New York City – June 19, 2025 – PanaGenius, the trailblazing media and experiential company redefining the global Black narrative, is proud to unveil the honorees for its highly anticipated 2025 BlackStars Awards—the signature ceremony celebrating the trailblazers, barrier-breakers, and change-makers shaping our future.
From powerhouse executives and tech innovators to financial strategists, cultural architects, and healthcare leaders, this year’s class represents the bold, brilliant force of Black talent and allies. Honorees were selected from over 500 nominations nationwide for their outsized impact across business, culture, and society.
“BlackStars isn’t just about recognition—it’s about rewriting the narrative of Black leadership globally,” said Sandra Babu-Boateng, Co-founder of PanaGenius. “This year’s honorees are more than accomplished—they are redefining what’s possible and what power looks like across sectors. They are the embodiment of legacy in motion.”
The 2025 BlackStars honorees include:
- Lashonda Anderson-Williams, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, Salesforce
- Abigail Epane-Osuala, Chief Culture & Belonging Officer, HR Strategy, GE HealthCare and President, GE HealthCare Foundation
- Frank Sanders, Corporate Vice President, Global Supply Chain, Intel
- Erika Irish Brown, Global Head of Talent Management & Engagement, Citi
- Uwem Ukpong, VP of Global Services, Amazon Web Services
- Sherry Ann Mohan, Chief Financial Officer, Chase Business Banking
- Leke Osinubi, Partner & Chief Information Security Officer, Goldman Sachs
- Alison Francis,VP, Chief Diversity Officer, Costco
- Guylaine Saint Juste, President & CEO, NABA Inc.
- Okorie Ramsey, Vice President of Sarbanes/Oxley (SOX), Kaiser Permanente
- Dr. Kiesha King, US Head of Education Strategy, T-Mobile
- Albert Abbey, SVP, Head of Enterprise Risk Management, VyStar Credit Union
- Shavonne Gordon, MD, Global Head of Talent & Diversity, Morgan Stanley
- Jayson Johnson, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Chief of Staff, Genentech
- Geneva Brown, VP, Chief Sustainability & Inclusion Officer, The Cigna Group
- Ashli Nelson, Head of Franchising Sourcing and Recruitment, McDonald’s
- Innocent Obi, Managing Director, North America Commercial Director Lead, Accenture
- Sophia Marshall, SVP, Head of Communications, Fiserv
- Cheryl Stallings, VP of Content, India and Asia, National Basketball Association (NBA)
- Dr. Tasha Austin-Williams, Principal & ED, AI Institute for Government, Deloitte
- Malcolm Ellis, Head of Diverse Investments, North America, Diageo
- Deirdre Tejada, Head of Belonging, Equity & Philanthropy and Head of People, EMEA Ralph Lauren
- David Femi, SVP, Business & Professional Banking Regional Manager, M&T Bank
- Kiersten Barnet, Executive Director, New York Jobs CEO Council
- Ray and Vivian Chew, Founders, Chew Entertainment
For the full list of honorees and their bios, please visit our website.
A Full-Circle Celebration: The 2025 BlackStars Experience
The 2025 BlackStars Experience will return to New York City on November 13–14, with an action-packed two-day program featuring:
- The BlackStars Summit & Expo (Nov 13): a full-day convening of thought leaders and corporate changemakers
- The BlackStars Awards Gala (Nov 14): an unforgettable celebration honoring this year’s exceptional class
Last year’s experience welcomed nearly 2,000 professionals from around the nation. This year promises even more impact, connection, and inspiration.
Key sponsors of the 2025 BlackStars Experience include Morgan Stanley, Genentech, GE HealthCare, Salesforce, TEKsystems, Webster Bank, and more.
To learn more, visit www.blackstarsexperience.com. For sponsorship and partnership opportunities, email contact@panagenius.com.
About PanaGenius
PanaGenius is at the forefront of connecting, informing, and empowering a new generation of African-Americans who embody the rich cultural diversity and experiences of today’s global Black community. Through initiatives like the BlackStars, PanaGenius continues to amplify the voices and contributions of the modern Black Diaspora, fostering a stronger, more connected global Black community.
Join Us
Mark your calendar for November 13-14, 2025, and join us in New York City for the BlackStars Experience. This event promises to be a powerful gathering of professionals, leaders, innovators, and change-makers dedicated to advancing the Black world. For more information and to register, visit our event website.
Media Contacts:
PanaGenius
contact@panagenius.com
www.panagenius.com
