And Still We Rise!
This year, our theme is “And Still We Rise!” We asked our honorees to reflect on how they have risen above challenges—both professionally and personally. Their responses honor the obstacles they faced, the strength they discovered, and the determination that carried them forward.
“When faced with personal or professional challenges, I rise by first grounding myself in purpose. Challenges are not barriers; they are invitations to reflect, reset, and grow stronger. They refine my character, strengthen my faith, and remind me that resilience is built through perseverance, not perfection (although I have been known to be a bit of a perfectionist). In moments of uncertainty, I return to my “why.” Leadership, to me, is not about having all the answers; it’s about showing up with grace, courage, and conviction, even when the path forward is unclear. I draw upon faith, discipline, and the audacity to keep moving, trusting that each obstacle holds a lesson that prepares me for greater impact. I also rise through the community. I am intentional about surrounding myself with purpose-driven individuals who pour light when life feels heavy, those who challenge, encourage, and hold me accountable. I believe deeply in lifting as I climb because when one of us rises, collectively, we all rise. Ultimately, giving up has never been an option. My journey is anchored in faith, fueled by vision, and guided by a commitment to leave every person, place, and organization better than I found them. Rising is not simply what I do; it is the pulse of who I am.“
Dr. Marian Y. Woods, DBA,
Chief Human Resources Officer, Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh
Dr. Marian Y. Woods, DBA, is a Golden Key International Honour Society scholar, retention strategist, audacity coach, and global corporate executive with more than 30 years of experience in human resource management and business transformation. She has held senior HR leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies such as AT&T, Verizon, and The Hartford, and has led human resources functions for more than 17 years. Dr. Woods previously served as Commissioner of Human Resources for the City of Atlanta under Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and currently serves as Chief Human Resources Officer for the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh. She is also CEO of Propel Enterprises LLC, a consulting firm specializing in transformational human capital strategies.
Dr. Woods earned a BS in Organizational Management, an MBA in Human Resource Management, and a Doctor of Business Administration in Leadership. She is the creator and trademark holder of the Fourfold Cornerstone of Productive Existence®, a signature leadership development framework.
A proud graduate of Leadership Atlanta (Class of 2017), Dr. Woods has served on the Boards of the Fulton County Boys & Girls Clubs and currently serves within the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. She is an active member of the Pittsburgh Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the Pittsburgh Steel City Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc.
Her accomplishments include being named one of Georgia’s Most Powerful & Influential Women, a Rolling Out Magazine Top 25 Woman, and a Trumpet Awards Foundation High Heels in High Places honoree. In 2024, she was recognized as a Top 10 Human Resources Professional by the OnCon International Icon Awards.
An accomplished writer and speaker, Dr. Woods co-authored the Amazon bestseller Black Women Speak and produces the Propel Leadership Development Summit, an annual event empowering women through her Fourfold Cornerstone framework. She resides in Pittsburgh, PA, and Conyers, GA, with her husband, Raymond Woods.
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