Ruqayyah is an Agile Discipline Leader at BBVA USA where she brings innovative expertise and adaptive best practices to lead the organization’s agile transformation.  A certified project management professional, Ruqayyah has lead initiatives in all phases of the project delivery life cycle for more than a decade.  Her diverse experiences coupled with her ability to manage complex projects have resulted in substantial cost savings and on-time performance within budget using multiple frameworks and methodologies.

Prior to her role as Agile Discipline Leader, Ruqayyah served as a Regional Operational Manager, responsible for the operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and business continuity for 15 branch locations at a national financial institution. In this role Ruqayyah was recognized by her peers and received the “Best by Any Measure” award.

Additionally, Ruqayyah has served in supply chain and senior sourcing roles at the bank where she was recognized as the #1 Top Sourcing Manager for two-consecutive years.

Community oriented and service focused, Ruqayyah has served as a volunteer and Board Member for Cahaba Valley Healthcare and a past Jr. Board member of the YMCA. Ruqayyah is an active member of the Jefferson County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.

A product of the Birmingham City School System, Ruqayyah graduated from the University of Alabama-Birmingham and obtained her Executive MBA from the University of Alabama. She is the proud mother of 2 loving and active children, Yusuf (son) and Sahirah (daughter).

Driven, methodical, faithful and passionate all describe Orazio Mancarella, a VP and HR Solutions Developer at BBVA. Also a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve, Orazio Mancarella received the Bronze Star for his work with the U.S. Department of State to stabilize the Iraqi banking industry while deployed.

Mancarella extends his personal and professional talents and resources to many organizations including Omega Psi Phi fraternity, INROADS and the United Way where as a loan executive he raised over $1.3 million. Orazio was named to the Alabama Leadership Initiative Class III, and has established the Jennica Kimberly Endowed Scholarship at the University of Alabama in memory of his late wife.

Orazio is a native of Mobile, AL with a B.S. in Finance and an MBA from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Dedicated and committed to family and community, Orazio currently resides in Hoover with his three energetic children; son Oliver and daughters Haley and Sophia.

Earlisha is a native of Bessemer, Alabama. She attended the University of Alabama where she studied business administration. After graduation, she began working at UAB where she earned an MBA. After a short experience in Georgia, she returned to Alabama to attend law school. She graduated in 2013 and began working for a global boutique labor and employment law firm before joining the litigation team at UAB. She is currently a member of the human resources leadership team. Earlisha is married to her high school sweetheart and they have two beautiful children. In her spare time, she enjoys home renovations, watching HGTV, and traveling.

LaTasha Nix is an enthusiastic, result driven professional who has been highly successful
working with federal and state government, non-profit organizations, K-12 districts, and post-
secondary institutions. During her educational and professional path, she has developed skills
and familiarity with industry practices; innovative strategies for federal, state, and local
government; strengthened her skillset needed for leadership roles; and developed training in
sophisticated analytical techniques and methodologies. She can account for millions in grants
secured and managed throughout her 18 plus years of blended experience.

LaTasha is a member of the Council for Opportunity in Education, National Academic Advising
Association, Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel, and Past
Member of American Society for Public Administrators. She is an active member of the
Birmingham Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and finds joy in
volunteering with youth initiatives.

A product of Birmingham City School system, LaTasha holds a Master of Public Administration
degree from Troy University and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Faulkner
University. She is the mother of an adult son as well as a young scholar who attends Legacy
Prep Charter. She enjoys writing poetry, exploring wineries and camping.

Adrienne is a passionate advocate for children. For 17 years, she has managed and supported the Supply Chain Industry at Trillion Communications. When she’s not supporting the kids, she enjoys going to dinner, yoga, movies, and crafting.