Meet the NAMIC Team…

James Jones
Vice President of Education Programs

Jim Jones joined the NAMIC team as Director of Education in Fall 2005 after spending nearly a decade launching a wide range of diversity, team building, mentoring and other multicultural programs for the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME), a national non-profit whose mission is to increase the numbers of successful African American, American Indian and Latino men and women in the engineering, technology and math-based fields. Before joining NACME, he had consulted in the corporate, government, educational, and not-for-profit sectors, designing and implementing training and development initiatives related to increasing organizational effectiveness through building and nurturing a diverse workforce.

With a B.A. from Harvard, Jim attended New York’s Juilliard School and the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied classical singing. He eventually was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to France, and spent four years studying and performing in European concert and opera venues. After much “soul-searching,” he eventually returned to America and attended the Columbia Business School, where he received an M.B.A. in strategic human resources. Jim hails from St. Louis, Missouri.

Daphne Leroy
Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Daphne Leroy began her career in the media industry over fifteen years ago.  Currently, she is the Vice President of Marketing and Communications with the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC), the premier organization focusing on multi-ethnic diversity in the communications industry.  Founded in 1980, today NAMIC comprises 2,000 professionals across 18 chapters nationwide.

Ms. Leroy joined NAMIC in September 2006 from CBS Corporation and Viacom, Inc. corporate relations, where she managed the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning KNOW HIV/AIDS global media initiative within the Office of the Chairman.  In this role, she was responsible for targeted television, radio and outdoor public service announcements (PSAs), HIV/AIDS-themed television/radio programming and online/print information resources.  Additionally, the campaign had a number of international partnerships with media organizations in Africa, the Caribbean and Russia. 

Prior to joining CBS Corporation and Viacom, Inc., Ms. Leroy held various positions spanning all marketing disciplines at leading media and entertainment companies, including Time Inc. (Brand Director of Teen People magazine) and MTV Networks (Affiliate Marketing Director).  She launched her career at FOX Broadcasting Company in network sales and distribution.

Ms. Leroy’s professional background is rooted in social responsibility.  As a first-generation Haitian-American, she is devoted to philanthropic endeavors to help strengthen communities in need.  Ms. Leroy serves on the Advisory Board of the Edeyo Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the future of children in Haiti through education. She is a Co-founder and Board Member of the Haitian Roundtable, an organization comprised of civic-minded leaders and experts in a variety of sectors.  Additionally, she is an active supporter of the New York Women’s Foundation and PENCIL (Public Education Needs Civic Involvement In Learning).  Under Ms. Leroy’s voluntary leadership as President of the New York Chapter of NAMIC in 2001 and 2002, the New York City Council honored the chapter for two consecutive years at City Hall with a proclamation for outstanding service and programs.

A native New Yorker, Ms. Leroy earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing Management at Baruch College of the City University of New York.  In 2008, CableFAX Magazine named Ms. Leroy one of the most influential minority executives in the cable television industry.  The Network Journal honored Ms. Leroy in 2009 with a “40 Under Forty” achievement award that recognizes leaders who have proven to be exceptional performers in their industry and who are committed to the development of their community.  Most recently, Multichannel News recognized Ms. Leroy on its 2010 “40 Under 40” list of movers and shakers who are helping their companies grow and succeed, while playing an important part in mapping the future of cable and telecommunications.

Daniel J. McGlone
Vice President of Membership and Fund Development

With more than 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector, Danny McGlone has held fundraising positions at organizations of varied size and mission, including several who operate with a national office and chapter structure, like NAMIC.  Since 2005, he has been a member of the NAMIC senior team, starting out as Director of Fund Development.  In 2008, Danny was promoted to his current position of Vice President of Membership and Fund Development.

In that role, he directs a multi-faceted revenue generation effort.  This includes the Annual Corporate Sponsor Program (comprised of more than 25 major media and entertainment companies); foundation giving; event sponsorship and table/ticket sales and registration strategy; individual giving; earned income; and gifts in-kind.  He is also responsible for a broad range of membership development activities – primarily focused on acquisition, retention and growth - and oversees fulfillment of member benefits and services for NAMIC’s growing membership.

Among Danny’s other major responsibilities is directing NAMIC annual portfolio of national events: the Annual Awards Breakfast (during Cable Connection-Spring) and the Annual Conference (during Diversity Week).  In addition, he and his team provide key leadership support to NAMIC-Southern California for the Vision Awards and Creative Summit.  He also serves as a liaison to NAMIC’s nationwide chapter network in the areas of financial management, membership and local revenue generation strategy and partners with NAMIC’s National Board of Directors to achieve their annual give/get fundraising goals.  Since joining NAMIC, the organization has seen a steady increase in giving under Danny’s leadership.

He has been on the team of a number of nationally recognized and high-profile organizations.  Prior to joining NAMIC, served as Director of Chapter Operations for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, where he managed a field fundraising operation and oversaw the work of 21 of their chapters.  Danny was the Director of the American Red Cross in Greater New York’s Brooklyn Chapter and served on Planned Parenthood’s staff as Director of Development for the Metropolitan New Jersey affiliate and Assistant Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs for the New York City affiliate.  He has also raised funds for a museum and a youth organization with arts and leadership development as their focus.

He holds memberships in a number of professional organizations, including the American Society of Association Executives; Association of Cable Communicators (where he has served as a judge since 2006 for the Beacon Awards, which recognize excellence in cable communications, as well as a member of the Planning Committee for FORUM, the organization’s annual conference); Meeting Professionals International; Public Relations Society of America, as well as others.

He is a native New Yorker and resides in Staten Island.  Danny proudly admits to being a news and information junkie, avidly watching television programs of all kinds, consuming way too many magazines, and constantly reading newspapers and books.

Sandra Girado
Director of Meetings and Events

As the Director of Meetings and Events, Sandra Girado is responsible for planning and managing NAMIC’s annual portfolio of educational and special events, as well as new activities that are created for the membership and industry.

Sandra brings to NAMIC close to a decade of experience in the meeting planning and trade show industry. Prior to joining NAMIC in June 2005, she served as the Programs Administrator for the International Council of Shopping Centers where she was responsible for the management of educational programs, including faculty recruitment and curriculum scheduling. In that position she also worked to facilitate programs in Asia, Mexico, the Middle East and Moscow. Sandra also worked with the EastWest Institute, where she was responsible for planning Global Homeland Security Conferences for the international community. Additionally, she was the Special Events Manager for Lebhar-Friedman, a New York based publishing company.

She is a graduate of Manhattan College, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and International Business.

Faride Precil
Manager of Education Programs

As the manager of education programs, Faride’s primary responsibilities include the administration, recruitment, assessment, and evaluation of the L. Patrick Mellon mentorship program. He is heavily involved in providing additional educational and career support to mentors and mentees through research publications, career related activities and as well as online skill improvement courses. Faride also assists Jim Jones, vice president, education programs, with other education related initiatives such as ELDP, the Leadership Seminar, Webinars, and Continuing Education.

Prior to joining the Education Department at NAMIC, Faride spent most of his professional life in higher education. Upon graduating, he was appointed by the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies as the Director of an off-site Learning Center funded by a grant from the City University’s Research Foundation. Thereafter, Faride spent three and a half years working in Enrollment Services as a Senior Counselor/Recruiter and Academic Adviser. Upon leaving Brooklyn College he was appointed as the Associate Director of Admissions for the American University of Antigua College of Medicine and helped increased enrollment from 100 to over 500 within a year and a half. Faride has an undergraduate degree in French/Francophone Literature from Brooklyn College. He has also had the luxury of attending La Sorbonne while enrolled at Brooklyn College.

Susan Waldman
Research and Publications Manager

As Research and Publications Manager, Susan Waldman oversees the development and production of market research data/analysis to drive our programs and advance our mission. She is also responsible for the production of NAMIC’s three industry-wide publications including: Diversity Scoop, InTouch and Cultural Lens.

She launched her career in market research as a media planner on such accounts as Loews Hotels and Omnipoint Communications at Hill, Holliday Altschiller and McCann Direct advertising agencies.  There she was introduced to the gamut of advertising research resources as she planned and purchased the media for various clients.  After a few years, Susan moved over to the magazine industry.

Susan has served as the Marketing Research Manager at Vibe, Spin and The Source magazines and Research Director at Motor Trend magazine. Supporting 20 sales representatives by providing them with competitive and analytic research regarding each magazine’s audience, she has honed her research expertise. 

Susan received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. 

S. Monique Wells
Manager of Operations

Monique Wells is NAMIC’s Manager of Operations, a position she assumed on August 24, 2009.  She is no stranger to NAMIC and has been a member since 1991 and for the last two years, she has been a consultant to NAMIC for a number of special projects. As Manager of Operations she oversees the administrative operations of the national office.

An accomplished manager with a diverse background in sales and project management, Monique previously served as an Energy Conservation Analyst with the Los Angeles Unified School District where she oversaw the utility management for school construction projects. Prior to that, Monique was a National Sales and Marketing Executive for Patriot Communications where she was responsible for the sales, marketing and contract negotiations of enhanced telecommunication products and services.

“Before joining Patriot, Monique worked at HBO in Affiliate Sales, where she created and implemented sales strategies and account activities for HBO and Cinemax. Her responsibilities included sales, client services, off-channel promotions and special events. During her tenure at HBO, Monique was an active member of NAMIC-Southern California and served on the Steering Committee for the Vision Awards and chaired both the Sponsorship and Talent Committees. Monique also spent one year at BET Networks working in the Affiliate Sales/National Accounts division.

Preceding her tenure in telecommunications, Monique held several executive positions for Kraft General Foods and Sportsvisions, a sports marketing company based in Northern California. Monique earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Clark University in Worcester, MA and a MBA degree in general business and marketing from Atlanta University, now known as Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA. She currently volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and City Harvest.”

Jessica J. Thomas
Project Assistant

As NAMIC's Project Assistant, Jessica's primary focus is to support chapter operations, marketing, communications and related initiatives. She also maintains NAMIC’s official web site, social media accounts, and mobile applications.

Jessica is a recent Boston University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Communication and concentration in public relations. Through internships, she has assisted public relations teams in Boston, New York and Paris with media relations, social media, brand development and event management.