Executive Leadership Team

Explore the driving force behind our association’s success. Get to know the dedicated individuals who lead the National Black Master Business Association towards empowerment, growth, and innovation. Learn about their diverse backgrounds, expertise, and unwavering commitment to advancing black-owned businesses across the nation. Meet the visionaries shaping our collective future today!

Orlando Ashford

NBMBAA Interim CEO and Board Director

Orlando Ashford is a C-suite executive, Board Director, and Interim CEO of the National Black MBA Association, with a 30-year career spanning leadership roles at several Fortune 500 companies. Most recently, Ashford served as Chief People Officer for global digital sports platform Fanatics until his retirement in December 2024. During his time there, he oversaw all aspects of human resources as the company grew to 22,000 employees and expanded into new lines of business. This included professionalizing and standardizing past HR practices and overseeing a digital systems transformation for Human Capital Management.

In addition to leading talent acquisition, employee and organizational development, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and internal and external communications for Fanatics, Ashford also spearheaded the development of the Fanatics Foundation and Fanatics’ first-of-its-kind partnership with Make-A-Wish. In becoming the wish-granting organization’s official sports partner, Fanatics supported nearly 400 wishes in less than one year. Ashford also developed and launched Fanatics’ Athlete Immersion Program, which provides professional athletes with skills-building and networking opportunities to prepare them for a career after their playing days have ended.

Before joining Fanatics, Ashford served as president of Holland America Line, where he led the award-winning cruise line’s brand and business, including its fleet of premium vessels spanning all seven continents. In this role, Ashford also oversaw the company’s sales and marketing, revenue management, deployment and itinerary planning, public relations, hotel operations, and strategy. Ashford was widely credited within the cruise industry for re-energizing the Holland America brand, innovating the guest experience, and transforming the corporate culture to embrace inclusion, diversity, and creativity.

Prior to this, Ashford was at Marsh & McLennan Companies, where he served as president of the Talent Business Segment for Mercer, the global consulting leader in talent, health, retirement, and investments, as well as senior vice president, chief human resources and communications officer of Mercer’s parent company, Marsh & McLennan Companies.Before this, Ashford was group director of human resources and vice president, Corporate Center human resources and cultural transformation for The Coca-Cola Company, with a global team spanning 90 countries.

Dr. Tan Morales

Chief Learning Officer

Dr. Tan Morales brings two decades of leadership and learning in the areas of Change & Innovation, Talent and Leadership Development, and Data & Analytics as she spent many years in the Finance vertical prior to making the move to the Human Resources space. She currently serves on two corporate and one non-profit board advancing and amplifying the voices of the underserved.

Harold Reid

Vice President, Brand

Harold Reid, a seasoned brand and marketing executive, brings 20+ years of global experience. As VP of Brand for the National Black MBA Association, he leads marketing, communications, and PR efforts. His leadership ensures the NBMBAA remains a powerful voice advancing economic and professional development for African Americans in business.

Elaine Richardson, CMP

Vice President, Conference and Events

As VP of Conference and Events at NBMBAA, Elaine leads strategy, planning, and execution of in-person events. She oversees the Annual Conference, Career Expo sales, and Job Board. Additionally, she manages the membership department, focusing on growth and retention, and supports the organization’s full live events portfolio, including Leaders of Tomorrow and board meetings.

Marshall Norwood

Vice President, Finance

Serving as the Chief Financial Officer, Marshall brings extensive financial leadership experience from roles at The Atlanta Botanical Garden, Purpose Built Communities, and Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. His background includes serving as Budget Director for Georgia and Controller at WSB-TV. He holds a B.A. from Morehouse College and specializes in finance and budgeting.

Paula Fontana

Vice President, Corporate Partner Development

Paula leads the team whose efforts are to drive revenue growth through sponsorship and fund development. Paula is responsible for creating and executing a Sponsorship Strategy that identifies and pursues candidate organizations, packages association assets for presentation to those organizations, and fulfills sponsorship agreements.

Nyisha Hunt

Chief of Staff

Nyisha Hunt, Chief of Staff at NBMBAA, leads the CEO’s office and partners with the Executive Team and Board to advance key initiatives. Formerly Business Program Manager at Enboarder, she brings 10+ years of strategic leadership across nonprofits, sports, entertainment, HCM, and startups, driving business growth in diverse, high-impact executive environments.