Tonya R. Walley, M.S.E.

Forward-thinking and visionary executive leader with extensive experience across telecommunications, media, nonprofit, and technology sectors, dedicated to driving large-scale business transformations, optimizing operational efficiency, and fostering inclusive leadership. Committed to integrating strategic governance, cutting-edge technology, and workforce development to enhance financial performance, elevate customer experience, and position organizations for sustained growth.

As a results-oriented Transformational Operations Leader, Tonya Walley brings 20+ years of expertise in leading complex, high-impact initiatives, involving the modernization of field operations, execution of cost-saving strategies, and development of data-driven solutions to enhance productivity and service quality. She excels at orchestrating strategic business transformations, leveraging digital innovation, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement to drive long-term success.

Foster a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and high performance while championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. As a pioneering advocate for women in nontraditional roles, Tonya successfully led the development of Optimum’s first-ever 50% female leadership in field operations, shattering industry norms and creating pathways for equitable career advancement.

Showcase proven success in optimizing financial performance, overseeing multi-billion-dollar revenue portfolios, and executing cost-reduction initiatives to achieve substantial savings/operational excellence.

Excel in driving AI and digital transformation strategies, streamlining workflows, and leveraging predictive analytics to enhance service efficiency, customer engagement, and workforce optimization.

Utilizes strategic foresight and deep expertise in mergers, integrations, and change management to modernize systems, improve workforce agility, and align corporate strategy with evolving market demands.

Dedicated to drive talent development initiatives; mentoring high-potential professionals, and implementing leadership programs that empower teams to drive innovation, efficiency, and business success.

As a Senior Vice President Operations at Optimum, Tonya leads national field operations across 21 states, overseeing a $329M budget and managing a workforce of over 3,000 employees. Her strategic leadership has delivered multimillion-dollar cost savings, streamlined operational frameworks, and propelled double-digit improvements in customer experience metrics. Recognized for driving operational efficiency and financial impact, she led initiatives that resulted in 19% reduction in repeat service calls, 25% decrease in Change of Service (COS) repeats, and 35% boost in technician productivity.

With a commitment to operational excellence, customer experience optimization, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), she spearheaded transformative business initiatives to redefine organizational culture, strengthen employee engagement, and drive sustainable business expansion.

While serving as a Vice President, Field Operations Strategy at Cox Communications, Tonya spearheaded enterprise-wide operational enhancements, ensuring seamless execution of strategies that bolstered service delivery, workforce management, and financial performance. Her leadership was instrumental in implementing transformative process improvements, leveraging advanced technology, and refining high-volume dispatch center operations to drive unparalleled service excellence.

As a senior leader, Tonya supervised high-performing cross-functional teams, providing strategic leadership to four regional directors and workforce of 600+ employees. She managed residential services, commercial field operations, and plant activities, ensuring seamless execution of business objectives, optimized resource utilization, and achievement of critical delivery targets. Her expertise in process optimization and operational efficiencies has been instrumental in enhancing service quality and driving organizational performance.

• Showcase distinguished career in steering large-scale operations, optimizing organizational performance, and driving strategic growth with a track record of transforming business functions and elevating customer success.
• Spearheaded field operations with agility and resilience during challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing robust safety protocols to maintain highest standards of employee and consumer well-being.
• Provided strategic training and personalized development to cross-functional teams, fostering a high-performance culture that earned team the esteemed “Top Team Award” for excellence (Cox Communications).
• Lead development and execution of enterprise-wide transformational initiatives, leveraging cutting-edge tools and streamlined processes to position organizations for long-term growth and sustainable success.
• Leverage lean engineering and process improvement strategies to streamline operations, drive cost optimization, and enhance organization-wide efficiency, productivity, and overall performance excellence.

Tonya’s academic and professional credentials underscore her commitment to continuous learning and strategic execution. She holds a Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.) in Network Engineering and a Master of Science (M.S.) in Telecommunications Management from Stevens Institute of Technology. She further honed her expertise with certifications from Harvard Business School (Strategy/Execution), Cornell University (Financial Management), and NAMIC Executive Leadership Development Program. She earned a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt from University of Georgia, reinforcing her proficiency in process optimization and efficiency-driven leadership.

Beyond her professional achievements, Tonya is a Black LGBTQ+ female executive, she is a vocal advocate for inclusive leadership and intersectional representation in corporate America. Her journey exemplifies the power of resilience, authenticity, and transformational leadership, inspiring the next generation of executives to lead with purpose and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Key Highlights

• Cultivated and executed effective cost-saving strategies, achieving $9.9M reduction in installation expenses and additional $955K in fleet management.
• Led OMS Google Reviews Initiative, driving an industry-leading rating increase from the 2.0 range to 4.31, enhancing patient and customer engagement.
• Won “Most Powerful Women Award” and Luminary Award, based on outstanding contributions to business performance, leadership development, and mentorship.
• Oversaw $13Bn revenue stream while managing $830M in operational expenses with a focus on cost efficiency, strategic investments, and sustainable growth.
• Showcased exceptional financial acumen while managing $100M operating expense budget and $1.3Bn in annual revenue.
• Successfully reduced OSHA/DART incident rates 25% through development and execution of comprehensive statewide safety program while ensuring workplace safety, compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Contributed toward elevating productivity 10%, optimizing Net Promoter Score 10+ points, enhancing service quality 5%, and driving 10% boost in employee engagement.
• Led logistics, distribution, and supply chain initiatives that resulted in a 14% increase in food distribution while reducing operational costs $800,000 within 18 months (Community Food Bank of NJ).
• Oversaw strategic planning and execution of distribution operations to surpass produce distribution targets 10%.
• Administered a $6M operations and customer service budget, enhancing procurement efficiency 5%, reducing costs, and improving supply chain reliability.
• Featured in publications such as “Girl to Boss” for strategic vision and contributions to drive inclusive leadership excellence across male-dominant industries.