Michael C. McNeil
President
Michael C. McNeil is a proven leader that is known for executing and getting the job done by inspiring and enabling his team to perform to the best of their abilities.
He is the former Vice President, Global Privacy for Pitney Bowes. In this capacity, McNeil led the development of the global privacy and information security policies, procedures, practices and guidelines for the company. Prior to this assignment, McNeil was the former Chief Privacy Officer, Vice President of Data Services for Reynolds & Reynolds. During this tenure, he broke new ground in the privacy arena by linking privacy and security with data integration to drive business growth.
McNeil is a noted privacy expert, he has conducted in-house training and presentations for clients and presented at automotive and privacy conferences worldwide. A frequently quoted subject matter expert, he has appeared in the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) Privacy Advisor, Yahoo! Finance, Collision Week, Collision Repair Industry Insight, Dealer’s Edge and Ward’s Dealer Business. He was a featured speaker at the Vontu web cast, “Secrets to a successful PCI Audit, Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) 6th Annual CLE Expo, Brown Raysman’s Second Annual Conference on Global Privacy and Data Security and the Second Annual Privacy and Data Security Summit in Washington, DC and the 8th Annual National Conference – Privacy Managing the New Revolution.
McNeil is the co-author of “Gain a Competitive Edge by Using Customer Data Responsibly and Effectively,” a White Paper developed with Northwood University. He was also awarded with a Special Achievement Award from Reynolds for the successful launch of their Generations Series product. In addition to his expertise in the automotive industry, McNeil has a wide array of award-winning experience in the healthcare and telecommunications industries. He led the Procedure Marketing group of Ethicon Endo-Surgery, a Johnson & Johnson Company, where he was recognized with the Special Achievement Award. At Ameritech, McNeil served as Director of Strategic Competitive Analysis, where he received the Consumer & Information Services Special Achievement Award.
A native Chicagoan, McNeil holds a B.S. in marketing from University of Illinois and an M.B.A. from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. He is a lifetime member of both the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. As president of the NBMBAA-WGC, he recently led the organization through a revitalization, which awarded the organization the 2007 & 2008 Chapter of the Year. McNeil also serves on the local board of both organizations in officer positions.
He is also is a member of the Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF) and served as their Vice Chairperson. He was named one of “America’s Best & Brightest Young Business and Professional Men” by Dollars and Sense Magazine. McNeil also actively serves in the community as a member of the 100 Black Men of Stamford Chapter and a graduate of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce Leadership 2002 program.
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Tanya Mahan
VP, Operations
Tanya Mahan is currently a Sr. Project Manager in the Records Information Management / Document Processing Solutions organization at Pitney Bowes Management Services. In this role, Tanya manages the implementation and execution of RIM/DPS projects related to records inventory management, scanning and indexing services and also provides consultive services to large customers on their DPS and RIM requirements. These customers range from domestic locations only to global footprints and require a global approach to their solutions from PBMS. Tanya works at all levels of the organization to build solutions that address corporate process improvements.
Tanya has worked for Pitney Bowes since 1994. Tanya held a number of positions with Pitney Bowes including E-mail Administrator, PBMS Y2K Coordinator, Quality Assurance Engineer, IT Project Manager where she managed projects spanning from implementation of new Pitney Bowes service offerings to significant cost reduction projects and Engineering Project Manager where she managed the software development activities of an internal, inbound tacking solution.
In 2007, Tanya joined the National Black MBA Association’s Westchester/Greater CT Chapter where she managed the Programs Committee. In this role, she was responsible for the design, implementation and execution of the professional development, corporate partnership and entrepreneur programs and events that are hosted by the chapter. Under Tanya’s leadership, the Programs Committee planned and executed two Scholarship Awards Galas, supported two Entrepreneur Summits and two Career Fairs as well as executing the monthly programs which include topics such as “Executive Coaching”, “Promoting Your Brand”, “Getting Your Financial House in Order” and the annual Pitney Bowes MBA Summit hosted as a collaboration between NBMBAA-WGC and Hartford chapters, NSHMBA CT and NY and Pitney Bowes. Tanya’s perseverance and tireless efforts were recognized at the 2009 WGC Annual Scholarship Awards Gala as she was awarded the President’s Award and then being recognized as MBA of the Year at the 2010 Annual Scholarship Awards Gala.
In 2010, Tanya was elected Vice President of Operations. In this role, she will be responsible for working directly with the Communications, Corporate Relations, Leaders of Tomorrow and Employment Committees on their respective strategic plans. In addition, she will continue to expand the chapter’s outreach and collaborative efforts with other organizations in the Fairfield and Westchester Counties. Tanya is also a mentor in the Leaders of Tomorrow Program.
Tanya graduated from Kolbe Cathedral High School in Bridgeport, CT and achieved a Bachelors degree in Sociology from Franklin & Marshall College. She has a certification in Software Engineering Management and received a MBA in Global Management from the University of Phoenix.
Tanya is the proud and busy mother of a beautiful 12 year-old daughter and resides in CT.
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Cynthia R. Mullins
VP, Administration
Cynthia R. Mullins has diverse experiences in law, education, government, non-profit and business.
Cynthia is the Legal Counsel and Chief Human Resources Officer for JMW Consultants Inc., a global management consultancy and executive development firm. She represents and counsels the firm on the full scope of legal and human resource matters for its offices in North America, Europe and Australia. Cynthia has significant experience and responsibility for a wide range of international legal and business matters including real estate management, employment, contracts, commercial and health insurance, immigration, compensation and benefits and intellectual property. Prior to JMW, Cynthia worked for the City of New York and held various roles in the Corporation Counsel’s Office, City Council and Mayor’s Office of Operations. Cynthia’s legal career started in private practice at law firms in Connecticut.
Cynthia is an adjunct business and law professor at Norwalk Community College and a former business professor for Albertus Magnus College. She teaches freshman success courses, formation and organization of business entities, business ethics, legal assistant courses, industrial organizations and business law.
Cynthia is an alumna of Phillips Exeter Academy and received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Connecticut and Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law. She has enrolled in course work at Harvard University Extension School and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Business Ethics and Compliance at the New England College of Business and Finance, scheduled to graduate in January 2011.
Called to public service at an early age, Cynthia has had the opportunity to serve the United States government on the federal, state and local levels. Some internships and appointments included: U.S. Congressional Intern, Governor’s Legislative Researcher, Corporation Counsel Co-Chairperson for Mayor’s Transition Team, Superior Court Judicial Clerk, Department of Revenue Services Intern, Alternate Police Commissioner, municipal Board of Estimate and Taxation member, and campaign manager for a state representative’s bid for office.
Cynthia is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association, Corporate Counsel Women of Color, Society for Human Resource Management, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, and serves on the Human Capital Council of the Business Council of Fairfield County and Jackie Robinson Foundation Northeast Region Scholarship Committee and Mentor. She is a former member of the Girl Scouts Council of Southwestern Connecticut board of directors, College Pathway Initiative Advisory Board at Norwalk Community College, and leadership development facilitator for INROADS. Cynthia also worked and volunteered for several years at the Urban League.
Cynthia’s interest in entrepreneurial pursuits and passionate desire to help others live life as a meaningful source of fulfillment led her to start Ladybug Retreats, a personal growth and development enterprise dedicated to the empowerment of people. Seminars and workshops on authenticity, ethics and integrity, career management, personal goals, financial management, and life skills have been held in Connecticut and Martha’s Vineyard.
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Arthy Oparaji
VP, Finance
Arthy Oparaji is a financial leader and tax practitioner. His professional career extends over 16 years in various managerial positions at Pitney Bowes, a multi-billion dollar global corporation with $6.0 Billion in annual revenue.
Currently Program Director, Finance for the Global Mail Services Division, Arthy has advanced through increasingly responsible positions in various financial and accounting functions. His current responsibilities include: providing monthly consolidation, reporting, and analysis of results of operations, including detailed identification of drivers and variance explanation; coordinating the monthly two-year rolling forecast process to gauge ability to achieve short-term profit targets, and help senior leadership provide quarterly profit guidance to the financial community; and coordinating and managing the annual budget and strategic planning processes to help achieve the organization’s revenue and costs growth objectives, among other duties.
Before his current role, Arthy was Manager, Financial Planning & Analysis responsible for coordinating the budgeting, forecasting and reporting process for the Finance Consolidation Group.
At the beginning of 2006 when the current WGC chapter president took office, Arthy was called upon to serve as Membership Chair and was charged with the responsibility to achieve new member growth of 20% and to design best-in-class programming to increase membership participation and retention. Between June 2006 and June 2007, the Chapter’s membership roster grew by an astounding 133%. This growth in membership was one of the factors that led to the Chapter’s ‘2007 Chapter of the Year Award’.
Arthy was later elected the Chapter’s Vice President, Finance and was charged with fixing the Chapter’s finances through increased financial controls, transparency, and reporting. The Chapter’s finances are now up to date, and monthly financial statements are available for review at monthly board meetings. Arthy was also instrumental in helping the Chapter secure 501(c)3 exempt status in 2007. Arthy has ensured that all required filings are completed on time, including the Chapter’s Tax Return.
Arthy earned his Bachelor of Science degree with Honors from Rutgers University, New Jersey, and an MBA in Financial Management degree from Pace University’s Lubin Graduate School of Business, New York. Arthy is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Also, Arthy is a 2007 graduate of the highly regarded Executive Leadership Council’s (ELC) ‘Pipeline Leadership Development’ Program.
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Michelle James
VP, Communications
Michelle is a highly effective executive with over 25 years of extensive marketing exeprience. She is a well organized leader with the ability to manage multiple tasks in challenging enviornments. She joined the WGC in 2007 and became involved in organizing and promoting the 2009 Golf Outing. She is charged with planning and impementing with all internal and external communication activities of the chapter, including social media.
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Geri Lyons
Chair, Corporate Relations
Gerri S. Lyons is employed with Alcon Laboratories, Inc. as a Medical Sales Representative for the White Plains, New York territory calling on doctors in the Westchester area. She has called on ENTs, Allergists, Internal Medicine, Pediatric Ophthalmologist, and Pediatricians over the last four years. Her hard work ethics and tenacious spirit has earned her to receive President Club back-to-back in 2007 and in 2008. In 2009, although she did not make president’s club she was just shy of balanced performance and within the top 15% of the sales force within her division; selling four products. She successfully launched two products while working with Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
She has well over 15 years of sales experience and has a background in Property & Casualty Insurance, Employment Services, and Health Related Industries.
Gerri has been in a number of leadership positions. Most recent she was the Past President of the New Jersey/New York Chapter of National Sales Network. Prior to being the President she was the Vice President of Events for the organization.
In her spare time she enjoys skiing, traveling, and spending time with her family
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Nicole Campbell
Chair, Programs Committee
Nicole is currently a project management consultant who has had a varied and exciting career which includes working for an online service company, local government and non-profit organizations.
Nicole has been in the information technology field for over 10 years, and worked for Prodigy Communications Corporation where she was an application test analyst and for the Westchester County government as a network engineer. Her responsibilities at Prodigy included managing a group of test analysts and controlling a series of cross-organizational projects in an Internet oriented production and development environment. At Westchester County, Nicole managed several cross-functional and high profile projects. Although Nicole enjoyed her years in the information technology arena, she decided to purse entrepreneurial endeavors and follow her passion for skin care and became a licensed skin care therapist by launching a freelance skin care service practice in Westchester County.
In 2008, Nicole joined the National Black MBA Association’s Westchester/Greater CT Chapter, where she was actively involved in planning, designing and executing professional development and entrepreneurial programs for members and corporate partners. In 2010, Nicole became the programs committee chair for the chapter.
Nicole graduated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Syracuse University where she majored in Political Science and French. Nicole enjoyed her years at Syracuse especially studying aboard for a semester in Strasbourg, France. Nicole has her MS in Telecommunications from Pace University and has her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI). She also belongs to the Westchester chapter of PMI
Nicole who lives in Westchester County, NY is fluent in French, loves to travel and ballroom dance
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Katia Barnave
Chair, Employment Committee
Katia Barnave has more than 10 years of experience in a combination of industries including health-care, clinical practice, corporate, academic, and non-profit arenas, Katia Barnave has turned around under-performing organizations, launched a successful startup, and played a key role in the growth of existing companies. She offers exceptional listening and relationship building skills, as well as a holistic and humanistic approach to management that enables her to effectively pinpoint issues, develop solutions and improve operations.
Katia has an MBA with concentration in Technology Management. She also has two undergraduate degrees in Health Administration, and as a Registered Dental Hygienist. She graduated from Florida Atlantic University. Katia is also fluent in Spanish, French and Creole.
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George Boyce
Chair, Entrepreneur Committee
George Boyce has been a proud member of the State Farm Insurance Enterprise since 1992. He is an established insurance professional with 17 plus years of experience and expertise in insurance and financial services industry. In 2002, Mr. Boyce embarked on his entrepreneurial journey by opening his own State Farm Insurance agency in Stamford, Connecticut. He has been engaged in the various professional and community based organizations. His continued involvement has earned him honors from State Farm Insurance and the community. These include,
• 2008 Black MBA Entrepreneur of the Year
• 2007 Urban League Board Member of the Year.
• State Farm Ambassador Traveler,
• 2005 City of Stamford Merchant of the Year,
Mr. Boyce not only excels at his work, he also is a proud member of various organizations. These include the,
• National Black MBA Association, Inc. WGC Chapter
• Urban League Young Professional Organization – Stamford, CT.
• National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors (NAIFA)
• National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD)
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
George has committed to giving back to the community as he lives firmly by the principal, “you can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want” (Zig Ziglar).
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Craig Woodward
Chair, Scholarship Committee
Craig Woodward’s experience spans the area of marketing with specialization in the areas of advertising, promotion, new product development and marketing strategy. His decade of experience in marketing includes working for companies such as Capitol Records, Tommy Hilfiger, BellSouth Advertising and Publishing, and Consumers Energy.
He was the former Graduate Marketing Manager for Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions. He was solely responsible for the outreach and advisement of Kaplan’s programs and services to colleges and universities amongst a five-county territory. Craig grew the business by 14% over a two-year period bringing in revenues of $1.38M and $1.5M respectively. In addition, he was awarded with the “Biggest of The Best Award” in October 2007 for having the greatest percentage increase in graduate business throughout the whole Tri-State Region.
Craig is a native of White Plains, New York. His education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from SUNY Buffalo, and an MBA in Marketing from Clark Atlanta University. He is a member of the National Black MBA Association where he chairs the Scholarship Committee. In this role, Craig works to establish relationships with community organizations and educational institutions to promote scholarships on the high school, undergraduate and MBA level.
Currently, Craig advises undergraduate business and accounting students at Monroe College on curriculum, employment and career options.
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Andrea Carter
Chair, Membership Committee
Andrea Carter is currently a Workers Compensation Analyst at General Casualty Insurance. In this role she develops and exe-cutes strategies to manage and adjudicate complex and catastrophic losses in New York and Connecticut jurisdiction; facilitate claim resolution by leveraging mitigation opportunities; identify and pursue offset opportunities including special funds, apportionment and contribution. She also conducts training seminars with focus on statutory requirements, jurisdictional issues, case law and regulations. Andrea has chaired the Member-ship Committee for the National Black MBA Association, Westchester Greater Connecticut chapter for the past two years. In this role she develops and implements strategies for membership growth and retention.
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Shemekia Taylor
Chair, Collegiate Affairs Committee
Shemekia Taylor hails from the Caribbean Island of Jamaica where she attended the prestigious Queens School. She then set her sights to New York for her tertiary education and in 2009 she graduated Cum Laude with her Bachelors degree in Hospitality Management with a minor in Marketing. While at Monroe Shemekia has always had a keen interest in being active and served as a Resident Assistant for 18 months after which she transitioned into Resident Director embracing the many cultures and personalities that come along with the title.
She is currently pursuing her Masters in Business Management at Monroe College and works as an International Admissions Recruiter. As the president of the Inter Collegiate Committee she is deter-mined to spur membership growth for the Greater Westchester National Black MBA Chapter as well as promote a sense of pride, camaraderie and professional development amongst members.
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D. Dayneen Preston, MS, PHR
Immediate Past President
Human Capital Consultant
Dayneen, a native New Yorker, currently resides in Arverne, New York. She is a certified Human Resource Professional currently working in Employee Relations for Cablevision Systems Corporation. Dayneen is also a Managing Partner in the newly created Event Planning Company called Eventsational, Inc. Prior to this Dayneen spent some time in the Non-Profit Industry in Operations and HR Management. She also consulted in the Entertainment Industry in Organizational Development and preceding these roles, Dayneen spent over 13 years in the Financial Services Industry in Human Resources and Operation Management.
She currently serves as a Mentor for the Society Human Resource Management (SHRM) professionals as well as T. Howard interns. In the past Dayneen also served as a Mentor for INROADS New York, Peer Advisor for JPMorganChase employees, Mentoring Consultant for SMART START and various Line-of-Business Mentoring Programs within The Chase Manhattan Bank.
Dayneen was a recipient of an African-American Achievement Award in recognition of Leadership to the African-American Community. She was also a recipient of the Diversity Champion of Champions Award. Dayneen has been a member of the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) since 2001 where she started as the Employment Committee Chairperson then to the VP, Administration and onto then Presidency of the Westchester/Greater Connecticut Chapter of which she held that position for four years. She is currently a chapter officer as Immediate Past President and still very active within the NBMBAA organization.
Fordham University, MS, 2000
Pace University, BBA, 1993
Borough of Manhattan Community College, AAS, 1985
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