Dr. LaDonna Boyd is not your typical CEO. As the fifth-generation president/CEO of the R.H. Boyd Family of Companies in Nashville, Tennessee, she’s a powerhouse of innovation and creativity, transforming the business landscape while championing social causes close to her heart.
An advocate for economic empowerment, Dr. Boyd is dedicated to creating opportunities for underserved communities, elevating educational access for all, and driving forward wellness initiatives. Her academic, professional, and most importantly, personal pursuits reflect the vision for a life well-lived.
She earned her bachelor’s in economics and with a minor in French from Spelman College, followed by an MBA with a finance concentration from Tennessee State University. She completed her with a Doctorate in Education with a focus on organizational leadership from Pepperdine University. She further honed her skills by earning two certificates in from Harvard University’s Extension School in Digital Marketing Strategy and Artificial Intelligence in Business: Creating Value With Machine Learning.
Her influence extends far beyond the office. Dr. Boyd plays pivotal roles on several boards, including serving as the newly elected Chairman of the Holding Company for Citizens Savings Bank and Trust, as well as a member of the boards of the National Museum of African American Music, and the Nashville Ballet. She is also a founding member of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, working closely with the curatorial team on the three Boyd family exhibitions currently on display. She is also a former member of the Metro Davidson County Historic Zoning Commission, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, and the Economic and Finance advisory board for the College of Business at Tennessee State University.
Dr. Boyd’s community accolades and involvement are as diverse as they are numerous. She’s been honored with the Top 30 Under 30, Nashville Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40, Leadership Nashville, Distinguished Alumni recognition at Lipscomb Academy, and the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame. Her achievements also include the prestigious Madame C. J. Walker Award from Mother AME Zion Church in Harlem, New York, and two resolutions from Davidson County, Tennessee, recognizing her community service and celebrating R.H. Boyd’s 125th anniversary. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She has also earned two certificates in French perfumery from the Grasse Institute of Perfumery in Grasse, France. An aficionado of fine fragrances, she blends her unique creations, adding a personal touch to her multifaceted life.
Outside the professional sphere, Dr. Boyd’s passions include hiking, practicing yoga, and indulging in fashion and luxury travel. Her favorite pastime is spending quality time with her fiancé and their two dogs.
Quotes from Dr. Boyd:
“I stand before you as the proud leader of an organization that has lent its voice to positively uplifting the narrative of Black people. There is no greater time than the present to become a storyteller and shape the narrative of this experience. Through R.H. Boyd, we have a multitude of resources that showcase the beauty and diversity of the Black voice. Since its founding by my great-great-grandfather in 1896, we have been an active supporter and participant in the liberation of our people for five generations, and now is not the time to rest on our laurels.”
“As a publishing company, we are storytellers. We have the ability to shape the minds and experiences of the masses. As a Christian company, we have the significant responsibility and opportunity to draw people into the Kingdom through the written word.”
