189. Dr. Tonya Cornelius - Embracing Awe and Wonder for More Joy and Fulfillment

Dr. Tonya Cornelius, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, The Walt Disney Company where she serves as an integral member of the enterprise Human Resources senior leadership team. Dr. Cornileus is responsible for learning and leadership development, talent and succession management, performance management, and career development. Dr. Cornileus joined The Walt Disney Company in 2009, serving for nearly 13 years at ESPN prior to moving into her current role. At ESPN, she led learning, talent management, organization development, diversity, equity and inclusion, and wellness. 

Prior to joining The Walt Disney Company, Dr. Cornileus served as director, executive development & organizational effectiveness for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. from 2004 to 2009 and vice president, training & organizational development for Aegis Communications Group, Inc. from 1998 to 2004. She began her career as an educator. 

Dr. Cornileus is involved with several professional and civic organizations. She serves on the Advisory Board for Advanced Leadership Laboratory, Women in Sports and Events (WISE) National Board of Directors, the boards for the University of Florida Foundation and Empower Her Network. Dr. Cornileus is a past board member and officer for the University of Georgia College of Education Board of Visitors, for the Urban League of Greater Hartford, and the T. Howard Foundation. 

Dr. Cornileus has been recognized by various industry and professional organizations, including being selected to the distinguished list of Wonder Women by Multichannel News, CableFax’s Most Powerful Women Mentor of the Year and Most Influential Minorities in Cable, and Diversity Journal’s Women Worth Watching. She has also been profiled in the Chief Talent Development Officer Magazine, Savoy Magazine’s list of Most Influential Women in Corporate America, and Pivot Magazine’s Pivotal Women. Dr. Cornileus was honored with a Career Achievement Award by the New England Chapter of Women in Cable and Telecommunications and inducted into the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Hall of Fame. 

Dr. Cornileus’ philanthropic endeavors focus primarily on promoting access to education. In 2022, she established the Harris Family Opportunity Scholarship at the University of Georgia and in 2019, she established the Tonya Harris Cornileus CJC Diversity in Communications Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Florida. She is a major donor to the Criterion’s Club Gwendolyn Pinkney Harris Scholarship in honor of her deceased mother. Dr. Cornileus mentors college students through the University of Georgia’s alumni mentor program and young professionals across various companies and industries. She has mentored high school students through the Hartford Consortium for Higher Education’s New Beginnings program, and actively supports several other community service organizations. 

Dr. Cornileus is a lifelong learner. She earned her Ph.D. and M.Ed. in Human Resources and Organizational Development from the University of Georgia and her bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Florida. Dr. Cornileus received the Senior Certified Professional designation by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP) and the Professional Coaching certification by the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC CPC). She is passionate about helping individuals and teams realize their full potential and regularly spends her time keynote speaking, writing, and reading on topics of personal and professional development.

Quotes:

“Avoid regret. Regret is perhaps one of the worst things you could do to avoid getting near the end or at any point of your life and living such a regretful experience is to go ahead and believe in yourself.”

“I knew that I wanted to be a part of helping people realize their goals and dreams and believe in themselves.”

“Believing in yourself and just taking one step forward toward it. And I believe the way starts to open up for us.”

“Do it scared. Don't let fear be the reason you don't do something. Just do it scared.”

Chapters:

• 00:00  Introduction to Dr. Tonya Cornelius
• 01:57  Tonya's Background and Passion for Helping Others
• 10:15  The Importance of Belief in Oneself and Taking Leaps of Faith
• 23:50  Finding Focus and Inspiration with a Word of the Year
• 30:37  Embracing Awe and Wonder for More Joy and Fulfillment
• 40:59  Takeaway Tips and Closing Remarks

R.O.G. Takeaway Tips:

• Self-reflection and answering perennial questions about identity, values, and contribution are essential for personal growth.
  • Who am I really? 
  • What do I value? 
  • What gifts and talents do I have? 
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