Shelley Willingham

Shelley Willingham is an entrepreneur, marketer, business strategist, and Certified Diversity Executive. She currently leads the business strategy and partnership efforts at The Diversity Movement, which she joined in August of 2020. Shelley began her work in diversity In 2003 when she founded the National Organization for Diversity in Sales and Marketing (NODSM), a company focused on helping corporate America recognize the increasing purchasing power of diverse segments. Additionally, NODSM helped organizations effectively market to these groups without using stereotypes or being offensive. Some of her clients included Merrill Lynch, Young & Rubicam, Allstate Insurance, American Family Insurance, and Turner Broadcasting. Because of her success in the diversity space, Shelley was asked to partner with FORTUNE Magazine on a special diversity section in 2006. Outside of her work at The Diversity Movement, Shelley owns Douglas Alexandra, a digital marketing and brand activation firm focused on helping entrepreneurs and small businesses. Shelley also shares her expertise by speaking at various non-profit and business events and facilitating sales trainings, marketing workshops, and leadership conferences. She’s also a frequent on-air contributor to CNBC and MSNBC and a contributor to Forbes. She’s been a featured presenter at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, the Kenan-Flagler School of Business, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She’s delivered keynote presentations to several flagship organizations including, Allstate, Merrill Lynch, GE, various women’s business groups, and leadership summits globally. Shelley is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned her master’s degree at Northeastern University. Shelley is active in the community as a board of visitors member for The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, advisory board member for the Alexander YMCA, and DEI advisory group member for the American Marketing Association, member of Jack and Jill of America, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.