Tiffaney McClendon
LEADERSHIP CONSULTANT​
MENTOR, COACH, TRAINER
Mentorship & Coaching
Leader of leaders offering mentorship and coaching for professional growth at every stage of leadership development
Development
Experienced professional with background in helping aspiring, ascending, and advancing leaders enhance knowledge, skills, and confidence for current and future roles
Training
Instructional designer specialized in creating and facilitating leadership and management skills training
EXPERTISE
Tiffaney McClendon is a leadership professional with decades of experience guiding others to realize their potential as leaders. Her diverse background across a variety of professions as well as her lived experience as a woman of color have helped her develop a responsive and inclusive approach to leadership. Tiffaney believes crucial elements of great leadership include emotional intelligence, accountability, effective communication, proper training, humility, a culture of inclusion, and a willingness to continue learning and growing.
SKILLS
SPECIALTIES
&
Instructional Design
Leadership & Management
Training & Facilitation
Inclusion, Equity, & Accessibility
Mentorship & Coaching
American Sign Language (Intermediate)
Customer Service & Relations
Mental Health Advocacy
EXPERIENCE
2025-PRESENT
Hybrid
Founder & CEO
​Mentor, coach, and trainer helping leaders elevate their leadership skills to new heights of excellence.
Resource creator and team leader engaging professional partners in content creation for leader development.
2024-PRESENT
Remote
Strategic Advisor, Leadership Development​
​Consultant serving as Facilitator & Content Creator for the Aspiring Leaders Network, which exists to help future leaders within zoos and aquariums build leadership skills now
2024-PRESENT
Instructor, Effective Leadership Course
Develop leadership training content and facilitate classes as part of a six-person instructor team for AZA's Effective Leadership: Foundations and Development course, a week-long training experience offered twice a year to emerging leaders in zoos and aquariums.
2016-PRESENT*
Birmingham, Alabama
Director, Learning & Engagement
Oversee various departments responsible for external and internal education programs: Learning, Interpretation & Engagement, Volunteers, Staff Learning. Lead advancement of DEAI initiatives and inclusion efforts. (Since 2024)
*Previous positions include:
2023 Staff Learning & Inclusion Manager
2021 Guest Services Programs Manager
2018 Membership & Group Sales Manager
2016 Membership & Groups Supervisor
2016 Temporary Weekend Cashier
2011-2012
HILTON GARDEN INN,
Homewood, Alabama
Guest Services Manager
​Recruited from previous position to serve as manager overseeing front desk team, evening manager on duty, and customer service complaints
2010-2011
TUTWILER HOTEL,
Birmingham, Alabama​
Front Desk Lead
Promoted to supervising front desk agent within 6 months. Developed and oversaw all training for new front desk staff. Created concierge handbook for use by all front gate staff to more efficiently and effectively serve guests.
CERTIFICATIONS
2025
Certified Executive Coach
Symbiosis Coaching; ICF ACC expected completion 2026
2023
Certified Diversity Professional
National Diversity Council
2022
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace
University of South Florida
2021
Employee Engagement
Disney Institute
2021
Quality Service
Disney Institute
2021
MPACT Manager Training
Personnel Board of Jefferson County
AFFILIATIONS
2024-Present
Association of Zoos & Aquariums
Diversity Committee
Member
2022-Present
Minorities in Aquarium & Zoo Science
Professional Development
Committee
Committee Chair since 2025
Board Director since 2025
2022-Present
Birmingham Zoo
Diversity, Equity, Access & Inclusion Committee
Committee Chair since 2023
CONTACT
LEADERSHIP CONSULTANT​
MENTOR & EXECUTIVE COACH
