Does a Masters Degree Enhance your Leadership Potential / Performance?

Enjoy the “voices of experience” as Don Lang and Charmaine Ward join host Alvin C. Miles to discuss how a Masters degree will help to enhance your leadership potential & performance!

Don Lang / Principal of Talent Effects

Don formed his consultancy, Talent Effects, in 2002. He specializes in executive assessment, talent acquisition strategy and process design, leadership development, coaching and customized learning programs.

Don’s began his career with stints in Human Resources at ADP and Prudential. He then held several line operations management roles in healthcare services. He later served as Director of Healthcare Services for a systems solutions firm where he worked with channel partners and medical staffs on electronic data transfer solutions. Before forming Talent Effects, Inc. in 2003, Don held the position of Managing Director for the Atlanta office of Spherion Corporation’s Human Capital Consulting Group. Don has worked with such organizations as Ascension Health, Citibank, Delta Air Lines, GE, Greenway Medical Technologies, Tenet Healthcare, Winn-Dixie and a number of small to mid-sized rapid growth companies.

Today, he also serves as a Lecturer on Human Capital Management for the Executive MBA program at Coles College of Business, Kennesaw State University, as well as a faculty member in the Managerial Coaching Certificate Program offered by Coles College of Business Executive Education.

Education:

Don received his BA in Economics with Honors from Lafayette College and an MBA from Georgia State University. He completed the Advanced Executive Coaching Program at Columbia University.

Charmaine Ward / President of the National Black MBA Association, Atlanta Chapter

Charmaine Ward is Director of Community Affairs for Georgia-Pacific, responsible for corporate philanthropy and community affairs. She manages charitable giving across the country, as well as the development of community programs and partnerships. In her role, Charmaine works closely with internal executives, as well as community, civic and government leaders to develop sustainable initiatives that create value in the communities where Georgia-Pacific employees live and work.

During her 25 plus years in corporate America, Charmaine has held senior level positions with IBM, Showtime Networks, Bank of America and John H. Harland. She has created tremendous value as a corporate leader the areas of corporate philanthropy, community affairs, diversity, marketing and sales.

Charmaine gives back by serving on various civic and community boards whose missions align with her personal passion of education, arts and entrepreneurship. She is currently serving her second term as President of the National Black MBA Association, Atlanta Chapter (the largest chapter in the country with over 1500 members). She also serves on the boards of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Atlanta Chapter; Atlanta Business League; Urban League of Greater Atlanta; True Colors Theatre; National Black Arts Festival and is Chair of PAGE (Professional Association of Georgia Educators). She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and alumni of Leadership Atlanta Class of 2001 and Leadership Georgia Class of 2011.

In addition, Charmaine is a coach and noted speaker for non-profit organizations, entrepreneur organizations and colleges/universities on topics including: leadership, managing change, financial empowerment, developing a life plan, public speaking, the art of networking, purpose & passion, soft skills in the workplace and marketing for non-profits/entrepreneurs. She is also a faculty member for Non-Profit University, Georgia Center for Non Profits.

Charmaine has received numerous awards: Torch Award from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., 100 Most Influential Black Women in Atlanta from Atlanta Business League, Local Legend from Frank Ski Kids Foundation, Champions for Success from Dress For Success, 30 Powerhouse Women-Who’s Who In Black Atlanta, 25 Women of Achievement from Rolling Out Magazine, Woman In Philanthropy from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

A native of Chicago, Charmaine is an avid reader, loves the theatre, acting and traveling to international destinations.

Education:

Charmaine graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Economics from Clark Atlanta University and earned an MBA with honors from the Executive MBA program at Kennesaw State University.