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"Bringing Your Whole Self to Work" With Dr. M.L. Black
Keynote
​Wednesday, November 20, 2019  |  9:30 am–10:30 am  |  Americana Ballroom

What does leadership mean to the future of technology in philanthropy? How are you building your own authentic form of stewardship? Grounding TAG2019 in the potential for social change when we bring our whole selves to work and to leadership, Dr. Black's session will reinvigorate your career trajectory and commitment to professional growth.

Known as “the Maximizer,” Dr. M.L. Black is sought after for her ability to help executives, entrepreneurs and organizations reach their fullest potential, helping them develop, revitalize, and transform programs into industry-leading practices with authenticity and accountability.
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​REFLECTION PANEL WITH Q&A

Presenter

• Dr. M.L. ​Black, CEO, Tandem Spring

Reflection Panel

• José Aron-Diaz, Director - Information Technology Solution Deliver, The Rockefeller Foundation
• Ify Mora, Director, Program Operations, Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies
• Erica Renstrom, Operations & IT Manager, Austin Community Foundation

• ​Dr. M.L. ​Black
• José Aron-Diaz
• Ify Mora
• ​Erica Renstrom

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Few have ever seen a person jump nearly a foot above their own height. Fewer still have done it. But, it is exactly that kind of exceptionalism that embodies Dr. M.L. Black and her work. Her phenomenal athleticism was discovered when she was just a tyke, but the hard work, planning, and discipline that developed her into a world-class athlete have continued to be the foundational pillars of her work long after she hung up her cleats, which she no longer brings to the office. 

Since retiring from high jump, where she was a four-time All-American and three-time captain of the University of Michigan’s Women’s Track Team, Dr. M.L. Black has gone on to pick up two Masters degrees from Ohio State University and a Ph.D. in Community Psychology from DePaul University, worked as an executive at one of the country’s top-rated hospital systems, and launched two businesses and a non-profit. 

Known as “the Maximizer,” Dr. Black is sought after for her ability to help executives, entrepreneurs and organizations reach their absolute fullest potential, helping them develop, revitalize, and transform programs into industry-leading practices with authenticity and accountability.

Proud recipient of the 2012 Global Girls Women and Girls Inspiring Change Award, the Ohio State University Health Services’ Management & Policy Leadership Award, the DePaul University Women Spirit & Action Award (twice), ChicagoNow’s list of Chicagoans to Watch in 2015, she has also been featured in People with Panache, and the Big Ten Medal of Honor.

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José is Director of IT Solution Delivery at The Rockefeller Foundation, where Jose leads the planning, directing, and executes the implementation of all computer applications and user-facing services. José also provides expertise in project management and agile practices for IT and broader organization.

Before working in the philanthropic sector, José spent 9 years in various technology roles in the private sector. These roles mostly focused on helping small to medium size organizations implement new technologies or managing product development for software companies.

José is a certified project manager and agile practitioner, and former marathoner. José has retired his shoes to focus on being a new dad (may pick them up soon).

José has a bachelor’s degree from Marist College and a masters in sustainability management from The New School. ​

Ify Mora joined Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP) in August 2018 as Director, Program Operations. In this role, Ify works with Program leadership and other cross-functional colleagues to ensure the effective implementation and improvement of MACP grantmaking policies, practices, and processes.

Ify previously was Director of Operations at the Barr Foundation. She joined Barr as an Associated Grantmakers Diversity Fellow in 2009, then served in a variety of roles until her appointment, in 2014, as Director of Operations. In that role, Ify was responsible for ensuring the smooth day-to-day operations of the Foundation, working in close partnership with staff across the organization. As part of that work, she oversaw the design and implementation of an integrated grants, document, and contract management system. She also designed and implemented data analytics software and reporting and provided oversight to the operations and grants management team.

Ify holds a bachelor’s degree in quantitative economics and Spanish from Tufts University and a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University. She chairs the 2019 Learning Conference Planning Committee for Grantmakers for Effective Organizations and is a member of the GuideStar Advisory Board and the Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University Advisory Board.

Erica is Operations & IT Manager at Austin Community Foundation, where she leads the optimization of systems and technology that increase ACF’s ability to serve the Central Texas community. She finds particular fulfillment in designing systems that not only increase efficiency, but unite the important work of each team to elevate the whole organization.

Erica participated as a mentee in TAG's 2019 Emerging Leaders Initiative cohort, which proved highly valuable to her recent implementation of new fund accounting and grants management systems. Prior to joining the foundation world, Erica worked at a therapeutic horsemanship center in Dallas. In her free time, Erica enjoys being out in nature with her horse and two dogs.