mechanical Engineering department at the University of Washington in Seattle. He earned his Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Adler University, an institution renowned for its commitment to social justice. Corey integrates DEI into the departments structure by leveraging Lewin’s Change Model to guide and drive transformative initiatives. He has successfully "Unfrozen" outdated perspectives through open dialogue, "Changed" the culture by implementing inclusive practices, and "Refrozen" these changes to ensure lasting impact. Corey’s efforts focus on increasing representation and fostering a more equitable environment for all. Corey is also an avid hiker and US Army veteran. |
Jennifer Rice is passionate about exploring more equitable work and societal models, such as employee-owned cooperatives and universal basic income, and reflecting on how to advocate for the field of I-O Psychology to question its assumptions and the paradigms it operates within and push harder for radical change. She started her consulting practice, People Science & Strategy, LLC, as she transitions to early retirement to live out her values of pursuing unconventional work paths. Jennifer is committed to helping and expanding the capacity of public and private sector companies or teams who are serious about holding up a mirror to their status quo and implementing real, practical change to improve equity and the employee experience. As a long-time leader and manager, she developed a love of being a resource and mentor to students and early career professionals, so for those groups and like-minded individuals, do not hesitate to reach out. Jennifer is focused on questioning and transforming U.S. work culture. She works to improve conditions for all workers, especially the most vulnerable, including people of color, women, neurodivergent individuals, the economically disadvantaged, and the LGBTQ+ community. With over a decade of experience, Jenny's expertise spans workforce planning, employee engagement and lifecycle survey programs, performance management, selection, DEIB & HR strategy, and managing one of the largest I-O Psychology internship programs in the U.S. She co-authored the San Francisco Public Utilities' landmark Racial Justice Resolution and Racial Equity Action Plan, and applies an internal equity lens throughout all projects and work. Jenny holds a Master's in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Xavier University, and certifications in Strategic Workforce Planning, Strategic HR Business Partner, and Prosci Change Management. |
Jimez Ashby Jr. is a People and Organizational Potential Practitioner whose career spans over a decade of groundbreaking work. Originally from St. Thomas, USVI, and now influencing the Washington DC Metro Area, Jimez embodies the spirit of innovation and a relentless pursuit of excellence. His journey is not just a tale of professional progression but a testament to the transformative power of strategic insight combined with a human-centric approach. Jimez’s expertise spans the vast expanse of human capital and organizational effectiveness, weaving through the intricacies of change management, talent acquisition, and employee engagement and extending into the pioneering territories of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA), digital transformation, and cultural metamorphosis. This broad spectrum of skills highlights his versatility and his foresight in recognizing and leading the charge toward holistic organizational evolution. His unparalleled proficiency in digital transformation initiatives is at the heart of Jimez’s success. He has steered organizations through significant change by harnessing innovative technologies and methodologies, enhancing operational efficiency, and paving the way for future growth. His command over human-centered design and appreciative inquiry allows him to architect projects that meet and exceed user expectations and organizational goals. Leadership, for Jimez, is about inspiring and mentoring. He has led agile teams across diverse geographical landscapes, championing collaboration and innovation to meet strategic objectives. His strategic acumen and ability to foster a collaborative environment have been crucial in navigating complex challenges, enabling organizations to thrive with agility and resilience. His leadership and mentoring experience instill confidence and reassurance in his abilities, making him a trusted guide in the professional landscape. Jimez’s dedication to societal advancement is a beacon of inspiration. His volunteer efforts, including his roles as a Social Science Advisor for the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine and a Human Rights Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Virginia, underscore his commitment to inclusivity and empowerment. His leadership as the Inclusion & Diversity for the Virgin Islands Chapter of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) further underscores his dedication to fostering inclusivity and empowerment at all levels. Jimez Ashby Jr. is not just a strategist or consultant; he is a trailblazer for organizations aspiring to navigate the complexities of the modern world with grace, efficiency, and inclusivity. His work continues to inspire, influence, and ignite change, making him a pivotal figure in the realms of organizational development and strategic innovation, and a beacon of hope for the future. |
Dr. Shaneka Parham is an Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychologist with over 10 years of experience in the field. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the Virginia Union University, a Master’s in I/O Psychology from the University of Baltimore, and a Ph.D. in I/O Psychology from the the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Washington, DC. Dr. Parham helps to ensure person-to-organization fit by the use of data-driven and scientifically sound processes. She has primarily worked in assessment and selection for various industries (e.g., medical, military, real estate, electric, technology). She has helped to meet the employment needs of organizations by developing and maintaining rigorously validated employment tests. She works to provide the most effective pre-employment selection solutions possible by performing various tasks (e.g., item analyses, adverse impact analyses, test development consulting and assessment validation). She also has experience in Survey Development, Job Analyses, Standard Setting, and a host of other I/O related tasks. Dr. Parham currently works for a federal agency but also has a wealth of experience working in the private sector. In addition to continuing work in the field, Dr. Parham also works as an adjunct professor in the I/O Psychology Ph.D. program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. In this role she fulfills her passion of helping to develop aspiring I/O Psychologists by bringing real life experiences to the classroom. |
Dr. Melonie Boone is an author, business psychologist, and global executive leader boasting a rich tapestry of over 25 years of experience. Her unparalleled blend of expertise in international business management, strategy, human resources, and organizational development has consistently yielded exceptional results, driving high-impact growth across diverse industries. Known for her people-centric approach, Dr. Boone has garnered acclaim for her value-added leadership, spanning startups to large global enterprises. Her influence extends across a spectrum of sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, technology, and non-profit, where she has spearheaded transformative initiatives in culture transformation, change management, and mergers and acquisitions. |
Dr. Stephanie Murphy is an experienced people analytics leader with 15 years in internal and external organizational consulting. She has been internationally recognized for her work in employee listening, research, assessments, and analytics, and she has been featured in several publications, podcasts, and conferences. Her experience expands the public and private sector, working with organizations such as UnitedHealth Group, University of Texas at Austin, Dell Technologies, and the U.S. Department of Treasury. Stephanie has experience teaching MBA courses such as people analytics and diversity and inclusion, and also serves on several professional boards and committees. She holds her B.S. in psychology from the University of New Orleans and her Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology from Louisiana Tech University. |
MJ (Maleeka Jihad) is the Founder and CEO of Emic Cultural Consultants Collective (EC3). EC3 is an agency composed of professional experts that specialize in human-centered (anti-racism) leadership building and coaching—providing support, empowerment, and prioritizing the healing of self and organizations through education, mentorship, and training in a culturally respectful way. As part of a community of diverse professional experts that practice in law, education, psychology, mental health, wellness, and conscience community building. EC3 concentrates on evolving and cultivating a positive nurturing space to increase awareness of issues related to race, ethnicity, culture, equality, and identity. Completing her PhD in Organizational Development and Leadership with a focus on therapeutic modalities to treat racial trauma for Black Americans, MJ specializes in providing education and support for those invested in healing from external and internal racism. |
Veronica-Carol Brailsford is an experienced strategic management consultant with expertise in Human Capital Management and Workforce Development. Her experience spans several industries, including Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, tech start-ups, and the public sector. Veronica-Carol excels in advising organizational leaders in efforts to implement people and culture strategies that drive inclusion, engagement, retention, and high performance through the intentional design of meaningful connections and emphasis on creating a human-centered experience. In her current role at Evans Consulting, Veronica-Carol leads end-to-end talent development programs for Federal clients. She supports large-scale change efforts to help organizations achieve increased employee engagement and performance through sustainable talent solutions. Her unique style of client partnership allows her to design program strategies and develop learning content that ensures DEIA practices are embedded in the agency’s leadership practices, talent management programs, and organizational culture. Veronica-Carol attended Morgan State University and Liberty University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Communications and History. She earned a Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Adler University and holds various Human Resources Management and Talent Development certifications. |
Born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, Jaylynn is a trailblazer with a diverse background in industrial and organizational psychology, research methodologies, and human resources management. With a Master of Professional Studies in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from George Mason University and a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Old Dominion University, Jaylynn brings a strong academic foundation to her professional endeavors. She currently serves as a Human Resource professional at ncgCARE, one of the largest behavioral health agencies on the East Coast, supporting over 1000 employees and serving over 13,000 individuals with care.
Throughout her career, she has been committed to leveraging her expertise in research, statistical analysis, and policy to drive impactful change within organizations. Some of Jaylynn’s graduate research analyzed the effects of diversity climate and DEI initiatives among minority employees’ job satisfaction and work stress. In addition, she conducted a study on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on university students’ perceptions of threat and harm to their academic success. The research further examined how students’ employment status during enrollment mediated these perceptions, aiming to inform university policies and procedures.
Dedicated to improving workplace dynamics, Jaylynn plans to pursue her Juris Doctor to focus on advocacy and policy work within organizations and government agencies. Through her legal education, Jaylynn aims to become a catalyst for positive change, leveraging her expertise to address complex legal issues and drive meaningful reforms. |
Anita has over 10 years of experience in diversity and inclusion, HR, and leadership development, and is currently the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (IIABA); a national trade association that supports nearly 25,000 independent agencies located nationwide. She obtained her B.S. in Psychology from Upper Iowa University and an MBA from Colorado Technical University, specializing in HR Management. Anita is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Psychology with a focus on Consulting at The Chicago School. Anita’s mission is to make an impact by helping people and organizations meet their potential and achieve their goals by leading the development and implementation of strategies and programs that promote a culture of belonging, respect, and equity. Her passion for creating positive and inclusive environments has allowed those around her to thrive! |
Janiece, a Miami native deeply rooted in faith and community, embarked on a transformative journey in 2009. Embracing the powerful message of being the answer in every room, she founded The Answer Group Consulting, LLC (TAG Consulting), setting the stage for her impactful career as an Industrial-Organizational Psychology Practitioner. Currently serving as the Board Chair of New Canon Chamber Collective, Board Secretary of Blacks in I/O Psychology (BIOP), and HR Consultant to AIRIE, Janiece exemplifies her commitment to community engagement and positive change. In her capacity as HR Program Manager at Jazwares, LLC, she plays a crucial role in crafting impactful programs that address opportunities for improvement Beyond her corporate endeavors, Janiece is an Adjunct Professor at Florida International University (FIU) teaching "Women & Leadership" and "Intro to I/O Psych" in the College of Arts, Sciences & Education Psychology Department. She uses this opportunity to give back the lessons learned and impart wisdom to the next generation of leaders. |
2023 Spotlight Members
|
Educational and Professional Journey: Philosophy and Approach: Specializations and Services: Community Involvement: Intersection of Psychology and Technology: Mission and Impact: |
Eliza Gueye! Raised in Cleveland Ohio and now based in the DMV, Eliza is a seasoned human resource professional with over eight years of experience in full-cycle recruitment, business development, and talent strategy domestically and in emerging and developing economies. Over the years, she has gained experience in talent acquisition, succession planning, talent management, training, sourcing, compliance, reporting, gender equity and social inclusion (GESI), and diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) strategies for corporate offices and global programs funded by the USAID, Department of State and Department of Defense.
|
Hi. I'm La Toya Glenn. I serve current roles as an Industrial Organizational Psychology Doctoral Candidate and Educational Consultant. I have extensive work experience in post-secondary and secondary education, public health, private practices, and corporate settings. Regarding educational endeavors, I've completed a Master of Science degree in Assistive Technology and Human Services at California State University. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Human Services degree from Clayton State University and an Associate of Science degree from Georgia State University. Currently, I'm in the last stages of my dissertation study in a PhD program at Walden University. My dissertation is titled “Experience of Well-Being in Educators Who Transitioned from In-person to Online Teaching.” It’s a qualitative study geared towards understanding well-being and social support initiatives. Recently, I received the Don Ackerman’s Grant to further my research initiatives. The research constructs that interest me are well-being, workplace transitions, and employee burnout. I have plans to conduct research and work with a variety of organizations before fulfilling the tenure faculty goal. During my free time, I spend as much time as possible with my fiance’ and three kids. I love to travel and explore different beaches with a good book. |
A Maryland native, Shelby Davis M.S., has a profound commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across various domains. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in IO Psychology at Colorado State University (CSU) with a focus on occupational health psychology, delving into the impacts of psychologically unsafe environments for marginalized groups under the mentorship of Dr. Danielle Gardner in the Researching Identity & Stigma in Employment (RISE) Lab. Her academic journey began at Tennessee State University where she earned a B.S. in Biology and Psychology, and continued at Western Kentucky University (WKU), where she earned her M.S. in Psychology in 2022. At WKU, Shelby worked in the Discrimination and Work-Life (DAWL) Lab under Dr. Katrina Burch and gained experience examining incivility and microaggressions against Black individuals in academia. Her thesis "An investigation of perceived authenticity of diversity and Black Lives Matter statements and their influence on applicant attractiveness" showcased her dedication to understanding diversity and inclusion and exemplifies her dedication to making meaningful change and afforded her the opportunity to present at the 2023 SIOP conference. Her current research aims to address how Black employees manage their non-Black colleagues' perceptions of them (avoiding stereotypes and stigmas) through racial code-switching. Her contributions to psychology extend beyond academia. Engaging actively with the community, she enjoys mentoring and educating future researchers through the Blacks and African American Cultural Center at CSU and as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Shelby’s profound dedication to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion and her exceptional academic achievements undoubtedly are preparing her to be a leader in the field of Industrial-Organizational Psychology. She looks forward to connecting with and learning from all of you!” |
A California native, Danielle R. Baines, M.S. is an Organizational Development Consultant and Leadership Coach with over 12 years in training and organizational development. She is a trusted |
A common theme throughout Lenz Bayas' career is the desire to help others be the best version of themselves. He has worked in numerous industries, including but not limited to: international development, K-12, and financial crime. As owner and founder of LKB Consulting, LLC, he’s on a mission to transform the way organizations approach people-related performance in the workplace. Lenz is passionate about partnering with senior leaders to bring about meaningful business results. He draws from a variety of disciplines and evidence-based approaches when addressing challenges or pursuing opportunities in today’s business environment. He believes that organizations and the people within them can dream, design, and achieve a just, sustainable future together. Lenz holds a B.A in psychology and philosophy from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, a certificate in instructional technology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, and an M.S. in Organizational Performance & Workplace Learning from Boise State University. He is also a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Beyond his professional life, Lenz is a bilingual (Haitian Creole/English) & bicultural citizen of the world who strongly values culture and community. During his free time you’ll most often find him cooking with his wife Rachel, playing piano, playing capoeira, or tapping out traditional Haitian rhythms on his hand drum. |
|
.png)
In April 2023 Courtney is launching Simply You Solutions, LLC., a firm that supports organizations to achieve a workplace where “you can simply be you!” She helps companies identify and eliminate barriers to equity and facilitates experiences that build DEI knowledge and skills. Her previous consulting focused on topics such as intersectionality and authenticity in the workplace. Courtney earned her PhD in Organizational Psychology from Michigan State University in 2021 and is currently working with a team to expand the work in her dissertation, which was awarded the Michigan Psychological Association Foundation Dissertation Award and The Benjamin Schneider Scholarship from SIOP. It focused on the relationship between code switching, well-being and burnout for Black employees. Her work has been published in both peer-reviewed academic journals and practice focused publications such as the Harvard Business Review Online. Courtney is the 2022-2024 Chair for the SIOP Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs (CEMA) and is always interested in supporting racial and ethnic minorities. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® where she serves the community as the Chair of the HBCU Committee. As a newlywed of 7 months, Courtney likes to binge watch tv with her husband and French bulldog puppy. She also loves to discover new places both in her metro area and with travel. |  Marla J. Albertie has lived on board a United States carrier therefore, she feels she is unstoppable. As a native of Jacksonville, Florida she loves to read, travel, and shop. Many of her travels have been on cruises as she has taken 16 thus far. Marla believes life is a journey and we all can create the life we want so why not; you only live this life once. She has a passion to see growth in people’s lives and wants others to pay it forward.
As an energetic visionary, she is the owner and founder of the TruthSpeaksGroup LLC , a multimedia company that creates strategies and solutions for work-life integration/harmony (WLI/H). She is also the founder of I/O for Teens Inc., (a skill, confidence, and career building organization teaching teens how to achieve their dreams based on the science of human behavior.)MJA Notary Services LLC., MJA Publishing LLC., and JEMA Holdings LLC. Marla doesn’t believe in work-life balance as she believes all areas of our lives can be integrated and we can create harmony in our lives by means of I/O Psychology and Positive Psychology methodologies. Marla’s mantra is to #TeachTrainEducate working women who desire to understand their truth and live a life of success defined on their own terms. Marla is a certified professional career, executive, and life coach, trainer APTD (Associate Professional in Training and Development), Certified Chief Happiness Officer, Certified Positive Psychology Practitioner, Director of HR, Instructor, of Psychology, Amazon Best Selling author, and has over 25 years of business, coaching, and training experience. Marla holds a Master of Education in Adult Education, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management, and an Associate of Science in Financial Services. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. |
She will be submitting a proposal to present at the next SIOP Conference 2024 on Gender equality in terms of equal pay and looking forward to an I/O psychology graduate student who may be interested in the research. She looks forward to connecting and discussing the proposal at the SIOP conference in 2023 in Boston. |
Having a broad curiosity, Nchopia enjoys a breadth of I-O related experience. Prior to joining Korn Ferry, Nchopia worked for boutique consulting firms focused on talent development and assessment while also serving as an adjunct psychology instructor at Salt Lake Community College. She facilitated leadership development programs, managed hi-potential programs, partnered with C-Suite leaders on annual strategic planning initiatives and goal cascade, defined leadership competencies, designed performance and recognition programs, designed and debriefed 360 assessments, designed and debriefed employee surveys, coached leaders on engaging employees, and helped students define career paths. Her research interests include exploring the intersection of personality and race on workplace authenticity, engagement, and performance. She co-authored “Investigating the Implications of Code-Switching and Assimilating at Work for African-American Professionals” published in the Journal of Business Diversity. Today, Nchopia’s work is focused on assessing and developing executive leaders in the oil & gas, financial services, tech, and luxury goods space. She plays an active role in Korn Ferry leadership, serving as co-chair of the firm’s D.C Office Steering Committee. She is also chair of the Society of Industrial-Organizational Psychology Early Career Practitioner Forum. |
2022 Spotlight Members
As an IO practitioner, Vanessa has a positive psychology approach to business, human resources, change management, organizational development, leadership development, executive coaching, people analytics, and talent management in government, private sector, and nonprofits. She is also a certified personal stylist and ICF coach who helps individuals work on their work style, brand, image, and reputation. In her spare time, she supports research by directly engaging in efforts to replicate psychological studies in top journals. Previously, Vanessa served as a military All-Source Intelligence Analyst for nearly five years in the United States Army. She holds an MS in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Walden University, an MBA from Nova Southeastern University, a Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership from Lewis University, a Graduate Certificate in Positive Psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a BA from Georgia Southern University. Her certifications include, being a certified ICF executive coach, Prosci Certified Change Practitioner, and Hogan Personality Assessments. |
Brittney Brinkley is an I-O Psychology practitioner with a focus on promoting DEI in the workplace. Brittney received her Master of Science degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from St. Mary’s University and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside. Brittney spent her early career assessing the fairness and validity of gamified assessments and advising on the potential legal risks and overall fairness of new products and machine learning instruments. Her current work has a more regulatory focus as she aids clients in their EEO compliance through federal reporting, AAP development, and strategic consulting. Brittney is experienced in conducting adverse impact studies, predictive validity studies, job analyses, return on investment analysis (e.g., recruiting dollars saved, diversity gains), and providing compliance guidance. She has also worked as an internal consultant, assisting with employee engagement surveys, setting D&I goals and policies, setting up ERGs, and leading the internal cultural committee as president. |
Vanessa Blake 
|
Dawn Gates is a 2nd-year student in an I-O Psychology master’s program with a focus on and devotion to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) issues. She hopes to use her I-O education to help shape and lead organizations that want to honor the needs of its most vital asset, their employees. She is a retired veteran of the Virginia Army National Guard where she served as the senior diversity leader for her unit and has trained and led military personnel through 3 overseas deployments. She also has a background in communications and recently began her coaching business focusing on transformational leadership. Dawn is the chair for BIOP’s DEI Task Force and a member of SIOP’s External Relations committee. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and watching the world through her tiny giant son’s eyes. She hails from Fort Knox, KY, but presently resides in Maryland with her husband and son. |
Kenyatta is extremely motivated and organized with first-hand experience in training and development. She is a passionate team player and loves to meet new people. She's creative and takes great pride in her work and prides herself in taking a vision and making it a reality through sound strategy development. Kenyatta intuitively sees the threads of opportunity that wind through an organization, brings them together into a coherent whole, helps others extend their thinking, and drives material business advantage. Her truest aspiration is to become an inspirational leader and IO professional. Respected as a credible voice in decision-making, Kenyatta tends to earn a seat at the table wherever she serves. |
Dr. NaTasha Jordan, or Dr. J for short, is an IO Psychologist who stands at the center of Marketing, Psychology, and Org Design.As an IO Psychologist, she is a budding expert on how organizations can grow during uncertain times through building the right team, providing the right direction, and embodying shared and lived values. She has been recognized as the first black woman to be awarded the Consulting Psychology Presidential Citation. Chosen by James Orsini, President of The Sasha Group to work alongside Gary Vaynerchuk's handpicked leaders, Dr. J advises SMB leaders on designing their organization for the now helping her clients operationalize their strategies and turning their visions into reality through strategic organizational transformation. |
Her work and research interests include racial and gender equity initiatives, occupational health and safety, and mitigating organizational burnout. Post-graduation, Alicia aims to work in the consulting field and guide various organizations in their efforts to implement DEI initiatives. In her free time, Alicia likes to read, hike with friends, travel internationally, and spend time with her family. |
In her free time, Alexis enjoys traveling and trying new restaurants. Whether throwing the ball with her pup Marley or enjoying an espresso martini on an international beach, Alexis truly takes pride in embodying work/life balance in everything she does. |
.png)
Alicia Kumar 
Alexis Graham
|
She understands how important it is to identify all aspects of an individual’s life that impact their well-being including support systems, work/school environment, spirituality and life purpose. Under her consulting firm “Black Magenta Consulting” Shaneeta compassionately works with each of her clients by meeting them where they are and empowering them with new life skills during their journey. Shaneeta enjoys gardening, traveling, music, and poetry. She loves meeting new people and spending quality time with her family and friends. She is also a dedicated breeder of English and French Bulldogs. |
Teresa "Terri" White is a lifelong resident of Central California with a small stint of time spent in beautiful Shreveport, Louisiana. She is a mother of three awesome children Isaiah, Ambiance, and Daniel. Teresa started her journey into I/O Psychology in my Master's program where she learned that psychology could do more than help better understand the mind but also help relationships in our everyday lives. She is passionate about helping professionals from all walks of life find and thrive in their God-given gifts and talents. Currently, Teresa is pursuing a Ph.D. in I/O Psychology from Northcentral University. Her goal is to offer I/O services to organizations such as non-profits and faith-based organizations and congregations that would not normally have access to these services. .png)
|
Anika Wilson, is a respected thought leader, speaker, podcast host and conference curator. She is a business consultant for women committed to leading through business. Combining her clinical experience with psychological theories, tests and measurements, she creates personalized systematic solutions for entrepreneurs and executives through her consulting services at her firm Nobody Greater, LLC. Her approach towards life, business and leadership is comprised of her lived experiences, education and passion for excellence. With the new developments in equity, inclusion, diversity and belonging, she believes that every woman has the potential to work, live and lead their lives, businesses and families with excellence. As such, she recently founded Infinite Women’s Network to assist women committed to excellence, bridge the gap between aspiration to attainment. |
2021 Spotlight Members
Tiffany Day is a credentialing specialist and practitioner with over 13 years’ experience managing assessment planning, development, and validation projects for government agencies, private sector clients, credentialing organizations, and professional associations. Her span of expertise covers developing, deploying, and managing all aspects of the certification strategy (program planning, job/practice analysis, test/assessment development, form assembly, scoring, and reporting), and ensuring programs’ compliance with best practices and standards for assessment-based certificate programs and accreditation. Currently, she works as a Senior Research Scientist at the Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO), a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing and applying state-of-the-art assessment solutions and technologies to solve the real-world challenges facing private and public sector organizations and educational institutions.
Tiffany holds a M.S. in Educational Research, with concentration in assessment, evaluation, and testing, from George Mason University, and a B.S. in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a member of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP), the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE), and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. In June 2021, she joined BIOP and is proud to be associated with a group of professionals committed to educating people about what IO psychologists do, and increasing visibility and representation of Blacks (and other minorities) in the growing IO field! 
Riza Y. Leak is a Leadership Consultant at HPS. Graduated with her Masters in I/O Psychology from Roosevelt University in Chicago, she brings an invested interest in assisting organizations support, recognize, and empower their employees within their roles. She loves connecting with others and being a connector. Riza enjoys working on organizational change and development projects. Riza has a passion for volunteering her time and talents to her church and in her board positions for local and national professional I/O Psychology organizations. For BIOP, she is the Program Lead for the Mentorship Program. . |
Melissa “MiMi” Peace is an Organizational Development Consultant partnering with corporations to engage employees with strategies to boost productivity, drive down costs, and foster a healthy organizational culture where people thrive. MiMi brings over 10 years of experience aligning people strategies with business goals. Her career has included roles within Capital One, Bank of America, Bank of Hawaii, and Central Pacific Bank amongst the many organizations she's had the honor to serve and create a positive lasting impact. Ms. Peace became one of the 51.5 million adults experiencing a mental health condition annually when she was diagnosed with depression. As she recovered and evaluated her experience, she made it her mission to help leaders create mentally healthy workplaces where people have the tools to offer and seek support. Her article ‘Stop Workplace Stigma #Talkaboutit’ was featured in the Fall 2021 Work + Science magazine. View a free digital copy at workplacescience.org. She combines her lived experience, career in Organizational Development, certifications including Mental Health First Aid Instructor and People Analytics in HR with continuing advanced education in Organizational Psychology to deliver solutions that produce positive change and improve productivity. Naturally, she's named her approach The Peace Process.
 Derek James is an I/O Professional whose origins started as a seasoned IT professional with fortune 500 companies. Derek shifted from analyzing technology to analyzing the navigation of career development for BIPOC professionals. As his career progresses, he identifies organizational deficiencies and proposes areas of improvement. He is a PhD Candidate in I/O Psychology and holds a B.S. degree in Computer Science and a M.S. in Psychology. He also serves as the head coach for bowling at Stony Brook University where he specializes in physical and mental game development. Derek has a love for seafood, sushi, and travel and loves to combine them all when possible. |
Dr. Gena Cox is an organizational psychologist, executive coach, and keynote speaker. She has worked with Fortune 500 leaders for over 20 years to enhance leader effectiveness and build work cultures in which all employees can thrive. Gena imagines a day in which the term “diversity and inclusion” becomes just another name for "100% leadership”. She encourages top leaders to lead this change, as explained in her recent Harvard Business Review, linked here. Gena is currently writing a book for C-suite leaders, board directors, and other leaders who want to build inclusive organizational cultures but lack clarity and confidence about their role in making this happen. The book will be published in Fall 2022.
Areas of Focus
Contact:
|
Dr. Jimmy Davis is AVP/Director of Assessment & Development for M&T Bank. In this role, he is responsible for the assessment and development strategy to be used across the enterprise to create a leadership pipeline that helps lead into the future. He brings expertise in leadership development, executive coaching, assessment, talent management, and diversity to organizations to help them build dynamic and talented leadership teams. In his previous roles, Jimmy has worked across industries including retail, consumer packaged goods, banking, finance, healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, energy, and insurance. Examples of Jimmy’s recent work include:
Prior to joining M&T Bank, Jimmy was an executive bench consultant for RHR International. Before that he was a principal consultant of his own independent consulting firm called Blacksmith Consulting Company.. He has held a wide variety of roles as an executive coach, consultant, and business leadership associate. As an associate professor, Jimmy has taught classes on industrial and organizational psychology, leadership, organizational behavior, and business policy and strategy at educational institutions including Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, New York University, and Baruch College. Jimmy is a member of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP), Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA), the Association of Black Psychologists, and CALIBR Global Leadership Network. He is president of board trustees at Create Your Dreams, a youth development program dedicated to nurturing the talents and dreams of students living in underserved areas. Education University of Georgia, PhD, Industrial-Organizational Psychology University of Georgia, MS, Industrial-Organizational Psychology Morehouse College, BA, Psychology |
| .png)
Shyriah Marshall is a doctoral student at Walden University where she is working to obtain her PhD in IO Psychology with a focus in Leadership and Coaching. Shyriah received a Masters of Philosophy in IO Psychology from Walden University. Previously, Shyriah obtained a Masters Degree in Organizational Management with a focus in Entrepreneurial and Economic Development from Peru State College where she also obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Performance and Systems Management. Shyriah’s love for education began at a very young age, studying IO Psychology has allowed her to build successful working relationships while helping clients and other professionals reach their goals as leaders and business owners. Shyriah currently works as a Battery Program Specialist where she assists with managing and developing business relationships while helping to maintain, set, and achieve goals set within the organization. While in her current role Shyriah has volunteered for various roles and events such as Big Brothers Big Sisters serving as a lead for the Social Justice team, The Emerging Professionals Group - where she serves in leadership as a Support Specialist, and has assisted with leading teams for Bowl for Kids Sake, The ACS Making Strides Breast Cancer event, and lead a team for the virtual walk for the United Negro College Fund. Shyriah enjoys working with organizations that desire to help their community through their work. Shyriah is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Blacks in IO, Psi Chi National Honor Society, and the National Society of Leadership and Success. Shyriah is also the CEO and principal consultant of Marshall Career Consulting, LLC. where she assists her clients with interview preparation, resume editing, resume creating, and performance reviews. In addition, as a consultant, Shyriah helps entrepreneurs with developing business plans and best practices, leadership review, and various other projects. Post doctoral degree, Shyriah plans to use resources to create programs and events to help others succeed within the workplace or in their entrepreneurial desires. |
 Grayson Sturgis is a first-year I/O Psychology doctoral student at Bowling Green State University from Farmington Hills, Michigan, and is currently an active member of the Blacks in I/O Diversity Task Force special interest committee. As a graduate of Eastern Michigan University’s Honors College with a dual B.S. in Psychology and International Affairs, many of Grayson’s research interests tend to have an international spin. Some of these aforementioned interest areas include expatriate work adjustment, the role of Gelfand’s cultural tightness-looseness as a moderating variable in previously established variable relationships, and the continued study of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions. A more diversity-related research interest of his relates to ways in which counterproductive work behavior is differentially perceived depending on the social identities of those involved. Post-graduation, Grayson currently plans to take the applied route and work as an organizational development consultant–preferably for a multinational organization, of course! As such, he is always open to and appreciative of sitting down with someone experienced in the consulting realm for some pointers, and is similarly happy to sit down and speak with any undergraduates considering a graduate education in I/O about the application and transition processes. He also would not mind a Japanese language conversational partner to keep him from getting rusty after his 6 years of study. |
Dr. Bisi Atoba is an Instructional Assistant Professor and Director of the MS Psychological Sciences (Concentration in I-O) Program at Texas A&M University. Her research focuses primarily on work teams, leadership, and training. These endeavors have practical implications for organizations given the increasing complexity and competition they encounter. Bisi teaches the following graduate courses: Training, performance management, teams, and leadership. She recognizes that education is a privilege and not a routine expectation. Hence, she adopts an instructional style that empowers students to take an active role in their learning and skill acquisition. |
Janelle King is an I/O Consultant and Certified Executive & Leadership Coach. After 5 years of coaching women one-on-one to uncover their purpose and align it with a fulfilling career, Janelle realized that there was a gap. A lot of women were working with her to uncover their purpose because they weren’t finding it in their careers. They were unaware of their purpose, and the organizations they were working at did nothing to foster organizational purpose, let alone the purpose of their employees. Therefore, there was a dual dissonance, disconnection, disengagement on both the individual and organizational level. That is why it is her mission to help organizations, teams, professionals, and people reimagine and redesign the way they do life and work through the power of purpose and the science and practice of industrial-organizational psychology. Janelle lives out this mission through her I/O consulting practice, Excel Leadership, where she helps organizations create people-centric, purpose-driven organizational cultures that allow organizations, teams, and employees to engage and excel in meaningful work using data and insights from industrial-organizational, vocational, and positive psychology. Her areas of expertise are in organizational development, culture creation and transformation, purpose discovery and activation at the organizational, team, and individual level, employee experience, as well as executive, leadership, and career development/performance coaching. Janelle holds a B.S. in Psychology from Howard University, an ICF accredited life coaching certification through the Beautiful You Coaching Academy, and is currently earning her M.A. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. You can find and learn more about Janelle on her personal website janelleking.com. For more information on how your organization can excel in meaningful work, visit excelleadership.co to set up a complimentary consultation. |
Nathan Price “The Academic I-O” is currently working as a Career Transition Specialist for Hawaii Job Corps. He has a vast background within Student Affairs, Leadership and Talent Development, Career Development, Culture Evaluation and Intervention, and Mentorship. He is the committee lead for the Membership Engagement and Service Committee for Blacks in I-O. He is a volunteer for SIOP in the LGBT Committee focusing on their mentoring initiative. Currently focusing on developing a mentorship initiative for transitioning professionals for DreamBuilding Consulting. He is also collaborating to create a Social Justice Scorecard for I-O Graduate Programs and plans to present at this years SIOP Conference: An Inclusive Discussion about I-O Graduate Program Diversity and Social Justice. Nathan holds a MPS in I-O psychology from the University of Maryland. He also holds a B.B.A in Business Management, and a B.S. in Psychology from Henderson State University. |
2020 Spotlight Members
Brynee’ Dade is the Volunteer & Pro Bono Committee lead for Blacks in IO. She graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor’s in Psychology with a concentration in Work and Organizational Psychology and has most recently obtained her Master’s from the University of Baltimore in I/O Psychology.
She has worked as a Federal Consultant for the past 2 years serving clients from the Smithsonian to DoD. Recently, she started a new position with a small firm, Coverent LLC, allowing her to take a deeper dive into her interest in survey development and data analytics. She uses is currently using Qualtrics, Tableau, and SQL to provide data insights to her current client.
Her background also includes training development, job analyses, and position classification. She is interested in learning more statistical packages (i.e. Python and R) and working with cross-cultural teams. Traveling out of the country in 2018 to the University of Barcelona and working with a global virtual team has ignited a desire to explore and learn more about cross-cultural differences and its impact on business relations. She further expressed her interest in cross-cultural by completing another study abroad trip in 2019 to France with sports management students from the University of Bordeaux. |
Sertrice Grice received her B.S. in Psychology from Emporia State University in 2015 and her M.S. in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Radford University in 2017. She immediately began working at OrgVitality as a Project Manager after graduate school. She is now a full time Consultant at OrgVitality. Sertrice has experience coordinating employee engagement projects from start to finish for clients ranging in size from less than 1,000 employees to over 100,000 employees, and for both domestic and global clients. Her experience includes managing timelines and client relationships, working strategically to design unique items and tools to meet client needs, and analyzing results to present to executive teams. Sertrice works hard to ensure integrity of the project throughout the various stages of the process. She is passionate about interpreting data to help guide organizations toward improvements based on results. Sertrice’s interests include inclusion and diversity (I&D) and leadership development. She developed a free Anti-Racist Organization survey for organizations to use to solicit employee feedback on the workplace culture, minority support, and racial relations within their organization. She has also led numerous webinars and presented at conferences on different I&D topics. Sertrice is currently located in Southern California. She is a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority and has had multiple volunteer roles as an alumna. Presently, Sertrice is the Chair of the Business Development and Partnerships Committee for Blacks in IO and the Chair of the SIOP Institutional Research Committee Survey Oversight Sub-Committee. |
Lexi Redmond is the social media lead with Blacks in IO. She recently received her Masters in Industrial/ Organizational Psychology graduate at Florida Institute of Technology with a concentration in International IO. Currently, she works as an Intern/Research Associate for Vantage Leadership Consulting, a consulting firm that focuses on building exceptional leadership capabilities, and as a Program Assistant with Race for Equity, a consulting firm focuses on building equitable organizations. Before this, she received her B.S. degree in Psychology with a minor in Business Administration from Palm Beach Atlantic University where she was honored to be named the Department of Psychology’s 2018 Outstanding Graduate. Lexi also had the privilege of being named a 2017 Newman Civic Fellow for her work in race relations and civic engagement on PBA’s campus. Her research interests include racial and ethnic diversity and its impact on team processes and leadership. She discusses these topics in her podcast Engaging Life. In her spare time, she enjoys acting and storytelling of any kind whether it’s a good book, movie, or a good musical. |
Dr. Simpson’s focus as an Industrial and Organizational Psychologist is using research data and statistics to evaluate real work trends and relationships between individuals and their work. He uses analytics and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of an business or organization to create and advance the business to sustain its vision and mission to serve its stakeholders. He is passionate about building and guiding both professional individuals and companies to be agile, innovative, valuable, and strategic to and through a fast changing and growth oriented world. Dr. Simpson is also the creator and administrator of ConnectIO: A directory for industrial and organizational psychology professionals to connect to other professional individuals and work groups. This directory was created to invite professionals including human resources, government leaders, corporate leaders, small businesses, and professionals from all backgrounds to freely connect with industrial and organizational psychology to help solve their problems at work, connect for job in project opportunities, or just simply explore the world of I-O psychology with an experienced professional. |
Temea Simmons-Collins has over 22 years of experience working in law enforcement environments, which includes 17 years as an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist and 5 years as a senior-level leader in human capital management. As an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist, Temea was Chief of the Promotions Assessment Branch within the Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Personnel Research and Assessment Division. She provided consultative support in organizational effectiveness and strategic planning; managed large-scale promotions testing programs; developed and validated competency models; managed the review, analysis, and dissemination of agency-wide employee surveys; and designed and managed assessments for leadership development programs. Since 2015, Temea has served as the Deputy Executive Director leading talent acquisition and management for CBP’s approximately 63,000 employees. Temea’s extensive years of human capital management and leadership experience enables her and her team to execute data-driven and innovative talent acquisition strategies that create robust hiring pipelines and meet organizational goals. Temea believes that it is the responsibility of all leaders to commit to continuous self-improvement and to help brighten the pathways of others as they tap into their purposeful life. As such, Temea serves as a human capital strategist, diversity and inclusion leader, performance and leadership coach, mentor, and life learner. Temea is a strong advocate of Blacks in I/O! She applauds the commitment of the organization to provide networking opportunities for its members and to explore further those issues and experiences in the workforce that have a great impact on African Americans. Temea holds a Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Radford University and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University (“Aggie Pride”). |
Preston Lindsay is an organizational psychologist and professor and who specializes in antiracist organizational development and change management with more than 10 years of executive leadership in both the nonprofit and corporate sectors. Professor Lindsay is a professor of industrial-organizational psychology in the Masters of Professional Studies I/O Psychology program at the University of Maryland, College Park, and is on faculty at several other institutions. Professor Lindsay’s current research centers on human behavior and systems in the workplace. His research takes a phenomenological and constructivist approach to examining how organizational trauma influences worker performance. Presently, Professor Lindsay serves also serves as Managing Partner and Principal Consultant of Conducere, an organizational development consulting firm that employs anti-racist, and anti-oppressive organizational development techniques to help our clients navigate complex and transformational organizational changes. In his personal time, Professor Lindsay offers his organizational development expertise by chairing a few boards of community-based, social justice organizations. |
In order to appreciate the entirety of our journey, it is essential that we take the time to highlight our humble beginnings. Thus, here is the story of how ‘Blacks in I/O’ helped me attain a career goal I have been struggling to achieve. Bethannie Jamerson received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hampton University in 2017. When the final semester of senior year arrived, there was room for one more elective and Intro to I/O Psychology happened to fit perfectly with her schedule. Being able to apply psychological theories and methods to resolve conflicts in the workplace and improve the overall well-being of employees was the ideal career to fulfill her purpose of serving others. She went on to pursue her Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Valdosta State University. After she completed the program she felt like she was ready to start working in the field, but it seemed as if companies did not agree. She received rejection after rejection with the reason being “you just don’t have enough experience”… but that was the reason she was applying; to gain valuable experience. For a year post graduation, she was stuck in the loop hole of “you don’t have enough experience, but we also aren’t willing to take a chance on you and give you the experience”. That was until she stumbled upon ‘Blacks in IO’ on LinkedIn and immediately reached out to Macy Cheeks. They set up an appointment, talked over a few things relevant to the job search and her current situation and she received some great professional advice. The next week she received a job positing from Blacks in IO, sent her resume to the corresponding contact and received an interview. Within three days the Chief Learning Officer was calling back to extend a job offer. Bethannie says: “We often hear “it’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know” and this was demonstrated in this case. I am so fortunate that I stumbled across this organization on LinkedIn and connected with Macy. With her help and the support of Blacks in IO, I was able to achieve something that I have been trying to achieve for a year, in less than 2 weeks. I am a proud member of this organization and looking forward to growing with such amazing professionals!” |
Kyana Beckles is the CEO of Leverage Assessments. Her combined experience in recruitment, employment selection, organizational development projects and technology make for a unique suite of offerings. She offers a unique perspective on the challenges of the selection systems. Her expertise is a necessary compliment to your diversity goals. Kyana is the best person to call when you want to:
Kyana has a Masters in Industrial Organizational Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, she is a certified Credentialing Specialist with the Institute of Credentialing Excellence. She has 10+ plus years consulting organizations in business development, organizational restructuring, downsizing, turnover, transformative leadership, selection, assessment, entry level, promotions and executives assessments, exam management and recruitment. As the owner of Leverage Assessments, she leads a diverse team of psychometricians, clinicians, and technologists. The company has serviced clients in a variety of states across the Americas and abroad; to include, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Illinois, Singapore and India. Leverage Assessments solutions are scalable for companies small, large and in between. |
2019 Spotlight Members
Mr. Kenny Jordan, a native of Lathrup Village, Michigan, has over five years of experience in transformational leadership, training development and statistical analysis. |
Confirming her passion through the marriage of psychology and business with a hint of statistics, Alexis Avery, M.A. has an abundance of experience in employee engagement, organizational assessment, and data analytics.
After she earned her Masters in Industrial/Organizational Psychology in 2017 from the University of Georgia, she moved to D.C. and now works in the Personnel Research and Assessment Division for U.S Customs and Border Protection managing the Border Patrol promotions assessment program, agency wide exit survey, job analysis, and other organizational transformative initiatives. |
Dalyn Allen, M.S. has over 5 years of experience and an established wealth of knowledge in data analysis, data reporting, and data visualization. Dalyn earned a Master of Science degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from University of Baltimore and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Morgan State University. He is a member of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) and he holds a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification. |
Jasmine Duke, MPS has been working in the I/O psychology field for 6 years with a focus and expertise on employee engagement and workplace culture transformation. Since receiving her Masters in I/O from UMBC in 2014, she has worked on the national employee engagement team for USPS headquarters and currently on the global employee engagement team for Lockheed Martin. |
© 2025 Blacks in Industrial Organizational Psychology, Inc. | Privacy Policy | Harassment Policy
Blacks in 1/O is a certified 501(c)(3) non-profit. Your membership fee will be considered tax deductible as a charitable contribution. No goods or services will be exchanged for your contribution.