04 Marcia L. Dyson
Marcia L. Dyson is an acclaimed global strategist, sought-after speaker, and the President of Marcia L. Dyson, LLC, an exclusive consultancy specializing in business development, marketing, political strategies, and social responsibility at both national and international levels. She is also the founder of the Women’s Global International Trade Bureau, launched in Fall 2023, to support women entrepreneurs in the U.S. and abroad. Business & Political Leadership Dyson has an extensive background in business and political strategy. She was the first Chief of Staff for Rev. Jesse Jackson, Jr.’s Operation Push International Trade Bureau. She also served as the Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Mayor's Office of Special Events in Chicago, where she worked to bridge the city’s 87 diverse ethnic communities through cultural diplomacy and world-class events. Advocacy & Global Women’s Empowerment For over 25 years, Dyson has been a champion for women’s rights globally. She was selected by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to serve on the Women’s Global Summit Leadership Board. She has also played a key role in women’s business and social advocacy through: - Ladies First Africa, serving as a liaison to the African Ambassadors Spousal Association in Washington, D.C. - Former Board Member and Founding Contributor to ColorComm, a professional network empowering over 20,000 women in marketing and communications. - Founding Advisor for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day at the United Nations, supporting women in 144 countries - Leading a global campaign with UN Women for Uber, benefiting over one million women, presented during the UN Women’s CSW59/Beijing+20 platform. Marcia L. Dyson continues to lead in business, advocacy, and global diplomacy, shaping opportunities for women, entrepreneurs, and various communities. Humanitarian & Social Impact Dyson has been a committee member of Knock Out Abuse, a major initiative supporting survivors of domestic abuse. She served as Executive Director of the R.O.S.E. Organization, which rescues and rehabilitates women and children victims of human trafficking. As a proud member of the United Justice Coalition (UJC), Dyson continues her lifelong commitment to advocacy, justice, and the empowerment of marginalized communities. She is also an advisory member of the Coalition of Hope, a humanitarian foundation composed of active and retired military personnel, vetted by the State Department and the Pentagon in 2022 for rescue operations in Afghanistan. Global Trade & Development Dyson is well known for leading trade delegations to Africa and the Middle East, fostering strategic partnerships and investment opportunities. She was a board member of the House of Mandela Family Foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa, and served as an executive advisor to the Conference of Black Mayors, helping to expand democracy and economic growth in Africa, the Caribbean, and South America. She also played a significant role in the rehabilitation of Haiti, working as a consultant to the Interim Haiti Reconstruction Commission on behalf of the Clinton Foundation. Education & Philanthropy A former educator, Dyson has designed math and science education programs for at-risk children. She has held multiple academic leadership roles, including: - Presidential Scholar at Bennett College (Greensboro, NC) - Social Justice Think Tank Board Member at Philander Smith College (Little Rock, AR) - Advisor to Howard University’s International Programs - Guest Lecturer at Fisk University (Nashville, TN) on World Leadership and Cultural Diplomacy - Bachelor of Science (B.S.), University of Illinois at Chicago Circle Campus - Executive Business Certification from the University of Chicago for Business Leaders - Board Member of the Richard Wright Public Charter High School for Journalism and Media Arts (Washington, D.C.) Honors & Current Work In November 2024, Dyson received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades of voluntary service to various communities. She is currently working on multiple film and documentary scripts, as well as two forthcoming books: - The World at My Door: Practicing Cultural-Political Diplomacy - Irreverent: Memoir of a Grown A$$ Woman (St. Martin Press, Fall 2026)