Marla Etheridge is a versatile professional excelling in community engagement, project management, marketing, and event operations. As the Director of TC-BEN, she plays a pivotal role in managing operations and ensuring sustainability, with over a decade of diverse involvement in the organization.

Marla's career journey includes roles as a Senior Events Director for a prominent community-based nonprofit and Events Management at a higher education institution, where her strategic direction and management significantly impacted event experiences. Before her event leadership roles, Marla excelled in consultancy positions as a marketing project manager, collaborating with various clients and delivering invaluable oversight.

Her commitment to professional development extended to her role on the Board of Directors for the local chapter of the National Black MBA Association, where she served as the Director of Programming.

Marla's unwavering dedication to cultivating environments that foster connectivity, growth, and learning reflects her genuine passion for connecting people and driving personal and professional advancement.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Marla finds balance by embracing her inner yogi, embarking on culinary adventures, jogging in nature, and immersing herself in the vibrant tapestry of local social happenings.

Quincy Foster is a seasoned I.T. professional with over 24 years of experience spanning project and product management, digital transformation, web and cloud services, infrastructure, cybersecurity, software development, A.I., and business analytics. Quincy's expertise is complemented by more than 11 years of experience in post-secondary education, corporate business, and I.T. teaching.

Quincy's involvement with TC-BEN began in 2018 when he volunteered for the winter social event, and he subsequently became an official committee member in 2022. Quincy recognizes TC-BEN as the ideal platform for networking, collaboration, and fostering meaningful relationships with fellow Black professionals in the Twin Cities area.

In his leisure time, Quincy enjoys creating educational content, hitting the gym to lift weights, strolling around the lakes, and indulging in video gaming, balancing his commitment to personal growth with well-deserved relaxation.

Garnetta Lowman, an Associate Consultant at Michael Anderson Consulting and an Account Manager at Neka Creative, holds Project Management and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion certifications from the University of Minnesota. She possesses a B.A. in Business Management/Spanish and a Mini-MBA in Nonprofit Organizational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas, reflecting her deep commitment to addressing social justice and racial disparities.

Garnetta actively contributes to the Facilitating Racial Equity Collaborative (FREC) as a Core Leadership Team and Marketing Committee member. She also serves as a volunteer coordinator for the Overcoming Racism Conference and mentors young marketing professionals through Brandlab's summer internship program.

Committed to advancing opportunities for Minnesota's Black community, Garnetta lends her expertise in strategy, project management, and marketing to TC-BEN programming. In her leisure time, she treasures moments with friends and her two children, finding joy in laughter, sunny beaches, seafood, and neo-soul music.

With more than ten years of business and sales leadership expertise within the Tech industry, Dontavis Funderburk brings a wealth of experience. Originally from Charlotte, NC, he relocated to the twin cities in 2017. His motivation to join TC-BEN stemmed from a desire to engage with fellow black professionals in the region and cultivate a feeling of inclusivity. During his leisure hours, he finds pleasure in activities like traveling, attending concerts, and indulging in a game of tennis.

Fatima Ali is a healthcare professional with years of experience in dentistry and advocacy. She is passionate about creating and facilitating spaces and conversations that connect people.

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Years ago, Fatima discovered TC-BEN and became a member while searching for inclusive spaces for Black professionals. She loves that TC-BEN creates space for diverse Black professionals and the sense of community it provides.

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She is part of the planning team, where she contributes to organizing events and activities that foster connection and growth.

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In her spare time, she enjoys nature, reading, naps, listening to her favorite podcasts, and spending time with family and friends.

Kenneth Scales is an enthusiastic member of the Twin Cities Black Employee Network, where he has passionately served on the planning committee for the past year, building on his impressive seven-year connection with the organization as an avid attendee of past programming.

With over 16 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Kenneth's last six years have been devoted to the art and science of fundraising. Alongside his professional achievements, Kenneth proudly serves as the Owner and CEO of "The Bowtie Billionaire" since 2016, demonstrating his entrepreneurial prowess.

Kenneth's commitment to community and service extends beyond his professional roles.

Whether leading his company, volunteering, or spearheading fundraising endeavors, his dedication shines through. In his leisure time, he finds joy in quality moments with his son, exploring new travel destinations, reading books together, and preparing him for Kindergarten—a testament to his dedication to family and personal growth.