Tonya H.
CEO/Consultant/Executive Coach at Sequel Consulting Group, LLC
Human Resources
Education: Clark Atlanta University - University of St Thomas
San Diego, CA, USA
Biography
Tonya is a is a dynamic speaker and thought leader specializing in understanding emotions, leadership, resilience, and high-performing cultures. With years of experience in guiding organizations through transformational change,
Tonya delivers impactful keynotes on topics such as leadership and risk-taking, organizational culture, high-performing teams, mindfulness, and dealing with fear.
Tonya’s insights help leaders cultivate resilient teams and foster environments where innovation thrives.
She has experience as an executive and consultant in Human Resources, Organizational Leadership and Development, and Diversity and Inclusion. Tonya holds over 30 years of professional experience committed to sustaining work environments and cultures that promote inclusion and engagement by relying on diversity of people, perspective, and experience to achieve the company’s mission, goals, and values. Tonya is a sophisticated bold leader, speaker, best selling, author, consultant, professor, and organizational development scholar practitioner.
She holds a Professional Coaching ICF Certification (PCC) and a co-active professional executive coach certification. She also has a BA in Political Science/Pre-Law from Clark Atlanta University and MBA in Human Resource Management and EdD in Organization Leadership and Development from the University of St. Thomas.
Tonya has broad experience in strategy development; organization and leadership development; change management; talent management; diversity and inclusion; employee engagement; training; learning development; talent acquisition; performance management; total rewards; employee relations; project management and planning; process redesign and implementation; HR outsourcing; business acquisitions; and reorganizations.
She has spent over the last decade working in the healthcare industry. In her profession she operates as a strategic partner with senior leadership, managers, and employees to design and execute organization development initiatives focused on instituting critical human resources practices or processes, culture changes, improving leadership and organizational effectiveness, and directing diversity and inclusion.
She is a native of Minnesota, lives in San Diego. She loves traveling, reading, running and connecting with people to make a positive difference in their lives.
Passion
Passionate about empowering others, she has inspired audiences to embrace change and develop strategies for success in an ever-evolving landscape.
Featured Book
I am willing to travel
More than 100 miles
When it comes to payments
I generally get paid for speaking but make exceptions
Best Story
The Myth of the Fearless Leader: A Story of Grace and Thoughtful Leadership
The first leader I ever knew was my mother. She wasn’t fearless in the way society often defines leadership—loud, commanding, or unshakable. Instead, she led with grace, compassion, and quiet strength, always putting others first.
As the matriarch of our family, she cared for everyone—immediate family, extended family, friends, and even strangers—without ever expecting anything in return. Whether it was staying up late to comfort a sick relative or making sure no one was left behind at family gatherings, she always led by example, juggling it all with love and poise.
Watching her, I learned that leadership isn’t about having no fear. It’s about showing up and making decisions from a place of care and thoughtfulness. She taught me that courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the ability to lead with compassion and clarity, no matter the circumstances.
In my book, The Myth of the Fearless Leader, I challenge the idea that leaders must always appear invincible. True leadership, I’ve learned, comes from embracing vulnerability, showing empathy, and leading with integrity, even in moments of uncertainty. It’s the grace in the struggle, not the absence of it, that defines a real leader.
Origin Story
My journey to owning my own consulting, coaching, and speaking business has been shaped by a strong foundation of support and a deep-rooted sense of entrepreneurship. My grandparents were pioneers, owning the first Black newspaper in Minnesota, and their spirit of resilience and innovation inspired me from an early age. I was fortunate to have the support of both my parents and grandparents, whose belief in the power of education and hard work opened doors for me.
I started my career in the legal field, but over the years, I transitioned into healthcare, where I spent over a decade serving as a Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). This experience gave me invaluable insights into leadership, organizational development, and the importance of building cultures that empower people.
Today, I draw on that rich history and experience to help others unlock their potential, lead with purpose, and create lasting impact. My path hasn’t been linear, but each step has been part of a larger mission to help individuals and organizations thrive.