Join CREW Charlotte for our first Distinguished Leaders Panel featuring two CREW Network Distinguished Leaders, Tonya Brandon and Dionne Nelson. Moderated by CREW Network President Elect, Marsha Womack.
Tonya Brandon is a results-driven executive and as COO, Global Real Estate within TIAA’s Global Corporate Services team, she drives operational excellence across integrated functions and creates impactful outcomes for associates within the workplace.

Her impressive 27+ year career spans roles at industry giants Cushman & Wakefield and CBRE, where she excelled in Global Account Management, Project Delivery, and Integrated Facility Management. At CBRE, she was Chairperson of the Black Excellence Business Resource Group for a decade.

A North Carolina State University Civil Engineering graduate, Tonya holds RPA certification, LEED accreditation, CCIM designation, and MIT|Pro COO Program certification.

Tonya is an active member of CREW, CHIEF, The Conference Board CRE Council, CoreNet Global, and has served on Board of Directors for several organizations within the local Charlotte community. Her recognitions include numerous awards, including: the 2011 Charlotte Business Journal “40 Under 40”; the 2013 Charlotte Business Journal “Women in Business”; CBRE’s 2015 Global Corporate Services Leadership; the 2016 UNCF Maya Angelou Women Who Lead; the 2017 Real Estate Forum “Women of Influence”; the 2014 and 2018 Mecklenburg Times “50 Most Influential Women”; the 2020 CoreNet “Service Provider of the Year” for the Carolinas Chapter; the 2021 CREW Charlotte “Diversity & Inclusion Impact”; the 2022 Career Mastered “Top 50 Diversity Equity and Inclusion”; the 2023 Charlotte Business Journal “Power 100 in DEI” and CREW Network Charlotte Chapter “Woman of Impact”; and 2025 CREW Network Distinguished Leader!

Dionne Nelson is the President and CEO of Laurel Street, a leading mixed-income
housing development company experienced in providing high-quality residences for
working families and seniors. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Laurel Street
has a development portfolio of more than 6,000 units across the Southeast. Dionne
establishes and manages the overall strategic direction, operations, and growth of the
company and has over 30 years of experience in real estate development, finance, and
operations. Dionne also serves as President of LSA Management, a property
management company serving Laurel Street’s development properties. LSA currently
operates more than 4,000 stabilized units.

Dionne serves on the Board of Directors for Cousins Properties (NYSE: CUZ) and the
Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) and as a Director for the Federal Reserve Bank of
Richmond – Charlotte Branch. She is also a member of the Charlotte Executive
Leadership Council (CELC), the Real Estate Executive Council (REEC), and the Atrium
Health Foundation Board of Directors. Dionne is a Trustee for the Urban Land Institute
(ULI) and a member of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW). Dionne was also
named 2023 Charlotte Woman of the Year for exceptional service and exemplary
leadership.

Dionne earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard University and
graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in economics from Spelman
College.

Marsha Womack is a seasoned, professional sales leader in the financial services industry. With nearly 25 years of experience, Ms. Womack has been a driving force in creating vibrant, effective and profitable sales teams. Specializing in management, business development, lending and coaching, Marsha has guided many to financial success in both their personal and professional lives. Marsha joined HOPE Credit Union in 2025 as Senior Vice President of the newly formed Sales Department of the Retail Division, the first of its kind for the organization. In this role, Marsha is charged with driving growth in memberships, deposits, partnerships and lending.

In her previous role as First Vice President, Director of Retail Banking for Citizens Trust Bank, Marsha managed the development, implementation and all phases of production for the financial center network across the entire corporate footprint.

A native of Mobile, Alabama, Ms. Womack received her Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Always active in the community, Marsha spends her spare time working and volunteering with many civic and non-profit groups throughout the greater Birmingham area. Currently, Marsha is completing her two-year term as a Director on the CREW Network Board and serving as the Co-Chair of the Education and Advisory Group.  She is also a member of Forum Women, Kiwanis Club of Birmingham and the Alabama Bankers Guild.

$60 per member
$90 per guest
$800 per table

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