Dr. Mary “MJ” McConner is founder and CEO of Inclusive Excellence Consulting. Here’s her story:

Q. Where did you grow up?
I grew up on the west side of Detroit and am a proud graduate of Mumford High School. Growing up in Detroit taught me a lot about resilience and finding opportunity even when things aren’t always easy. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my life and career.

Education has always been important to me, so I continued my studies at Grand Valley State University where I earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. I then earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Central Michigan University and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Auburn University.

Professionally, I have spent most of my career helping people grow and succeed. Before launching my consulting business, I worked in higher education in a variety of leadership and student development roles. Today I have the privilege of working with organizations across the country through Inclusive Excellence Consulting, helping leaders build stronger teams, healthier workplace cultures and more effective organizations.

At my core, I am someone who loves helping people reach their full potential. Whether that’s through coaching, training or mentoring, that’s the work that energizes me the most.

Q. What brought you to Memphis?
I moved to Memphis in 2018 after accepting a higher education administration position. Honestly, I fell in love with the city almost immediately.

As someone who grew up in Detroit, Memphis felt familiar in the best possible way. There is a grit and determination here that reminded me of home. Memphis is a city full of people who work hard and care deeply about their community.

I was also drawn to the city’s strong business community and entrepreneurial spirit. As a business owner, I have been incredibly impressed by how supportive and connected Memphis is. People genuinely want to see one another succeed, and there is a real sense of collaboration across the nonprofit, business, government and civic sectors.

What started as a career opportunity quickly became home. Over the years, I have built meaningful relationships and become deeply involved in the community. Memphis has given me so much, and I am grateful to give back to a city that has welcomed me so warmly.

Q. Tell us about your early career path.
My career began in higher education, where I spent more than a decade working in international education and student affairs. Throughout those experiences, I became increasingly passionate about helping people develop as leaders and helping organizations create environments where people could thrive.

As I progressed in my career, I found myself facilitating trainings, coaching aspiring leaders and helping teams navigate challenges and opportunities for growth. Those experiences ultimately inspired me to launch Inclusive Excellence Consulting in 2021.

Today I have the opportunity to partner with organizations across the country to help develop leaders, strengthen teams and build workplace cultures that support both people and performance.

Q. Describe Inclusive Excellence Consulting.
I founded Inclusive Excellence Consulting in 2021 because I have always been passionate about helping people and organizations reach their full potential.

At its core, our work is about helping organizations create workplaces where people can thrive. We partner with businesses, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, government agencies and associations on leadership development, executive coaching, team effectiveness, employee engagement, strategic planning and organizational culture initiatives.

While we are proudly headquartered in Memphis, we have had the opportunity to work with organizations across the country and facilitate learning experiences that have reached participants representing more than 150 countries.

One of the things I love most about this work is that no two organizations are exactly alike. Every client has a unique story and unique opportunities. Our role is to help them build on their strengths and create the kind of culture that allows both individuals and organizations to succeed.

Q. How is your company helping move Memphis forward?
At Inclusive Excellence Consulting we believe stronger organizations create stronger communities. When leaders are equipped to lead effectively and workplaces invest in their people, organizations become better positioned to serve Memphis and drive economic growth.

We are committed to supporting local businesses, nonprofits and public sector organizations by helping them strengthen their people and culture, which contributes to a more vibrant, connected and competitive Memphis.

Q. Why did you join the Chairman’s Circle?
The Chairman’s Circle brings together leaders who are committed to the long-term success of Memphis. As both a business owner and community leader, I value opportunities to collaborate with

others who are investing in economic development, workforce growth, talent retention and community impact.

Joining the Chairman’s Circle allows me to support the Chamber’s mission while building relationships with leaders who share a collective commitment to helping Memphis reach its full potential.

Q. Please tell us about your community involvement.
Community service has always been an important part of who I am. I am honored to serve as the incoming board chair of RISE Memphis, where we work to help individuals and families achieve financial stability and economic mobility. I also serve as chair of the GiVE 365 Memphis advisory team with the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, vice chair of the board for STS Enterprise Corporation and as a member of the board of Crosstown High School.

In addition, I serve on the senior management council for the Junior League of Memphis as training manager, where I help lead and coordinate training and leadership development efforts for hundreds of women across the region. I am also proud to be a Chairman’s Circle investor with the Greater Memphis Chamber. Being able to contribute my time to causes that matter is both a privilege and a responsibility that I take seriously.

Q. What excites you most about Memphis?
One of the things I love most about Memphis is that it’s a big city that still feels like a community. People here genuinely want to help one another succeed, and I have seen that spirit everywhere.

Memphis is filled with talented and passionate people who care deeply about the future of our city. I also love the entrepreneurial energy here. There are so many individuals and organizations working to create positive change, and collaboration is a big part of what makes Memphis special.

I truly believe Memphis’ best days are ahead of us, and I am excited to be part of the work that is helping move our city forward!

Q. Tell us about your family.
Family is one of the most important parts of my life. My husband and I enjoy spending time together, traveling and supporting one another’s goals and aspirations.
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I have also been incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by a family of wise and supportive people. My father, grandmothers, great-aunts and aunts have been especially influential in my life. They always seemed to have the right advice or life lesson to help me navigate both challenges and successes. Whether it was offering encouragement during difficult times or celebrating milestones along the way, they helped shape the person and leader I am today.

Q. Who is the most influential person in your life or the best advice you’ve received?
One of the most influential people in my life was my friend and mentor, the late Jay B. Myers. Jay was an incredible entrepreneur and leader in Memphis whose impact continues to shape both my personal and professional life.

When I launched Inclusive Excellence Consulting in 2021, I was eager to learn as much as I could about entrepreneurship. I regularly attended virtual workshops hosted by SCORE Memphis, and one day Jay facilitated a session that immediately caught my attention. His knowledge, authenticity and willingness to share both his successes and lessons learned were incredibly inspiring. After the session, I reached out to him and asked if he would be willing to mentor me. Thankfully, he said yes.

What made Jay so special was his generosity. Even while battling cancer, he continued to make time for me. We met regularly, and he was always willing to share advice, challenge my thinking and help me develop the knowledge and confidence to grow my business. He genuinely wanted to see others succeed and never hesitated to invest his time and wisdom in helping people along their journey.

One of the greatest lessons he taught me was that success isn’t just about what you accomplish for yourself; it’s also about how you help others succeed. His humility and commitment to serving others left a lasting impression on me.

I still think about Jay often, and many of the decisions I make as a business owner and leader are influenced by the wisdom he shared with me. His legacy continues to inspire me every day, and I am grateful that our paths crossed when they did.

Q. What are your favorite pastimes or hobbies?
One of my favorite hobbies is tennis. What started as a way to stay active has become one of the most valuable learning experiences of my life. Surprisingly, it’s made me a better entrepreneur.

Tennis and business ownership have a lot in common. Both require mental toughness, resilience and the ability to stay focused when things don’t go your way. In a tennis match, there are constant highs and lows. You might win a set and then struggle in the next one. You might have a strategy that works perfectly until your opponent makes an adjustment. Success often comes down to how well you adapt and respond to challenges in real time.

The same is true in business. Not every idea works, not every opportunity goes as planned and there are always unexpected obstacles. Tennis has taught me to stay calm under pressure, think strategically and focus on the next point rather than dwelling on mistakes.

I genuinely believe the sport has made me a better leader and business owner by strengthening my ability to pivot and problem-solve. Plus, it’s a great reminder that growth doesn’t happen overnight. It comes from showing up consistently and trusting the process.

Q. What’s your favorite vacation destination?
I absolutely love traveling and experiencing different cultures! One of my favorite destinations is Istanbul, Türkiye, which is my husband’s hometown. It’s an incredibly beautiful city with a rich history, stunning architecture, amazing food and a unique energy that blends Europe and Asia.

One thing that always makes me smile about Istanbul is the cats. They’re everywhere! The city has a special relationship with its feline residents, and as an animal lover, I enjoy seeing how well cared for and embraced they are by the community.

I also have a special place in my heart for Spain. During graduate school I had the opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, and that experience sparked my love for international travel. Living and studying there allowed me to immerse myself in the culture and broaden my perspective.

Both Türkiye and Spain hold special memories for me and continue to remind me of the value of exploring new perspectives and embracing the richness of different cultures.

Q. What’s your favorite book or movie?
One of my favorite books is “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey. It is one of those rare books that I find myself returning to again and again because the lessons are timeless. Whether you’re leading an organization, building a business, serving on a board or simply trying to become a better version of yourself, the principles still apply.

What resonates most with me is Covey’s emphasis on personal responsibility and leading from a foundation of values rather than circumstances. The idea that effective leadership starts with leading yourself first has had a significant impact on both my professional and personal life. As a business owner and lifelong learner, I appreciate that the book challenges readers to build habits and character traits that foster lasting success.

More than 35 years after it was first published, I still believe it’s one of the best leadership and personal development books ever written!

Q. Anything else you’d like readers to know?
I am incredibly grateful to call Memphis home. This city has given me opportunities to grow as a leader, entrepreneur and community member, and I am excited to continue investing in the people and organizations that make Memphis such a special place.