In this episode, we hear how Tatia Mays-Russell evolved accidentally from her engineering/industrial start to several senior management positions in the sports world. Currently Chief Financial Officer at the Major League Baseball Players Association, she was prepared for a pivot when unexpected opportunities came her way, then charted her course intentionally through significant challenges, boldness, attention to brand and monitoring her impact daily.
Currently Chief Financial Officer at the Major League Baseball Players Association, Tatia’s focus on several sports organizations throughout her career was originally a happy accident, a result of her helping a friend’s sports apparel company. Her B.S in Material Science Engineering would suggest a different path – the science and industrial space where she started. She discovered the key was to be prepared for an appealing pivot.
As a black woman in business and not an athlete, even having earned an MBA, her overall challenges required her to work harder, be well prepared, show high competence and brand herself well. And the challenges made her bolder and resilient. She has been able to guide culture and drive innovation in a variety of industries including sports, transportation, media, publishing and service organizations.
Her core values are: desire for continuous learning; compassion; provide opportunity for others; always do your best; and practice humility.
Tatia defines a work legacy as what she’d like people to think of her; what people say when you’re not in the room; and most importantly, what impact she had on others. Diligently she monitors her impact daily. That’s dedication! – to making a positive difference, and course correct when necessary.
With several senior executive positions under her belt, Tatia’s legacy journey continues with sharpening leadership skills and fueling her participation on more Boards, both non-profit and for-profit. They will be fortunate to have her.
Takeaways
Think seriously about the types of people and organizations you want to work with.
Be bold, resilient and full of integrity.
Use your success to serve. She asks herself regularly what service she has provided for others.
Quotes
“My actions are data points to me.”
“Be a member of the change culture.”
“Use your success to serve and to provide opportunity.”
Bio
Tatia Mays-Russell is a senior operations and finance executive with a strong record of cultivating change, guiding culture and driving innovation in several industries including sports, transportation, media, publishing and service organizations. She partners with business leadership to develop and lead strategic initiatives for start-ups, turnarounds and high growth scenarios. Tatia has worked in executive positions at Pfizer, the NBA, the National Lacrosse League, Scholastic, Deloitte and New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Currently, she is the Chief Financial Officer of the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Tatia holds a Bachelor of Science in Materials Engineering from Cornell University and an MBA from University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
She is an active member of several community service-focused organizations including serving as Audit Chair on both the Board of Studio in a School, which fosters New York City youth’s creative and intellectual development and the USA Badminton Board.
How to Reach Tatia
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tatia-mays-russell-5a86362/
Email: tmaysrussell@gmail.com