Audrey Murrell is helping develop emerging Black leaders at Pitt and beyond

Audrey J. Murrell is invested in helping organizations tap into their most valuable resources: people.

The Joseph M. Katz Graduate Business School professor of business administration has had an impressive career doing so and been sought out for her expertise by clients like IBM, FedEx, Kraft Heinz and others in the private and public sectors. Her mission?

"To have an impact by ensuring positive outcomes in the workforce," said Murrell, who also has appointments in Pitt's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and Department of Psychology.

Four years ago, she took that mission a step further by joining the faculty at The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI).

Launched in 2016 by Evan Frazier, a former senior leader at PNC, Dollar Bank and Highmark Health, who saw a lack of Black leaders at the executive level, TALI is an executive leadership academy designed to position Black Pittsburgh-based professionals for community and corporate advancement.

The program offers three tracks: Emerging Leaders, Executive Leadership and National Executive Leadership. Each track has courses that provide academic instruction on executive coaching and mentoring, networking and leadership effectiveness, over a four-to-seven-month period.

"We're providing a broad array of experiences from talented instructors and talented people and resources with which they can engage, not only during the TALI program but afterward," said Murrell. She also recognizes the importance of TALI's evidence-based model.

"It's not put together on a whim," Murrell said. "It is grounded in the key research findings such as the impact of developmental experiences, access to networks, mentors, access to sponsors - the building blocks needed to equip people to move to that next level."

The program's academic model, designed in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, brings in subject-matter experts like Murrell to teach. These individuals are respected, cutting-edge researchers and faculty from across the region and country.

The program has nearly 200 alumni, of whom 93% cited personal and professional growth as a leader from participating, while 90% said their cohort relationships significantly enhanced their professional development.

Monique Smith, manager of faculty diversity and development in the Office of the Provost, completed the program in April 2023 after learning about it through a former professional sponsor, who was part of the first executive leadership cohort.

"It was the first program I encountered that specifically targeted Black C-Suite or emerging leaders," she said.

In addition to mentorship, Smith credited the program for consistently including high-quality presenters who supported the development of her personal brand statement and creating a safe space to cultivate relationships with other emerging leaders.

"The bonds formed with my cohort members over the six months were invaluable. We continue to stay in touch and meet, when possible," she said. "Being surrounded by like-minded leaders who were equally committed to growth and learning significantly enhanced the experience."

J. Nicole Rhodes (A&S '97, LAW '01), associate legal counsel, had only heard rave reviews about the program from colleagues and friends. She chose to participate to sharpen her skills and "connect with a network of leaders who share a commitment to advancing diversity and equity." Like Smith, she found that sense of community and network was the most impactful part of TALI.

"Being able to connect with leaders from various industries gave me actionable insights that I will continue to use throughout my career," Rhodes said.

She described the program as transformative for addressing a critical gap.

"TALI is a game changer because it provides perspectives rarely offered in traditional leadership programs," she said. "It doesn't just teach leadership principles - it offers a culturally specific approach that addresses the challenges Black leaders often face in the workplace. The program goes beyond theory and really focuses on practical, actionable strategies that make a difference."

Visit the TALI website for upcoming application deadlines.

Photography by Aimee Obidzinski

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