#HerStory: Resilience in the Face of Change with Tasha Hussain Black.

by Gabriella Traverso

Tasha Hussain Black's career spans a remarkable journey of over 25 years in business leadership, strategic development, and marketing, currently serving as the Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, Marketing and Communications at Owens Community College. Alongside leading her teams at Owens, she teaches as an adjunct professor at Bowling Green University, delving into key strategies for organizational structuring and productive team building.

When asked about the common denominator in her leadership philosophy, Tasha reflected on the evolution of her experience and how that has shaped her fundamentals. “As my career evolved and I gained more leadership experience, I realized it was really about a couple of things: strategic leadership and servant leadership. Strategic leadership, for me, means being incredibly clear and transparent with my team. I want everyone to understand their roles, goals, and responsibilities, and how they fit into the mission. Servant leadership is at my core because I had great mentors who truly embodied it. I want to help others grow, not just in their careers, but as people. I believe we’re always placed where we can make an impact on others.”

Communication is Key

Communication remains one of the biggest challenges teams face across organizations. Clashes in goals, consensus, and desires stem from different perspectives above all else; an understanding that’s being brought to light as more businesses work towards personalized efforts. Tasha emphasizes the importance of networking and how building practical skills carries from career to career, especially in communication, to avoid those misunderstandings.

Although academia is a critical value for Tasha, not everything about professional development can be experienced through a traditional curriculum. “I always tell students that the way to differentiate yourself in your career is to be the most curious and the best communicator. Academic scores fade, but how you connect with people stays with you.” By utilizing realistic examples from the industry, challenging decisions, and strategic priorities in the classroom, Tasha prepares her students with direct parallels to the working world. She even employs her own experiences within the industry, both successes and setbacks, and how they have taught her valuable lessons. The workplace is a space that’s constantly evolving in its culture, and the bridge between practical business engagement and academic studies still needs to be strengthened through clear, active communication, a mission Tasha champions throughout her career.

Building and Building

Tasha emphasizes that one of the few things that remains a constant throughout everyone's careers is change. Whether a change in position, coworkers, or a total pivot towards another field, externals within the industry are constantly shifting. The constant evolution of organizations supports Tasha's goal to build a solid foundation of values of strategic and servant leadership while still growing on a personal level. "Change is constant, and the most successful professionals are those who adapt, stay curious,

and continue learning."

Tasha with her team at Owens Community College's 60th anniversary celebration

Tasha aims to instill “resilience in the face of change” in her students. Through encouraging reflection among her class, Tasha advises that the best way to grow and lead is to recognize yourself as a whole; to know your strengths, weaknesses, and leadership style. “That awareness allows you to grow as a leader, recognize your blind spots, and create space for all perspectives while motivating others to do their best.” 

Students are allowed room to invest in themselves, facilitating a patient and practical mindset that doesn't paint any leading styles in black and white. The ability to grow and change, Tasha explains, is essential for success.

One of Tasha's must-haves, both in the professional world and on a personal level, focuses on constant self-investment and care. She refuses the idea of anyone ever being "finished" with their career or with themself, as life will constantly present challenges that require adaptability; it's the reaction to these challenges and the decisions made to address them that signify growth. "Skills and titles will change over time, but your reputation, work ethic, and network will stay with you throughout your career." Tasha also emphasizes that the more experience someone receives, the more they can mold their perspective and find security in their mistakes, viewing them as learning opportunities rather than fundamental errors. "Instead of viewing those moments as failures, I try to ask: what can I learn from this and how does it prepare me for the next opportunity?"

Human Beings, Not Oiled Machines

A fundamental for Tasha, emphasized throughout the interview, is to make connections. To have a secure network is to have a community of allies who will advocate for you and recognize your growth, talents, and ethic, with Tasha describing the benefits as a "two-way street" that works to lift everyone. "Your network, mentors, advocates, and champions often open doors and create opportunities you could never predict." However, Tasha clarifies, feedback and criticism are equally valuable as enthusiastic support. A constructive team wants to see changes and growth, and the right network will direct you towards areas in need of attention, always with the best intentions in mind. "Feedback is a gift. Being clear and open to feedback is critical. I tell my teams and students to get comfortable with feedback because it’s the greatest tool for growth." Criticism is inevitable, no matter how seasoned someone may be in their career, and the more open-minded and acting on that feedback, the more our perspectives shift and progress.

Not only does Tasha emphasize the connection towards people, but towards the job itself. When asked about the shifting opinions towards productivity and purpose within the workspace, Tasha reflected on how many new professionals focus more on the environment rather than their career. While not fully understanding professional trajectories is perfectly fine for many new graduates, if there's a long-term disinterest in the work they do, a substantial amount of self-reflection can be lost, and fulfillment can be highly clouded. "You can white-knuckle a job for a while, but if it doesn’t align with your internal values, the days and weeks will feel long, and fulfillment will be low... make sure your values align with the organization’s values. It’s a two-way street, and self-discovery is critically important—knowing what energizes you and what doesn’t."

Tasha also acknowledged the potential generational gap between seasoned professionals and new workers, and how work is often valued by older generations through maximum productivity, while newer generations value impact and personal boundaries. Both of these perspectives, and the need to communicate and connect them, remain one of Tasha's priorities as someone who readies students for the workforce. To her, fostering healthy, open-minded professional environments is key to productive work, an implemented system of trust and respect that only serves to open doors for one another.

Through resilience, patience, and connections, Tasha has grown over the course of her career as a powerful, kind leader who embraces different perspectives and challenges as tools for growth in her journey. Her demonstrations in self-determination and investment have had a tremendous impact on the greater Toledo community, guiding students, new workers, and established professionals alike. For Tasha, preparation is key. "Be bold enough to pursue opportunities, but patient enough to understand that timing matters. Your job is to prepare yourself for the opportunity—the organization and circumstances will determine when it arrives."

Tasha, with our Executive Director, Nina Corder at 2026 International Women's Day Signature Luncheon.

Tasha, throughout the interview, carried her aspirations with passion and direction, adapting and building on each answer. Academics remain close to her heart, and it shows; her favorite spring break activity, she recites, is visiting Washington D.C. with her family and learning about the nation through various museums. Between March 17th and 20th, Tasha is in Washington D.C. once more, delivering a presentation to the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations, focusing on transforming team cultures to align with institutional priorities. Her research and leadership continue to make a tremendous impact, not only in Toledo but on a nationwide scale as well.

Tasha Hussain Black is the Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, Marketing and Communications at Owens Community College. Her impact on the community manifests among confident young leaders, effective marketing strategies, and growing professional development. Thank you, Tasha, for giving so much to the community and for being an amazing friend to the Women of Toledo crew! 

Learn more about Tasha's NCMPR conference here: https://www.ncmpr.org/national-conference