BA Communications
Bachelors
Stanford University
1978
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Faculty
Faculty
Tanya Penny Woods (She, Her)
Director
Department/Office
- Information Systems & Supply Chain Management
Biography
Tanya Penny-Woods is the recently appointed Director of the Center for Excellence in Supply Chain Management (CESCM) at Howard University's School of Business. In her visionary role, Ms. Penny-Woods seamlessly integrates complex supply chain challenges and real-world applications into the academic environment, collaborating with esteemed professors and high-ranking executive leaders from diverse industries. Her focus is on equipping students with strong analytical skills and strategic business acumen essential for excelling in leadership positions within both corporate and governmental sectors. Additionally, she spearheads the Supply Chain Capstone/Integration class, leveraging the expertise of top-tier consulting firms to guide students through intricate live business case studies.
Before her current role, Ms. Penny-Woods held the position of Senior Vice President of Real Estate at Verizon Communications, overseeing a $2 billion budget and managing a workforce of over 3,000 employees and contractors. She also served as Verizon’s Chief Procurement Officer, responsible for $35 billion in sourcing and planning activities, driving a significant $4 billion spend with diverse suppliers. Her extensive leadership experience spans Corporate Finance, Financial Operations, and Telecommunications Network Planning. Ms. Penny-Woods has a proven track record in business process transformation, management systems implementation, and small business development.
Ms. Penny-Woods is deeply committed to community service, actively contributing through several philanthropic organizations, including The Links, Incorporated and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She is a resolute member of the Board of Directors for the Ivy Community Charities of Prince George's County and the Woodmore Homeowners Association, where she also served as Treasurer for four years.
Education
- MBA in Finance from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania
- BA from Stanford University
Ms. Penny-Woods has participated in various post-graduate classes, including innovative leadership courses focusing on lessons from historical figures Abraham Lincoln and Eleanor Roosevelt.
Education & Expertise
Education
MBA Finance
Masters of Business Administration
University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School
1980
Expertise
Business Transformation Leader
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- Created and implemented tools and methodologies to reduce cycle time for various accounting operations functions, including Accounts Payable, Payroll, and Asset Accounting.
- Implemented and automated enterprise-wide records management strategy, resulting in improved compliance and controls.
- Standardized financial analysis and planning process for innovative technology rollout.
- Transformed various organizations, increasing strategic output, improving analytical skills, and creating high-performance teams.
- Revamped global real estate operations and structure to improve accountability and customer responsiveness.
- Centralized disparate sourcing and procurement functions, resulting in global synergies savings; Implemented enterprise-wide best practices, impacting 200,000+ employees via cross-functional teams.
- Developed new processes and systems, transitioning 80,000 employees to paperless, e-commerce efficient processes.
- Transformed call center procurement strategy. Developed and implemented national and international call center organizations.
Academics
Academics
Supply Chain Courses
Undergraduate Procurement
Undergraduate Negotiations
MBA Procurement
MBA Negotiations
Supply Chain Integration/Capstone
Howard University Courses - Business School - Supply Chain Management
Procurement, Negotiations and Integration (Capstone)