North Star
To help first-generation talent build personal and career resilience
Troy P. Thompson is a Personal Development and Leadership Consultant who partners with workforce development organizations, trade associations and universities to provide professional development program consulting and training.
He also Chair’s the Professional Development Committee at Sponsors for Educational Opportunity, serves on the advisory board at the executive training company, Ragan Communications, and is a Transformative Leadership advisory board member at Pace University’s Lubin School of Business.
Troy also provides self-leadership coaching to millennial and Gen Z professionals to help them conquer limiting beliefs and take action in pursuit of their calling — cataloging those best practices via his #BetterWithTroy video series.
A Harlem native and first-generation college graduate, his passion is rooted in a first-hand understanding of how a lack of positive guidance can negatively affect one's likelihood for success. A noted advocate for diversity, inclusion, and mental health, Troy's commentary has been featured in various publications including Black Enterprise.
Previously, he served as a digital strategist at the Public Relations Society of America, where he spearheaded the association's digital marketing efforts before being tapped by Havas PR to drive social media strategy and global community management for client brands and partner agencies. He remains a Strategic Advisor to the Museum of Public Relations.
At the invitation of the Museum of Public Relations, Troy and C-Suite leaders from major global communications firms work together to create a development plan for the institution
Troy meeting and learning community development strategies from billionaire money manager Robert F. Smith
Troy speaking to communications agency leaders on the how they can build inclusive cultures and retain their diverse talent
“Investment Club” Yearbook Photo
Troy pictured at his first workshop with fellow organizers and mentor Dr. John F. Dickson (center right)
Origin Story
Troy’s teaching journey began at the age of 15 while taking an AP Economics course that introduced him to the world of investing. This class was particularly interesting to Troy because he was never made aware of the concept of investing growing up and felt that his peers could also benefit from what he was learning. This realization led Troy to establish his high school Investment Club after convincing his closest friends and Principle to invest in a brokerage account on the clubs behalf.
During the three years that followed, Troy taught new and prospective members about the principles of investing and began to understand how information (or a lack thereof) can affect ones perspective, sense of optimism, and behavior.
This insight stuck with Troy and his passion for teaching followed him through college where his professor and early mentor, Dr. John F. Dixon, inspired him to facilitate what would be his inaugural professional development workshop to a diverse audience of first-generation CUNY students — the success of which opened Troy’s eyes to the importance of information accessibility and the positive impact he is capable of making within his community and across the globe.
Haiku Poet
Troy is also an accomplished haiku poet whose work has won international competitions, published in the industry’s highest regarded publications, and flown to the planet Mars.
His work is inspired by the fragility of life, love, and identity.
