Women on the Move
PUBLISHED March/April 2008

Tatyana Renee McCall is a very multi-talented woman. She was born and raised in Seminole County, in Winter Springs. She attended local public schools. As a high school sophomore, she studied abroad as an exchange student in 5 different countries in Europe (London, Paris, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain) and 1 country in Africa (Tunisia). She received high school and college credits enabling her to graduate early from high school after her junior year. She began her collegiate aspirations at the University of Miami in Miami, Florida where she majored in International Finance and Marketing. While attending the University of Miami (FL) she worked in the Sports Information Department as a Student Assistant. There she learned the intricate details of public relations and sports marketing. She had the privilege of learning how to promote high profile athletes for national awards such as the Lombardi and Butkus Awards. It was there at the University of Miami, that she met a young man, Ray Lewis that would become her significant other for 12 years. She later transferred to the University of Phoenix where she graduated with a B.S. in Business Management. She went on to further her education at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida where she graduated on the Dean’s List from an Accelerated MBA program; her concentration was in Management and Marketing.

   Upon graduation in 2002 with her MBA, Tatyana signed on as the Director of Public Relations for the Kenard Lang Foundation headquartered in Orlando, Florida. Kenard Lang is now a retired, 10-year veteran of the NFL (Redskins, Browns, and Broncos). His foundation supports youth and education and individuals and families dealing with Cancer. Prior to Kenard’s retirement the foundation served in the communities where he played as well as in Orlando where he was raised and resides in the off-season. It was with the Kenard Lang Foundation that Tatyana received her start and began to make an impact on the lives she touched in many capacities.

   She was responsible for the management and operations of the organization in conjunction to the public relations duties; Fundraising, Special Events, Celebrity procurement, Corporate Sponsorships, and Grant writing were some of the other responsibilities. She worked closely with the personnel in the community relations departments for the teams Kenard played for to coordinate special events hosted by the foundation, media events, and Kenard’s public appearances.

   Ms. McCall is also an adjunct professor at the University of Phoenix where she is leaving her mark teaching public relations and marketing to undergraduate students. She enjoys being able to utilize the classroom as an opportunity to bridge the gap between textbook learning and application. She facilitates the learning process through current events and analysis. “Teaching enables me to make a contribution in the preparation of future marketing and public relations professionals. Public Relations is a social science about relationship building with no absolutes, things are constantly being discussed amongst practitioners within the field, and therefore it is important to me to relay to my students how to become effective in the industry.”

   Because she has a firm commitment to education and understands the value of a quality and diverse education, Tatyana is currently working on her Ph.D. in Applied Management and Decision Sciences specializing in Leadership and Organizational Change at Walden University. She is featured in their current marketing campaign in their commercials. She is taking her time in completing her research in conjunction with her other responsibilities. Her dissertation focuses on the role that childhood family structures and socio-economic backgrounds play on the ability to become leaders and effective decision makers in the adult lives of professional athletes.

   It was the combination of McCall’s education and experience that made her the ideal candidate in the opinion of Zack McDonald, CEO of the arenafootball2 Daytona Beach ThunderBirds, to be on his team in the front office leading the public relations department. He felt if he could convince her to come on board and then have Herkie Walls teaching and leading the players, he would have a dynamic duo, hence thunder and lightening. “With leadership like this in house and on the field, I know we will be great, said Zack McDonald, I am looking for us to be unstoppable!” Upon visiting the website one could not help but realize that Ms. McCall is truly a minority in the front office staff; being the only African-American and the only woman. She serves as the Director of Public Relations. In her department, she manages a staff that consists of an Assistant Director and interns from Stetson University, and a Media Assistant.

   Outside of work, Tatyana is a talented Gospel Artist grounded in her faith and is unashamed of sharing how good God has been to her; and her vocal ability is just as impressive as her academic and professional accolades. She has been singing in the church from a very young age. Tatyana is a God-fearing woman who uses her life story, both the highs and the lows, to encourage and minister to the spirit of others through songs. So I asked her when could we hear her sing, and she said they will be having a Faith Night at one of their home games, and she will probably sing then.

   Balancing her out, Tatyana is the proud single-mother of three children, all very active boys whom she had during her 12-year relationship with her college sweetheart Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Raven’s; Superbowl XXXV MVP.

   It is clear to see that this tenacious tag team is doing their part to develop Arena Football in Daytona Beach. The outstanding character, integrity, commitment to social change, and expectation of excellence pours from the spirit of each of them as soon as they begin to speak. They certainly appear to have what it takes to make an impact and a significant difference. Most importantly, they both know to look toward the hills from which cometh their help. The talent between the two of them should catapult the organization and the support of the community to great heights. They are movers and shakers in the Central Florida area. So keep an eye on I on the storm to see just what the thunder and lightning will bring.