Meet our dynamic speakers at the Polished Women Shine Event, minority women’s empowerment experience. Saturday, June 17, 5 pm-8 pm, @ MBar. Panel discussions include Advancing Your Professional Brand; Navigating the Corporate Landscape; Shattering Millennial Stereotypes; and Stepping Out on Faith. Tickets to the RSVP-only event can be purchased online at Polished17.eventbrite.com.
Capacity2 - Briefing and Facilitation training slides
Polished Women Shine
1. MERCEDES MILLER • KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Executive Director, Georgia International Convention Center
As Executive Director of the Georgia International Convention
Center (GICC), Mercedes Miller feels privileged to be in the
business of “facilitating the dreams of others” for their meetings
and events. Overseeing combined operating and capital budgets
totaling more than $17 million annually, Miller leads a team of
110 full- and part-time employees whose mission is to deliver
world-class experiences for each one of the 750,000 people who
annually visit the GICC for conferences, meetings, and other events.
Miller’s successful career spanning nearly three decades has earned her numerous
accolades, including Who’s Who in Black Atlanta, Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Top
100 Leaders in Hospitality, 100 List of Most Powerful and Influential Women by
Women Looking Ahead Magazine, and the Oscar Burnett Award for Distinguished
Achievement In Business from her alma mater Morris Brown College.
Beginning her hospitality career in marketing at the Stouffer Waverly Hotel in Cobb
County, Miller soon became a Sales Manager. She became part of the opening A-team
for the Stouffer Concourse Hotel (now known as the Renaissance Concourse Hotel) at
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Her demonstrated success in these
roles led her to the GICC, where she served as a National Sales Manager. In 1997,
the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau hired her as National Sales Manager for the
Airport area. Two years later, Miller rejoined the GICC as its Director of Sales, then
Assistant Executive Director and later took the helm as Executive Director.
Active in community organizations, Miller serves on several boards including the
College Park Destination Marketing Organization, Board of Directors for the
Motherless Daughters Foundation, the Atlanta Airport Chamber Board of Directors,
the Clayton County Chamber Board of Directors, as well as the Fulton County Board
of Ethics. She is a member of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM),
the Professional Conference Management Association (PCMA), the American Society
of Association Executives (ASAE) and the National Coalition of Black Meeting Plan-
ners (NCBMP). Miller is a frequent inspirational speaker, specializing in topics such as
cross-generational leadership, human resources management, career advancement and
various “Big Picture, Big Thinker” new ideas.
Miller is a Certified Mediator for the State of Georgia. She graduated from the
International Association of Venue Managers’ Graduate Institute and attended
Morris Brown College. She is a native of Atlanta who loves her Atlanta Falcons!
2. LATOYA VEZIA
Senior Marketing Manager, The Home Depot
LaToya Vezia is a Senior Marketing Manager at The Home De-
pot, Inc. with responsibility for marketing and brand strategies
and campaigns. Before joining The Home Depot, she served in
marketing, PR, and digital marketing roles in various indus-
tries. She received her bachelor’s degree and an MBA from
Georgia State University. In addition, she is a member of the
American Marketing Association, The Home Depot Women’s
Link, and National Black MBA Association. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and
spending time with her son.
CHRISTIE J. STEPHENS
Change Communication Strategist, North Highland
Christie Stephens has held numerous positions in the private,
public, and non-profit sectors. As an Organizational Change
Strategist for North Highland Worldwide Consulting, she
focuses on helping organizations identify and tailor their culture
and employee engagement to drive business strategy.
Mrs. Stephens has over 15 years of experience in strategic
change/communications, data-driven culture transformation strategy, staff training and
development, org design, business process improvement, public speaking and large-
scale transformations service delivery. She’s provided exceptional consultation services
for The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Deloitte & Touche LLP Consult-
ing, and most recently, The Coca-Cola Company.
She prides herself on being a self-directed leader and team player that can cultivate
effective working relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders. Mrs. Stephens grew up
in the greater Atlanta area and graduated with a degree in communications from Clayton
State University. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, college
football, yoga and traveling.
She believes one’s attitude sets the direction for the course we choose to take in life.
The right attitude, faith, and persistence are keys to soar above mediocrity to excellence
where one can reap the highest and best rewards the Lord gives.
3. ERICA DIAS • GUEST SPEAKER
Publicist, Author
Erica Dias, a native of Richmond, CA, is an Author of an inspi-
rational book titled; FAITH IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT and the
co-founder of The B Firm: PR, which is a PR & Marketing firm.
Although her first love and passion are fashion, she didn’t just
stop at wardrobe styling. With an extensive resume providing
wardrobe styling for Comcast & Doritos commercials, hit TV
shows on networks like BET and Vh1 Erica decided to grow in
other areas to continue her love for the industry.
She decided to not only expand her brand but also help heighten theirs. With over ten
years of experience in the fashion and beauty industry, she knows the ins and outs of
what it takes to develop a brand to the next level in all aspects. She handles all the Public
Relations and on-site Event Activations for various clients. For the past seven years,
Erica Dias has built her brand in the PR world, with features in Black Enterprise, Atlanta
Tribune, and Huffington Post, just to name a few.
Showing no signs of slowing down, Dias opened a vintage boutique called; Vintage &
More 101 and recently added Author to her titles. In the book Faith It, Until You Make
It, Dias shares her favorite inspirational quotes and sayings to help give her readers the
quick pick me up they need throughout the day to stay motivated and driven. Erica is
also a board member of the Young Belle Project helping inner-city youth reach their
goals. Keep up with Erica and her various endeavors by saying hello on Instagram @
TheBFirmPR or www.EricasTableOf20.com
or www.TheBFirmPR.com
4. TUYET TRAN
Project Manager, Interactive Marketing, The Home Depot
Tuyet Tran graduated from the University of Arizona in
2014 with a Retailing and Consumer Sciences degree.
Three weeks later, she left all she knew in Arizona to
pursue a career with the Home Depot in Atlanta. Tuyet has
now been with the company for three years working as an
Interactive Marketing Project Manager to support
Home Decorators Collection’s web, email, and retargeting
channels. Outside of her career, she enjoys working on development programs from
associate professional networks where she is an Auxiliary Board Member of PAW
(Pan Asian Waves) to youth outreach (Chapter Secretary of Vietnamese
Eucharistic Youth Movement). Hobbies include hiking, trying new foods,
and styling outfits for people.
SAMARIA DIVINE
Masterof Divinity,CandlerSchoolofTheology,EmoryUniversity
Samaria R. Divine moved to Atlanta, Ga from Monrovia,
Liberia during the country’s civil war in 2002. She attended
and graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelors
of Business Administration.
After three years in corporate America, she studied at Candler
School of Theology at Emory University and received her
Masters of Divinity. She was recognized as a Who’s Who in American Universities and
Colleges and was awarded the American Bible Society Scholarly Achievement Award
for her academic performance in the field of biblical studies. She hopes to pursue a
PhD in Hebrew Bible in the near future.
5. CAMDEN DUKES
Freshman,University of Georgia
Camden Dukes graduated with honors from DeKalb
School of the Arts with a cumulative grade point average of
4.070. Camden is an Atlanta native and will be a freshman at
the University of Georgia in the fall of 2017 as an intended
graphic design major. Her hobbies include bowling, dancing,
creating designs, and traveling.
Drawing and design is a creative gene within her family that stemmed from her
grandmother to her mother to her cousin. She has implemented strides toward
her dreams of becoming a notable graphic designer through an internship and a
shadowing opportunity. While in high school, Camden was active in school and
the community. She was in several clubs, academic and non-academic, in addition
to dancing and bowling.
At a tender age, she became involved in community service and carried this charac-
teristic with her through high school by volunteering and giving donations. She has
exemplified leadership skills by being the executive board treasurer of the Student
Government Association at her school and being a role model in her youth bowling
league. In college, Camden plans to be active on campus by joining the Black Affairs
Council, as well as other clubs, and making sure her professors can identify
“the face with the name.”
Nancy Scheel is an executive coach with Jody Michael Associ-
ates. She coaches leaders and other professionals to develop a
more conscious, intentional and personally effective approach
in the workplace. Nancy leverages 20+ years’ experience in
corporate training and development and communications,
and has earned the Professional Certified Coach designation
(International Coach Federation). LinkedIn: nancyscheel
NANCY SCHEEL
ExecutiveCoach,PersonalCoach,JodyMichaelAssociates
6. CONSUELA WILSON
SPHR, MBA, 4HRConsulting, LLC
Consuela Wilson is a Human Resources Executive who holds
an MBA and is Certified as a Senior Professional in Human
Resources (SPHR, SHRM-SCP). Consuela brings 20 years
of experience and a passion providing HR solutions for her
clients by helping them build their HR infrastructure through
technology, compliance, and people. Before starting 4HRC,
Consuela worked with equity investment companies providing
due diligence for acquisitions and mergers and has held several corporate HR leadership
positions in manufacturing, IT, global and professional services organizations.
ANDREA HARRISON
Founder, AJH Enterprises LLC, Ebay store - Its In A Clutch
Andrea is a retail veteran who turned her hobby of selling on
Ebay into a successful online handbag store. She was working
for Macy’s as a Media Buyer when she was informed that they
would be relocating to New York. In 2009, she was informed
Macy’s corporate would be relocating to New York, and she
would be laid off. Since moving to New York was not an
option, instead of being fearful, she decided to embrace this
new opportunity and become a full-time entrepreneur which allowed her flexibility
and the ability to spend more time with her son.
Seven years later, her company, In A Clutch is still thriving on Ebay and Andrea has
expanded her current inventory to luggage and accessories. She is also in the process
of adding a consignment service and selling bags for other buyers. She was a panelist
at “Afro-tech” representing Ebay, has been featured in Ebay sellers spotlights, and in
several articles and podcasts. Andrea currently lives in Lithonia and her son Aydan just
completed his first year at Georgia Southern.
7. JOI DUKES
Journalist, 41NBC/WMGT
Joi Dukes is a vibrant young news reporter in Macon,
Georgia working at local cable station 41NBC/WMGT. She
is an Atlanta native and a recent graduate of the Florida State
University as of April 2016. Joi earned her Bachelors of Arts
degree in Communication/Media Studies as well as a minor
in Journalism from Florida A&M University.
Joi is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She enjoys
singing, writing, watching movies, and listening to music. But storytelling is her
real passion. In 2014, she was featured in Bill Duke’s Dark Girls, an inspiring and
breathtaking photo book that celebrates dark-skinned women, based on the NAACP
Award–nominated documentary Dark Girls. Joi’s background in broadcast goes
far beyond her experience in the field. Being the daughter of former NFL Network
Sports Analyst Jamie Dukes, broadcasting is in her DNA. She hopes to become a
major network television anchor in the future.
SABRINA M. GREEN
Sr. Director Hum an Resources, The Home Depot
Sabrina Green currently serves as the Sr. Director of
Human Resources at The Home Depot, Inc. In this role,
she is responsible for developing and implementing human
resources initiatives that support the Merchandising
organization’s strategic goals and objectives. Throughout
her tenure with the Company, Sabrina has developed and
implemented initiatives that support the strategic growth of
the organization. Some examples include opening and closing of new concept stores,
designing and implementing a talent management strategy, career pathing framework
and learning programs.
Sabrina’s goal is to foster an environment that values diversity and promotes associate
engagement. She has 28 years of human resources experience and has held a variety
of human resources positions in various companies. Sabrina is also passionate about
community service. She has served on several nonprofit boards which focus on wom-
en and children. These organizations include Atlanta Girls Foundation; Northwest
Georgia Girl Scout Council; Quality Care for Children, DeKalb Workforce Board,
and the Atlanta Women’s Foundation.
In 2002, Sabrina was appointed by Governor Barnes in 2002 to serve on the
Commission for Service and Volunteerism.
8. MELISSA BROWN
Sr. Manager Marketing, The Home Depot
Melissa Brown is Senior Manager, Marketing at The Home
Depot. Since joining in 2003, her leadership role has expand-
ed to include, Multicultural Marketing, Regional Marketing,
and National Workshops. Today, she plays an integral role in
leading the overall strategy for each of these areas including a
variety of integrated partnerships.
She is the founder and visionary leader of the Home Depot’s Retool Your School cam-
pus improvement grant program, which offers Historically Black Colleges and Univer-
sities (HBCUs) the opportunity to apply for grants that provide sustainable renovations
to their campuses. Founded in 2010, this award-winning social media platform has
received the American Advertising Federation’s 2013 Mosaic Award in the area of
best “Multi-ethnic Interactive Media, the city of Atlanta’s 2014 Phoenix Award, and a
proclamation acknowledgment by The White House Initiative on HBCUs in 2015.
For her outstanding work in handling a wide-ranging portfolio of bold and creative
marketing strategies, Ms. Brown has earned recognition from within the industry
and beyond. In 2007, she received exceptional recognition from the ADCOLOR
Coalition, a leading trade association that recognizes outstanding achievement among
multicultural executives within the advertising, marketing and media industries and
most recently, she was recognized as one of Black Enterprise Magazine’s Top African
American women in Marketing and Advertising.
Her leadership extends beyond The Home Depot. Ms. Brown contributes to many
organizations and charities, which includes serving on the marketing committee for
Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree
in Marketing from Strayer University and is the proud mother of three sons; Ethan,
Avery, and Blake.
9. KADIAN FAULKNER- LANGLAIS
Retail and eCommerce Business Leader & Strategist
Kadian Langlais is an accomplished retail executive known
for developing creative solutions to today’s retail challenges.
She has extensive experience in buying, planning, merchan-
dising, retail strategy, eCommerce, and has executed multiple
strategies for customer acquisition and retention sales growth
and improved profitability.
Her retail expertise spans department stores, eCommerce, club, mass, and travel retail.
Recently Kadian led Kayser-Roth Corporation’s #1 company initiative to achieve
eCommerce growth and expand distribution. Kadian also lead the team in procuring
and implementing a POS system that aggregates retail sales from multiples channels and
retailers into one depository. This system will allow Kayser-Roth real-time customer and
sales data to successfully create effective product strategies, maximize opportunities and
limit liability.
Kadian is now an independent retail consultant and advisor, bringing her extensive
experience to emerging brands, bridging the gap between product inception and retail
execution. Her retail solutions focus on the consumer, impacting purchase intent and
drive point of purchase in a seamless omni-channel environment, integrating in-store,
digital, and social media touch points. With this exclusive approach, your brand will be
fully positioned for success and growth.
CHENITA JARRETT
Children’s Author, Program Specialist, Fulton County Public Schools
Children’s Author, Chenita Jarrett is an Atlanta native who was
inspired to pen her debut book from her daily classroom ob-
servations. As a former elementary school teacher, she worked
closely with students. Today Chenita supports students as a
district administrator in a metro Atlanta school district.
As an educator, she has created and participated in mentoring
programs in schools where students were encouraged to be
well behaved and participated in community service projects.
Over the course of her career, she received the school-wide Dedication Award as well
as the Teacher of the Year Award. Chenita has been a member of Destiny Metropolitan
Church for over seven years where she enjoys serving in the youth ministry.
She also serves as an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, a
non-profit organization founded on Christian principles. She has a Bachelor’s degree
in Early Childhood and is currently pursuing her doctorate in education at Kennesaw
State University. Whenever Chenita has the time, she enjoys drawing, painting and
working with children.