Women United Excellence Awards Luncheon

Ivye L. Allen is an independent consultant to nonprofits and small businesses in the areas of strategic planning, fund development, and marketing. She previously served 15 years as President of the Foundation for the Mid South, a regional foundation serving Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The organization supports programs and initiatives that focus on community development, education, health and wellness, and wealth building. She was instrumental in effectively securing and managing millions in resources to support efforts throughout the region. During her tenure, the Foundation was successful in improving student outcomes throughout the region, assisting adults in securing training and certifications in jobs that paid self-sufficient wages. In addition, the Foundation partnered with organizations to improve health and wellness outcomes in selected communities. The Foundation also partnered with financial partners to teach effective fiscal management to both students and adults.

Her prior work experience includes serving as Chief Operating Officer for MDC Inc. in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Director of Fellowship Programs for the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Before working in the nonprofit arena, Ivye’s early experience was in finance and marketing positions in fortune one hundred corporations. Ivye’s education includes a Ph.D. in social policy from Columbia University; an M.S. in urban affairs from Hunter College, an MBA in marketing and international business from New York University; and a bachelor’s in economics from Howard University. She has and continues to serve on boards and advisory groups and is a member of professional and social organizations.

Tondra is currently the Senior Manager of Human Resources for the Nissan Canton Assembly plant in Canton, Mississippi. In this role, she provides strategic support to the leadership team and oversees employee relations, recruiting, employee engagement, and learning and development. Her favorite part of her career is building strong relationships with employees and facilitating their professional growth and development.

Tondra’s commitment to community service is evident through her active involvement with local organizations. She currently serves on boards for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mississippi, Children Advocacy Center of Mississippi, and the Coleman Alexander Prosser Foundation. Her dedication to giving back extends to her role in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She has served in numerous roles including membership chair, nominating chair, budget chair, financial project chair, in addition to serving on a host of committees. Additionally, Tondra is a proud member of the Madison County Executive Leadership Class of 2024 and serves on the Madison County Business League Foundation Advisory Board.

Tondra earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi. Tondra and her husband John, have two sons, Jordan, and Jarrett, who are currently students at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. The family are devoted members of Anderson United Methodist Church. 

Elizabeth (Liz) Brister is Entergy’s director of corporate social responsibility.  In this role, she oversees bill payment assistance programs and administers grants to help customers achieve economic security.  She has served in two other roles at Entergy, including the low-income customer initiative manager and the external affairs manager of Entergy Mississippi.  Brister also spent many years working in the nonprofit sector and remains actively engaged on nonprofit boards. She is currently the vice president of Keep Jackson Beautiful and past president of Fondren Renaissance Foundation. 

Brister received a Bachelor of Science in Management from Tulane University in New Orleans.  She holds a Master of Business Administration from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. Brister serves on the board of directors of the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition. Brister is certified in public affairs by the Public Affairs Council in Washington, D.C. and is a graduate of Leadership Mississippi. She was recognized as one of the state’s 50 Leading Businesswomen by the Mississippi Business Journal.  

Teresa Palmer-Jones is an education enthusiast. She has a track record of successfully implementing student-centered, interactive, and imaginative activities for students of all ages. She demonstrates strong communication skills, empathy, and passion for lifelong learning through her work as Director of Jackson State University TRIO Talent Search program. 

On a daily basis, she believes her job is to inspire hope, ignite imagination, seek possibilities, and instill a love of learning. In this role, Jones curated an Author Summit in which students were afforded the opportunity and exposure to meet Award Winning Author Angie Thomas, who read from and autographed her latest novel for the students, through the combined efforts of the United Way of the Capital Area. Another amazing accomplishment was for her to share the trailblazing efforts of the first "Soul Cafe’"  which now has become a trend within Jackson Public High Schools. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Alcorn State University and a Master of Science in Education Administration and Supervision from Jackson State University, and continues to further her studies.

Manola C. Erby is a seasoned expert in Home Economics Education and youth development with over 42 years of experience. She earned her B.S. in Home Economics Education from Alcorn State University in 1981, followed by an M.S. in the same field from Iowa State University.

Currently, Manola serves as the Assistant Director for Extension/1890 4-H Program Leader and Youth Specialist with the Alcorn State University Extension Program. In her role, she focuses on empowering at-risk and limited-resource children, youth and families in underserved communities through a variety of impactful programs. Her expertise spans Career & Workforce Development, Team Building and Leadership Development, Nutrition, Health and Wellness, and Youth Health Issues.

Manola’s dedication to improving the lives of young people and underserved populations highlights her commitment to community service and education. Her work continues to inspire and drive positive change in Mississippi and beyond.