Dean’s Leadership Circle

Dilshan Ratnayake (Chair)
Chief People Officer

Mary Jane Anderson
Retired, Commercial Banker, Bank of Texas

Sindhu Avalokita
Vice President, Operations Leader for Southwest Plains Region - Jacobs

Binta O. Baudy
Assistant Vice President
Texas Children’s Hospital

Education: MPH, Health Administration, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; BS, Community Health, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL

Areas of Expertise: budget development/management, revenue cycle management, academic group practice, financial forecasting/analysis, project management, physician recruitment, operations management, business planning, training, workflow design

Binta O. Baudy, MPH is currently the Assistant Vice President at Texas Children’s Hospital-West Campus and has been with the Texas Children’s Hospital organization for over 12 years. Binta received her Master’s in Public Health with a concentration in Healthcare Management from Emory University and has an undergraduate degree in Community Health from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her prior experience includes practice management, revenue cycle consulting and quality management in academic and community hospitals as well as the Veterans Administration Hospital Network. Binta is originally from Illinois and has lived in Houston for over 12 years with her husband and is the mother of two daughters.

Mark J. Biscone
Executive Director of Operations
SouthEastTexasChapter (SETC) of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)

Education: PhD, University of Pennsylvania, Microbiology; MPH, University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, Healthcare Management & Policy; BS, Rochester Institute of Technology, Biochemistry

Areas of Expertise: operations, operations management, program development, data analytics, lean, Lean 6 Sigma, process improvement, performance improvement

Mark Biscone is the Executive Director of Operations for the SouthEastTexasChapter (SETC) of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), one of the largest chapters of ACHE in the nation. He holds a BS in Biochemistry from the Rochester Institute of Technology, a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MPH in Healthcare Management & Policy from The University of Texas School of Public Health. Mark has over 12 years of experience in the healthcare management field. He previously served as the director of research at the Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center (BSLMC), senior performance excellence consultant at BSLMC, regional executive for the Texas Hospital Association, and several different leadership roles for the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Mark is board-certified in healthcare management, is a certified professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), and holds a black belt in Lean Six Sigma (LSSBB). Mark currently serves as the board chairman for The Living Bank, a non-profit that is focused on living organ donor advocacy and education. Mark enjoys time volunteering with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the American Red Cross and the Houston Food Bank.

Tom Bronson
President
Mastery Partners and Mastery Mergers & Acquisitions

Education: Bachelor’s in Advertising and Business, Appalachian State University

Areas of Expertise: exit strategy, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), leadership development, strategic planning, succession planning, business transition planning, business value building, business coaching 

Tom Bronson is a serial entrepreneur and business owner. He is the founder and President of Mastery Partners, as well as the Business Transitions Summit and Mastery Mergers & Acquisitions. All three companies empower business owners to maximize business value and serve business owners in different capacities to help them achieve their dream exit.

Bronson is passionate about helping business owners and has the experience to do it. As a business owner himself, he knows what it takes to craft the right strategy.

​Bronson also helps business owners personally by serving with Business Navigators as the Navigating for Business Success Chairperson. This servant leadership organization helps businesses through outreach, education, and community service. Tom has just published his second book, "Maximize Business Value Playbook," (2023). The follow-up to his first book, "Maximize Business Value, Begin with the EXIT in Mind." 

Mark A. Brown
University Relations Manager
Constellation Brands

Mark A. Brown currently serves as Constellation’s University Relations Manager. In this role, Mark leads Constellation Brands’ University Relations and CBI’s Internship Initiatives. His responsibilities include establishing strategic University relationships to source top talent, building a top talent pipeline and establishing Constellation Brands as an employer of choice within the industry.  

Mark joined Constellation Brands in January 2008 as the manager of global learning and development. He has also held roles as director, development and leadership strategy where he was responsible for creating and directing Constellation Brands’ global development strategy, including executive development, leadership development, succession planning and talent management. 

Mark is also civically engaged, serving on the advisory board for the RIT Saunders School of Business Management/International and Entrepreneurship, he is an adjunct professor at St John Fisher and sits on the College Dean’s Leadership Circle.  He is an active member of the Finger Lakes Out & Equal Business Forum. To broaden his knowledge base within the beverage alcohol industry, Mark has also achieved level two certifications from the prestigious Wine and Spirts Education Trust.  

Mark’s higher education includes a certification in executive leadership from Harvard Business School, and studies at Nazareth College and Rochester Institute of Technology, where he continues to be engaged tapping outstanding, diverse talent for Constellation Brands.    

Stephanie Chavez
Vice President of Sales & Marketing
BlackPearl Technology, Inc.

Education: BBA, University of Texas at Arlington; CTSM, Northern Illinois University & EXHIBITOR Media Group

Areas of Expertise: Leadership, B2B Marketing, technology, trade shows and events

Stephanie Chavez has over 15 years of experience building and leading marketing teams and initiatives for both B2B and B2C clients worldwide.

She is a nationally recognized marketing executive, speaker, and member of the invitation-only Forbes Communication Council and Member of the CMO Club. Stephanie was honored in 2019 as a Cynopsis Top Woman in Media and received her CTSM certification from EXHIBITOR Media Group and Northern Illinois University. 

Stephanie is equally as passionate about growing businesses as mentoring others and being of service to the community. She frequently speaks at Texas Woman’s University for the College of Business as well as UNT.

Laquita Cyprian
Chief Banking Officer
Agility Bank

Laquita Cyprian, a native Houstonian and veteran banking leader, has significant insights into the economy and opportunities of companies in the region. At Agility Bank (in organization), she is responsible for development, client relationship growth, as well as executing digital strategies that meet the needs of growing businesses in deposit, lending, and treasury management.

Her career spans over 20 years and has focused on providing banking solutions to small and mid-sized companies which are focused on sustainable growth. At large national banks, she has managed teams that have been recognized for relationship building through strategic service and product solutions, as well as helping bring efficiencies to companies’ operations.

Laquita attended the University of Houston where she studied Business Administration. She has served on a number of boards including board chair of CSTEM, an organization supporting children in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and as Treasurer of Art Colony Association, the producer of Bayou City Art Festivals.

Suzan Deison
CEO/President/Founder
Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce

Ms. Suzan Deison is a native Houstonian who has dedicated her life to working and volunteering in the nonprofit arena. Suzan is the CEO/President and Founder of the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce. In a little over fourteen years, she has led the GHWCC to reach over 1,300 member companies. Under Suzan’s leadership the GHWCC supports small business owners to executive women representing Fortune 500 organizations. It has influenced business leaders in London, Mexico City, and Madrid to start a women’s chamber or council. Recently, Parliament announced they would be opening a women’s council and women’s business centers in the UK and will use the GHWCC as a blueprint.

Suzan has been recognized for her many contributions, including being named as a Women on the Move by Texas Executive Women, honored in Forbes Magazine as a Texas Woman Business Leader, named an ABC-13 Woman of Distinction, as a MAKERS, Women Who Make America by AOL. She was inducted into The Greater Houston Women’s Hall of Fame as an Icon in 2019. The Houston Business Journal recently recognized her as one of the Most Admired CEOs and Houston’s Most Beautiful People.

Suzan is the President and founding member of the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy Foundation, founder of The Greater Houston Conference for Women, Women in the Fast Lane of STEAM, The Woodlands North Houston Conference for Women, and The Greater Houston Women’s Hall of Fame. She has passionately served on the boards of Makers, Women Who Make America, The American Heart Association, March of Dimes, Houston Technology Center and the World Affairs Council.

Gary Henderson
President & CEO
United Way of Denton County

Education: B.A., Business Administration, California State University, Long Beach

Areas of Expertise: Nonprofit executive leadership, strategic planning, resource development, cross-sector collaborations, organizational development, advocacy

Gary Henderson has served as United Way of Denton County’s President and CEO since 2011. He entered the nonprofit sector in 2003 as CEO for Communities In Schools of North Texas and enjoyed a successful 17-year for-profit career at Price Waterhouse as Senior Manager leading Investment Management and Security Operations engagements, and at Bank of America as Senior Vice President leading Private Bank Technology & Operations.

Gary brings a bias for growth, a passion for helping people and leading cross-sector collaborations that transform lives across Denton County. He is a board member of Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas, United Ways of Texas and board chair of the Denton Chamber of Commerce. Gary is a 2014 Graduate of Leadership Denton and was named Citizen of the Year 2011 by the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce.

Dawn Hooper 
Chief Financial Officer
National Diversity Council

Glen McKenzie
CEO
DATCU

Education: BBA Lamar University Finance

Areas of Expertise: banking, finance, management

Glen McKenzie is the Chief Executive Officer of DATCU Credit Union. He has worked in the financial services industry for over 35 years and has been with DATCU for 21 of those years. He is involved in the community having served on several non-profit boards.

Glorimar Medina
Executive Vice President and Administrator 
Ben Taub Hospital, Harris Health

Education:  Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives; MBA, Texas Woman’s University; Board Certified Anesthesiologist, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth; Doctor of Medicine, Ponce University of Health Sciences; Premed program, University of Puerto Rico

Areas of Expertise: Strategic Planning, Quality Improvement, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Engagement, Medical Staff Relations/Governance, Operations Management, Contract Negotiations

Dr. Medina is currently the executive vice president (EVP) and head administrator for Ben Taub Hospital (BTH) at Harris Health, one of only two level one trauma centers in Houston. Previously, she served as EVP of Ambulatory Care Services (ACS) and multiple medical leadership roles. Dr. Medina is a practicing, board certified anesthesiologist since 2008. She also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Texas Women’s University in Houston and a Fellowship in the American College of Healthcare Executives.  She is a member of the Harris Health System’s Executive Advisory Council for Diversity and Inclusion and the Executive Sponsor of the Women’s Empowerment Network (WEN) Employee Resource Group. Other interests include mentoring individuals academically and professionally, serving on several advisory boards, and participating as an expert panelist and national speaker. In her free time, Dr. Medina loves time with her family and visiting her parents in Puerto Rico.

Tawanda Mkanganwi
Corporate Controller
Highgate

Education: Bachelor of Business Administration, Texas Woman’s University, Accounting; Bachelor of Science, Texas Woman’s University, Computer Science

Areas of Expertise: Preparation and review of financial statements, management of debt, construction, and other financing and capital transactions within the real estate and hospitality industry

Tawanda is currently an accounting and finance professional within the real estate and hospitality industry primarily working with private equity and institutional investors. Previously, he spent over 10 years at the accounting firm Ernst & Young in their Audit practice. He loves to mentor and develop young professionals, and to encourage and assist diverse candidates into entering accounting and finance. Tawanda is also involved in numerous community volunteer efforts include as servings as treasurer and member of the Board of Trustees for a local church.

Heidi Obie
Senior Vice President
AECOM

Education: Executive MBA, Tulane University; MS; Construction Management, Virginia Tech; BArch, Virginia Tech; 

Areas of Expertise: Program and construction management, operations management, budgeting, forecasting, people development

Heidi Obie is a senior vice president, certified construction manager and business executive in the architecture, engineering and construction industry, representing large buildings, infrastructure, and advanced facilities owners for the last 24 years. She currently serves as the Houston Executive for AECOM, a global engineering firm with a 450-person office in the Houston market focused on transportation, aviation, water/water resources, energy, environmental services, architecture & project/construction management. Having worked for national and global consulting firms in roles ranging from project engineer, and project manager to vice president, her primary focus and skillset is to lead business operations across multiple market sectors and business strategies with responsibilities for delivery, P&L and growth. She is a 2022 graduate of Leadership Houston, a 2021 graduate of the Center for Houston’s Future, and currently sits on the Family Houston Board of Directors.

Lin O'Neill
President & CEO
O’Neill Enterprises (and Founder, ALM-CT)

Education: MBA, Pepperdine University, Business Management; BS, Texas Woman’s University, Sociology

Areas of Expertise: Strategy, innovation, culture transformation, facilitation, governance, C-Suite coaching, cross-functional teaming

Lin O’Neill is CEO of O’Neill Enterprises and Founder of Assisted Living Managers’ Certification and Training (ALM-CT). 

Lin is recognized as a thought leader, consultant, speaker and business coach who inspires and guides culture transformation. Her experience spans multiple industries and includes expertise in operations, human resources and consulting.  She is a former Vice President and board member for Continental Airlines and a former human resources director for TRW where she had both national and international HR responsibility.

She served as DFW Instructor for SBA’s Emerging Leaders program and as Lead Faculty for Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses (North Texas and Nationally).  Lin has served as adjunct faculty for TWU’s EMBA program, Tulsa University, Loyola, Monterey Peninsula College and also as the Dallas instructor for GDHCC’s Executive Entrepreneur and ScaleUp programs.  A preferred provider for the state of Texas, Lin teaches courses required for assisted living managers and NCCDP’s CDP prerequisite course.

Jeanna Ratnayake
Vice President Operations
Aramark

Education: Bachelors in Hospitality Management and Mass Communications, Kansas State University

Areas of Expertise: P&L management, client partnership, strategic organizational alignment

Jeanna Ratnayake has more than 20 years profit and loss management experience providing value-add hospitality services within the higher education, health care and K-12 nutrition sectors. She is known for her ability to build strong performance-based relationships with clients, evolving organizational cultures and driving outcomes to the highest levels. In addition to her professional experience, Jeanna is a passionate advocated for education focused organizations throughout North Texas and currently serves as Board President for the Northwest ISD Education Foundation.

Jeff Reecer
President
Texas Health Presbyterian
 

Jeff Reecer serves as president of Texas Health Denton since January 2016 after leaving the facility in 2012 to become president of Texas Health Allen. Prior to that he spent 11 years as vice president of operations at Texas Health Denton. He has more than 33 years of experience as a senior health care leader and is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

In addition to his responsibility for the strategic and day-to-day operation of Texas Health Denton, he also serves on the boards of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Flower Mound, Texas Health Surgery Center Denton, Texas Health Orthopedic Surgery Center, Serve Denton, Children’s Advocacy Center for Denton County, and the Denton Chamber of Commerce where he is Immediate Past Chair. He also serves on the Texas Woman’s University College of Business Dean’s Leadership Circle.

A native of Lockney, Texas, Jeff holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas Tech University. He and his wife Dena have been married 35 years and have two adult children and one grandson. Outside of work, Jeff enjoys running, cycling, and playing bass in his band.

Lyn Scott
Executive Director
Guardianship Services, Inc.

Education: eMBA, Texas Woman’s University, Accounting; BA, Texas Wesleyan University, Interdisciplinary Studies

Areas of Expertise: Accounting, nonprofit business operations, author, community program development, strategic planning, public private partnerships, tax credit property management, guardianship, nonprofit mergers, social enterprise management, board development

Lyn Scott is Executive Director of Guardianship Services, Inc. (GSI) and the Financial Exploitation Prevention Center (FEPC) located in Fort Worth, Texas. She has extensive experience in the nonprofit community, previously serving in an executive role at a housing agency serving medically vulnerable, chronically homeless persons.

Scott has been certified as a Texas Guardian by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission and is certified as an Occupancy Specialist by the National Center for Housing Management. She wrote and published From Passion to Execution: How to Start and Grow an Effective Nonprofit Organization.

Scott’s additional affiliations include MHMR’s Adult Mental Health Community Advisory Council, Tarrant County Human Services Advisory Committee Board Member, Adult Protective Services Community Board Member, Tarrant County Homeless Coalition Board Member, and Member of Empowering Women Leaders.

Meghna Sharma
Group Manager
Automotive Accounting and Enterprise Projects
Toyota Motor North America

Education: eMBA, University of Michigan; The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Areas of Expertise: Strategic initiatives, organizational change management, development of best-in-class business processes and teams, operational innovation

Meghna is a strategic finance executive with extensive experience in complex accounting issues, business combinations and ERP implementations. She is a change agent with passion for strategic initiatives, organizational change management and development of best-in-class business processes and teams. Her expertise is in leading finance and accounting teams and driving operational innovation. She also has experience in US GAAP, SEC filings, financial reporting, financial due diligence and ensuring compliance with Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting. 

Meghna brings unique perspectives to strategic challenges and thrives in an environment that is at a cusp of transformation. She is passionate about education and cultivating diversity awareness in the community. She currently serves as an A&F Executive for Toyota Motor North America, Controller for Toyota USA Foundation and Executive Board Member and Treasurer for Perot Museum of Nature and Science.

Gregory Stinyard
Director Diversity & Inclusion
American Family Insurance

Education: PhD, University of Phoenix, Management / Organizational Leadership; MBA, University of Phoenix; Master’s, University of Phoenix, Human Resource Management; Bachelors, Wayland Baptist University

Areas of Expertise: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), DEI executive, DEI trainer, DEI practitioner, professional coach, continuous improvement manager, SAFe 4 Scrum Master (Scaled Agile) designations

Gregory brings over 15 years of experience as a diversity, equity, and inclusion leader, coach, and partner to Fortune 500 insurance, retail, fulfillment, distribution, manufacturing, healthcare, and military leaders. He also served in the U.S. Army for 20 years and retired after holding several senior leadership roles, including Equal Opportunity Advisor and Human Relations Advisor. With experience advancing DEI across all organizational levels, Gregory has a wide variety of subject matter expertise with involvement in areas including compliance, supplier diversity, recruiting, retention, EEO, HR and community partnerships.

In June 2021, Gregory joined American Family Insurance as Director of Inclusive Excellence Operations and Programs. In this role, he has oversight and responsibility for building and delivering comprehensive DEI programs to help people learn better ways to lead inclusively, work together, create more inclusive policies and practices to drive greater business results.

Gregory holds three certifications from the Diversity Executive Leadership Academy (CDP, CDT, CDE), two professional coaching certifications from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (CPC, ELI-MP) and has the Continuous Improvement Manager (CCIM) and SAFe 4 Scrum Master (Scaled Agile) designations.

Pamela (Pam) Stoyanoff
President and Chief Operating Officer
Methodist Health System

Education: MBA, Lake Forest Graduate School of Management; BBA, Valparaiso University, Accounting

Areas of Expertise: Finance, accounting, healthcare management

Pamela Stoyanoff, MBA, CPA and FACHE is currently President and Chief Operating Officer for the 12 hospital Methodist Health System in Dallas, Texas. She leads strategic planning for the system and provides operational leadership for its hospitals, joint ventures and medical group. She is passionate about the Quadruple Aim and improving health by leading efforts that help to reduce health disparities.

She has been a member of numerous Boards and current serves on the Dallas Ft. Worth Hospital Council Education and Foundation Board, the Texas Hospital Association Board of Directors, the American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Finance Committee. Prior to coming to Dallas, Pam was the Chief Financial Officer for the St. Vincent Health System in Little Rock, Arkansas. She is originally from Chicago, Illinois and began her career at Arthur Anderson & Co.

Pam has spoken around the country on many topics including revenue cycle management, robotics, cost reduction strategies and diversity in healthcare supply procurement. She has been voted one of the top “100 Women Hospital and Health System Leaders to Know” by Becker’s Hospital Review , one of the top 25 Women in Business in Dallas/Ft. Worth by the Dallas Business Journal and was also selected by the Dallas Business Journal as a Health Care Hero (in recognition of contributions toward improving health care in North Texas).

Stan Waterhouse
CEO
CSW Advisory
 

Education: MBA, Wake Forest University, NC

Areas of Expertise: Customer service, team building, organizational agility, corporate turnarounds, entrepreneurial, acquisition and development, hospitality, healthcare, real estate, senior living, process design and improvement, advanced data analytics

Stan Waterhouse is an accomplished CEO, an authority in delivering World-Class Customer Service with a track record of accelerating companies' growth trajectories. He has deep experience in various sectors, including real estate, hospitality, and healthcare.

As CEO for CSW Advisory, he leads a practice that offers a continuum of business services to healthcare, senior living, and affordable housing providers. Expert in developing advanced data analytic tools that predict healthcare impacts, the team assists government agencies and policymakers in identifying disease risk within community segments.  

Previously he served as CEO for Senior Quality Lifestyles Corporation, a nationally recognized organization with $1B in assets that operates luxury Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Senior Living facilities. Earlier in his career, Stan Waterhouse served as COO with HOME, one of the nation’s largest affordable housing providers. Before that, he led international hospitality operations as Vice President for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and ClubCorp.