Global Keynote Speaker | Award-Winning Consultant |
Workplace Culture & Leadership Strategist
EMPOWERING LEADERS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO BUILD
HIGH-PERFORMING AND COLLABORATIVE TEAMS THROUGH
INTERSECTIONAL LEADERSHIP
As Seen on
Lead with Impact!
Dr. MJ Can Show You How!
Recognized as a leading expert in leadership strategy and enhancing workplace cultures, Dr. MJ McConner partners with leaders to foster engagement and high-performing teams. Her expertise in intersectional leadership creates a measurable impact and sustainable growth.
Are you ready to take your leadership to new heights? Let’s make it happen!
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MEET DR. MJ
Dr. Mary “MJ” McConner is an award-winning entrepreneur, global speaker, leadership strategist, and civic leader committed to advancing individuals, organizations, and communities. Her work bridges business and organizational strategy, grounded in the belief that sustainable change begins with people-centered leadership.
As Founder and CEO of Inclusive Excellence Consulting (IEC), a Memphis-based firm specializing in leadership development, team effectiveness, and organizational culture, Dr. McConner partners with corporations, healthcare systems, nonprofits, government agencies, and educational institutions to build high-performing teams. Having worked with professionals from more than 150 countries, she brings a distinctly global perspective to workplace effectiveness and organizational performance. As a proud member of the dyslexic and hard-of-hearing communities, Dr. McConner champions leadership models that recognize diverse strengths and create space for everyone to thrive.
A sought-after thought leader, Dr. McConner has been featured in U.S. News & World Report, Business Insider, AfroTech, FOX, and Medium. Her honors include being named a 2026 AJLI 40 Under 40 Honoree, 2025 Memphis Business Journal 40 Under 40 Honoree, 2025 CXO 2.0 Business Leadership Excellence Award recipient, and 2023 Memphis Business Journal Super Woman in Business, alongside the Junior League of Memphis' T. LaShaun Wallace Award and the Change Collective Memphis Champion Award.
Deeply invested in Memphis’s civic and philanthropic landscape, Dr. McConner serves as Board Chair for RISE Memphis and a Board Member for Crosstown High School. She previously chaired the GiVE 365 Memphis Advisory Team through the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis and is a Chairman's Circle Investor with the Greater Memphis Chamber. Her broader civic and advocacy affiliations include the Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) Leadership Advisory Council, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the National Council of Negro Women, Change Collective, and the Junior League of Memphis—where she has served as Community Outreach Director and Training Manager, as well as on the Association of Junior Leagues International’s (AJLI) Every Woman. All Things. Committee.
EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
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University of Oxford, Saïd Business School, Oxford Executive Leadership Programme, 2021
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Harvard University, Management Development Program, 2019
EDUCATION
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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Higher Education Administration, Auburn University, 2017
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Master of Arts (M.A.), Educational Leadership, Central Michigan University, 2010
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Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Psychology, Grand Valley State University, 2008
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
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2026 Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) 40 Under 40
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2026 Yellow Rose Brunch Honoree – Business Category
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2025 Memphis Business Journal 40 Under 40
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2025 Juanita Sims Doty Entrepreneur Award (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated - Phi Lambda Omega Chapter)
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2025 Junior League of Memphis T. LaShaun Wallace Award
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2025 CXO 2.0 Conference Business Leadership Excellence Award
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2024 BPM Global 100 Leading Black Professional
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2024 Change Collective Fall Program Graduate & Memphis Champion Award Recipient
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2023 Shelby County Board of Commissioners Resolution Honoring Dr. Mary McConner
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2023 Memphis Business Journal Expand: Diversity in Business Award
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2023 Memphis Business Journal Super Woman in Business
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2023 American Heart Association Mid-South Women of Impact
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2022 Top 40 Under 40 Urban Elite Professionals
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LEADING AT THE INTERSECTIONS
Today's workforce is more diverse than ever, with employees bringing overlapping identities that influence their contributions, challenges, and sense of belonging. Many leaders find it challenging to recognize and support these complexities fully. Effective leadership in today's intricate workplace requires empathy and a deep understanding of diverse experiences. Leading at the Intersections is your guide to building inclusive and empowered teams by addressing the overlapping identities that shape employees' experiences at work.
Drawing on professional insights, real-world scenarios, and actionable frameworks, this book provides leaders with the tools to foster collaborative teams and strengthen workplace culture. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this book will challenge you to act intentionally and lead with impact.
SOME OF DR. MJ'S PAST CLIENTS
