Alumni Hall of Fame - Tashanda D. Thomas

Tashanda Thomas ’06
Senior Vice President, Chief People and Culture Officer,
Foodlink

Nominated by Dr. Daniele Lyman-Torres, Alison Zero Jones and Michelle Picardo

“I represent MCC's core values in everything I do in and out of the workplace. Tonight, I am honored to join such an elite group as a member of MCC Alumni Hall of Fame. I have deep ties to MCC, my husband, son, and mom all graduated from MCC. Being recognized in this way makes my heart and my family proud.”

With a career spanning several years in human resources, Tashanda has left an indelible mark in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. Her work has been instrumental in fostering relationships with employees and managers, aligning with business strategy, resolving communication issues, and motivating individuals for peak performance. Tashanda's unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is not just a professional stance, but a personal mission that inspires and motivates all those around her.

Tashanda's desire to impact the lives of Rochester's citizens is evident in her past and current volunteer work and service. She is the chair of the Willow Domestic Violence Center Board and sits on its Human Resources Task Force and Governance committee. She is an Urban League of Rochester board member, a St. John Fisher University alumni board member and a member of the YMCA Human Resources Committee. Tashanda is a commissioner for the City of Rochester's Civil Service Commission, a founding member of 100 Women Who Care, Roc and an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated member.

Tashanda has received recognition for her professional work and her community outreach. She is a 2023 OnCon Icon Top 50 Human Resources Professional Award winner, 2023 NHRA Human Resources Executive of the Year finalist, 2022 Rochester Business Journal Women of Excellence honoree, 2022 ATHENA Young Professional Award finalist, 2021 Making an Impact Award winner from the Rochester Chapter of the National Human Resources Association, 2020 St. John Fisher University "Ten Under 10" honoree, a 2019 Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce IGNITE Future Leaders Award finalist, and a 2018 Rochester Business Journal "Forty under 40” honoree.

Tashanda is a graduate of the United Way African American Leadership Development Program, earned an associate’s degree from Monroe Community College and a bachelor's degree from St. John Fisher University. Tashanda has her PHR and SHRM-CP certifications and is a devoted wife and mom.