Representation in today’s booming industries seems like a far-fetched dream. Join the conversation with leading industry representatives about challenges surrounding diversity and how to become a change agent within these industries. Perception – it’s the reality until we understand one another better.
Presenters
Dr. Gail Burgos
Retired Senior Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Global Payments
Dr. Gail Burgos is the former Senior Diversity and Inclusion Officer for TSYS. Burgos has been with TSYS for over 20 years and has served in various leadership positions at the company. Prior to her retirement, she lead the company’s efforts to establish their first diversity and inclusion program. With Burgos’ tenure at the company, she brought a wealth of knowledge and experience and to the payment industry. Her passion and love for her company and its team members never went unnoticed. Along with a strong understanding of the corporate culture, an impeccable leadership record, Burgos was often asked to join and lead many of the company’s large initiatives, serve on various committees, and often a representative and ambassador for the company in the community and industry abroad.
Burgos received her Bachelors in Business Administration, her Masters in Human Resource Management, and her Doctorate in Organizational Theory and Leadership. She has taught as an adjunct professor at Columbus Technical College and served on its Business Advisory Board of curriculum for many years. She currently serves on the Board for the Greater Columbus chapter of Partners in Education for the regions’ school systems and is also a board member of Girls Inc. of Columbus/Phenix City Area. Over the past 4 years, she has championed a program through TSYS, now a Global Payments company, partnering with Girls Inc. that focusing on financial literacy education and workshops for young girls in the Columbus and Atlanta based centers. Burgos is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She is passionate about increasing diversity in STEM education and devotes her time to help build a pipeline of diverse talent for the technology industry. She served on the TSYS IT Education Council to foster the awareness of technology within the Chattahoochee Valley region of public schools. Burgos also serves and is an Executive Board member of WNET- Women’s Network in Electronic Transactions, non-for-profit organization enriching and empowering its members with valuable resources and mentoring programs to help in their personal and professional development.
Most recently Dr. Burgos was honored to receive the D&I Leader of the Year award for her work and accomplishments during the 2020 Converge Awards Forum hosted by Technology Association of Georgia. She has spoken and appeared on various panels, podcasts, and events, such as Money2020, Leaders forum for PeachState Georgia, and Let’s Grow STEAM.
In her down time and for relaxation she enjoys playing tennis, gardening, journaling, and spending time with her family. Dr. Burgos is married to her high school sweetheart and husband of 33 years and they have 3 daughters, ages 31, 26, and 24, 1 son-in-law, a 1 year old grandson, 10 month old fraternal twins, and 2 grand fur babies.
Amber Clark, C.M.
Amber Clark, C.M. was recently appointed as the Airport Director for the Columbus Airport (CSG) in 2018. As Airport Director, Amber serves as the Chief Executive Officer responsible for the overall management and administration at CSG planning, directing, and coordinating the work of staff personnel as well as administering policies and directives of the Commission.
Amber holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Management from Florida Institute of Technology and received her Certified Member (C.M.) designation from the American Association of Airport Executives (A.A.A.E.) in March 2017 by completing an examination measuring her comprehensive knowledge of Airport Finance and Administration, Airport Planning, Construction and Environmental, Airport Operations, Security and Maintenance, Airport Communications and Community Relations.
In 2016, Amber moved to Columbus from Kennesaw Georgia with her two children Jack (LJ) Clark and Cecilia (CC) Clark, to serve as the FBO Manager of Flightways, the Columbus Airport’s General Aviation terminal. She managed Flightways for three years overseeing the operations of Customer Service and Line Operations while making recommendations to the Airport Director and the Commission regarding improvements and development of the FBO.
Prior to her work at Flightways, Amber served as the Customer Service Manager at the Cobb County International Airport in Kennesaw Georgia; a position that she held for three years where she sharpened her proficiency in FBO Management, Marketing, and Research.
Since obtaining her private pilot’s certificate at the age of eighteen from Aero Atlanta Flight School at the Cobb County International Airport (KRYY), she has been very active in the industry completing her Commercial Pilot’s Certificate, along with her Instrument and Multi-Engine Rating with currently a little over 350 hours of flight time. Through an internship with Delta Air Lines, Amber also assisted in the merger of Northwest and Delta in 2008.
Amber has been a member of the American Business Women’s Association for a couple years and is currently serving as the Vice President, of the Harris County Charter Chapter. Through her chapter, she was presented with the 2020 Protégée and Woman of the Year award. Amber also volunteers her time serving as a Sunday school teacher for children at Christ the King church located in Pine Mountain.
Anthony Ianni
Anthony Ianni, of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, is one of the most sought-after motivational speakers and Autism/Anti-Bullying Advocates in the country. At the age of 4 Anthony was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS), which is on the Autism Spectrum (ASD). Doctors and specialists told Anthony’s parents that he would barley graduate high school, be an athlete, and never go to college. But more importantly he is here today to share with you a message about how to not only go out and be the change in life, but to also go out and make the change you wish to see in life.
And he is. Despite adversity, bullies, and numerous personal challenges Anthony worked hard and never gave up. Not only did he earn his Bachelor’s Degree from Michigan State University in Sociology he is the first athlete with autism to play NCAA Division One College Basketball. Anthony played for legendary coach Tom Izzo while at MSU. He won two Big Ten Championships, a Big Ten Tournament Title, was the recipient of the 2011 Tim Bograkos Walk On Award and the 2012 Unsung Player Award, and was also a member of the 2010 Final Four team.
As a speaker, Anthony has won a number of awards for his work. In 2013, he was a finalist for the Detroit Pistons Game Changer award and won the 2014 Epling Agent of Change Award. He was one of Autism Speaks’ “10 Individuals who Inspired in 2014,” and named to the CBS News national list of “Inspiring People on the Autism Spectrum.” He also received the 2015 BOOM Athlete of the Year Award and the 2016 Autism Support of West Shore “You Make a Difference” Award.
Anthony has pledged his life and career to help those who face similar challenges. He has been invited to tell his story and share his message across the country and has inspired countless individuals to be “Relentless” and achieve their goals and dreams.