Darnetta Tyus, MBA
Darnetta Tyus, MBA, is an accomplished public administration and government relations leader with over 20 years of experience driving municipal and workforce development initiatives. She has a proven track record of designing and implementing large-scale workforce programs, securing multimillion-dollar funding, and leading projects that foster job creation, skills training, and community empowerment. Her expertise spans strategic planning, fiscal management, stakeholder engagement, and public-private partnerships, enabling her to deliver sustainable outcomes and improve operational efficiency across multiple municipalities.
Throughout her career, Darnetta has held senior leadership positions including City Manager for Stone Mountain, GA, and College Park, GA, as well as Deputy City Manager of Community Affairs for Petersburg, VA. She has overseen multimillion-dollar budgets, spearheaded major redevelopment and economic growth initiatives, and successfully led workforce development programs that expanded opportunities for local residents. Her approach emphasizes strategic vision, community engagement, and operational excellence, consistently yielding measurable results for both governments and citizens.
Darnetta’s professional recognition reflects her impact and dedication. She is a Leadership Fellow with Leadership Greater Chicago and has received awards including the Champion Award for Economic Business Stability from the Virginia Municipal League. With an MBA in Finance from Keller Graduate School of Management and a BS in Accounting and Finance from DePaul University, she combines academic rigor with hands-on leadership. Darnetta is widely respected for her collaborative style, strategic insight, and commitment to empowering communities through effective governance.
• DePaul University- B.S.
• Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University- M.B.A.
• Champion Award-Economic Business Stability
• Leadership Fellow
• Executive Leadership Institute Fellow
• National Forum for Black Public Administrators
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my passion for making a difference and my tenacity to see challenges through.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received, from my politically savvy mother, was: "Government and politics are all a simple math equation."
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to trust yourself completely—you already have everything it takes to succeed.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is finding people who are truly invested in government and public service.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity and a genuine willingness to help others.