Congratulations Renee' and Ronelle for graduating from The Advanced Leadership Institute’s Executive Leadership Academy

We are pleased to congratulate Renee', Sr. Manager, Pharmacy Community Relations and Ronelle, Director, HR Business Partner on their recent graduation from The Advanced Leadership Institute's (TALI) Executive Leadership Academy!

The Executive Leadership Academy is presented by The Advanced Leadership Institute in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University. This program is specially curated for Black professionals to help them enhance their hard and soft skills necessary for effective leadership and executive advancement. The 12-session program covers various topics such as executive presence and managerial effectiveness, organizational culture, negotiation strategy, mentorship and feedback, and building successful teams.

Let’s hear about their experience:

Renee' Richardson

Sr. Manager, Pharmacy Community Relations

Obsessed about serving Guests for 17 years.

Dr. Renee' Richardson is leading the Giant Eagle Pharmacy Team’s Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity (IE&D) strategy, supporting community partnerships, and overseeing Giant Eagle’s community-based residency and fellowship program. Upon graduating from Duquesne University School of Pharmacy in 2009, Dr. Richardson completed a PGY1 community-based residency program with Giant Eagle, Duquesne University, and Pfizer. She started her career at Giant Eagle Pharmacy in 2005 as a pharmacy technician later becoming a pharmacy intern. Her favorite role is being a wife and a mother to three boys! She was honored as one of “The New Pittsburgh Courier’s Fab 40” in 2010, Pennsylvania Pharmacists Associations’ Top 10 Under 10 in 2017, and Top Women in Grocery Rising Star by Progressive Grocer in 2021.

How did you become involved in The Advanced Leadership Institute Executive Leadership Academy?

The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI) Executive Leadership Academy was an opportunity presented to me by Giant Eagle to contribute to my professional development goals. I knew a few people that participated in TALI in the past and had nothing but great things to say about their experience, so I immediately knew it was something I wanted to be part of.

Describe your experience in the TALI Executive Leadership Academy.

Going through TALI’s Executive Leadership Academy was an amazing experience that gave me the opportunity to network and form relationships with other Black professionals in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. We got access to an executive mentor, an executive coach, and amazing educators that armed us with tools to navigate the workplace and engaged us in discussions that allowed our cohort to share like experiences and support one another.

Now that you’ve graduated, what are your biggest takeaways from this program? Do you feel more prepared to achieve your professional goals?

My biggest takeaway from the program is that TALI never ends! I am now part of a dynamic alumni network that includes all the previous TALI cohorts. TALI also offers development and networking events to support alumni and helps us to reach our professional goals. I do feel I have more tools to support my professional goals. The things I have learned during the Executive Leadership Academy allows me to be thoughtful to my approach at work and to support my team.

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Ronelle Robinson

Director, HR Business Partner

Obsessed about serving Guests for 20 years.

Ronelle Robinson supports all the people related matters for the technology teams at Giant Eagle, which involve building short and long-term goals within our transformation journey. Most recently, Ronelle began leading the creation of Giant Eagle’s Global Capability Center, while focusing on new processes to assure its success. Ronelle earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resource Management from Slippery Rock University. In addition to her work with IT, Ronelle also leads “Career Coaches” program assisting corporate professionals driving development and performance within the organization. She strongly supports diversity efforts since 2008 and currently is President of Giant Eagle’s Black Leaders and Collaborative Collective (B.L.A.C.C) Business Resource Group.

How did you become involved in The Advanced Leadership Institute Executive Leadership Academy?

My direct leader is a graduate of the program, she shared information about the program and recommended it as a program that would benefit my growth and development.

Describe your experience in the TALI Executive Leadership Academy.

The experience was unforgettable. The bond you create with your cohorts is something that is indescribable, not to mention the ability to share, debate and be vulnerable about your experience as a professional in the Pittsburgh area.

Now that you’ve graduated, what are your biggest takeaways from this program? Do you feel more prepared to achieve your professional goals?

The biggest takeaways for me were building your brand, living within your mission and constantly being innovative. These were small things that were discussed during our course sessions but significant and something that will contribute to my support in leading transformation efforts.

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Learn More About The Executive Leadership Academy Here