Celebrating Our 2026 Black Senior Leadership Scholarship Recipients
“Congratulations to Maya and Harriet on this incredible achievement. Having met with this year’s shortlisted candidates, I can say firsthand just how steep the competition was – Maya and Harriet truly stood out. As someone who spent over 20 years as a member of PEO Leadership before stepping into my role as Chief Transformation Officer, I know the impact a strong peer community can have on a leader’s growth, and I couldn’t be more excited for the journeys ahead of you both. Welcome to the network!”
–Michelle Ummells, Chief Transformation Officer, PEO Leadership | Innovators Alliance
We’re thrilled to announce that Maya Kane, Executive Director, Marketing & Communications at CBC, and Harriet Ekperigin, Vice President, Transformation and People Success at GreenShield, are joining PEO Leadership | Innovators Alliance this September as recipients of the 2026 Black Senior Leaders Scholarship.
Each will be placed into one of our Senior Leadership Groups, where leaders sharpen their judgment, strengthen their leadership presence, and learn alongside peers who understand the weight of the role — through facilitated board-style discussions, executive coaching, and practical leadership development.
This scholarship is made possible through our partnership with the Black Talent Initiative (BTI), a charitable social impact organization committed to cultivating an inclusive community where Black talent thrives. Born in response to the murder of George Floyd and the global rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, BTI unites a diverse, influential network of Black and allied professionals and changemakers to build a future rooted in diversity, equity, inclusion, and true belonging.
“When Black leaders are empowered to thrive, their impact extends beyond individual success — strengthening organizations, communities, and the systems that shape them. Representation in decision-making spaces helps ensure diverse perspectives guide the choices that influence workplaces, policies, and opportunities for future generations. We are proud to celebrate Harriet and Maya and look forward to seeing the impact they will continue to make as they grow, lead, and help shape that future.”
–Lushwana Anderson-Stewart, Director of Strategic Growth & Operations, Black Talent Initiative
For four years, PEO Leadership | Innovators Alliance has proudly partnered with BTI to give exceptional Black senior leaders the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop through our peer-to-peer advisory model – because leadership development is strongest when it reflects the full diversity of the people shaping our organizations and communities.
Congratulations, Maya and Harriet — welcome to PEO Leadership | Innovators Alliance.
