Introducing Tyra Garlington
Author, inspirational speaker, local, national and international talk show host, business owner and survivor. They coined the term “steel magnolia” to describe a Southern woman whose delicate exterior belies an unbreakable core. Although she is not Southern by birth, Tyra Garlington’s life and professional experiences give the right to “steel magnolia” as her own.
The Cincinnati native holds a master’s in psychology from San Diego State University. Tyra has been a teacher and principal, whose belief in the ability of children to rise above their bleak surroundings helped to turn around an entire school. She has been a member of the clinical staff at University of California, San Diego, helping tormented individuals find their way to peace. She has worked at IBM as a marketing consultant for 22 years, in higher education administration, and local, state and federal governments. She has been a volunteer mentor and Education Pillar Chair on the Board of Leadership Fairfax, in Fairfax Virginia, guiding the development of the next generation of leaders and setting the course for the educational goals of the program. She continues to deposit in this and future generations through her servant leadership in Rotary International, several ministries in her church, and life skills coaching.
When Tyra enters a room, people see the smile, the style and grace. She says she is always blessed. She calms the jittery nerves of young speakers and is herself the quiet calm at the center of any storm – even those in her own life.
For Tyra Garlington, there have been many obstacles. She has suffered abuse, a brain tumor, loss, and cancer and she stood her ground against each one, calling on her unlimited faith and belief in God. In typical “steel magnolia” fashion, Tyra Garlington turned her internal pains into talks that would help others who faced insurmountable odds. She is drawn to charitable and service organizations that tackle domestic violence, homelessness and children who live in worlds they cannot control. The Steel Magnolia from the Mid-West will be there to help them.
Tyra’s believes that nothing that has happened in her life will be wasted. Her next chapter will be shaped by her need to continually learn, engage, and encourage others both personally and professionally.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
FOR GOODNESS SAKES PRODUCTIONS, LLC 1992 - PRESENT
FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT
Creative Programming for Youth. Home of the Sixth Dimension and Kosmos Kids. The Sixth Dimension is about connecting and communicating with children everywhere through the internet, video games, interactive television, social media, digital teleport through words and images to the past, present, and future. E/NU, our whimsical guide, helps children surf through time and space with complete abandon.
DELIVERED INTO DESTINY 2012 - PRESENT
FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT
Dedicated to empowerment, encouragement and enablement of intergenerational and multicultural women to live their purpose-filled lives through “Tyra Talks” speaking engagements, coaching both individuals and organizations, radio talk show, website blogs and podcasts.
FAIRFAX COUNTY OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, FAIRFAX, VA 2007 – 2012 DEPUTY DIRECTOR
Fairfax County Government sustains and improves the quality of life for 1.2 million residents through collaborative policy development and service delivery.
Provided leadership for agency operations in the areas of change and system management, performance management, strategic planning, human capital management, budget, technology, and training. System-wide outcomes include:
NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (NVCC) – Annandale, VA 2002-2007
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT & CONTINUING EDUCATION
NVCC is the largest educational institution in Virginia and the second-largest in the United States offering 160 Associate Level degrees emphasizing cultural diversity and workforce development.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES (IBM) 1977-1992; 1996-2000
EXECUTIVE MARKETING CONSULTANT, IBM GLOBAL SERVICES
Orchestrated the appropriate IBM resources required to respond to business opportunities as it evolved through a sell cycle. Provided business consulting for business transformation, project management, strategic planning, change management and cost-benefit analysis. Served as proposal manager within the Client Resource Management framework for a team of consultants with an international $5M annual services quota. Developed and maintained executive relationships with sponsors for consulting engagements.
Drove growth in market share, revenue, and profitability by collaborating with client executives and field organizations.
BIBLE BASED CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 1992 - 1995
PRINCIPAL
Took a vision (blank sheet of paper) to implementation and accreditation in 18 months. Reported to a Board of Directors.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS 1995 - 1996
PRINCIPAL
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
The University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
DIRECTOR of COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT
Set up the first community advisory board from the African-American Community.
Recruited minority students and raised scholarships for the medical school.
Awarded a grant from the Allstate Foundation which funded year-long collaboration between the Hispanic Museum, African-American Museum, College of Education and Hillsborough County Public Schools.
The University of California at San Diego, San Diego, CA
CLINICAL and PSYCHOLOGICAL STAFF MEMBER
Coordinated first statewide conference for criminal justice and allied health care professionals to provide training on new drug prevention methodologies.
University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
STUDENT AFFAIRS COORDINATOR
Presented with a grant that funded five student leaders two weeks at National Training Leadership Labs.
Served as advisor to Black Student Groups and cross-campus student orientation programs.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
HONORS & AFFILIATIONS
COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP SERVICE
See Tyra in action:
