Gloria Tapley- Miles
Gloria Tapley-Miles is a retired Learning Facilitator and Leadership Development instructor with over 23 years of experience at Delta Air Lines, where she specialized in training and mentoring employees across reservations, airport customer service, and leadership programs. Throughout her tenure, Gloria designed and delivered training initiatives such as Service From the Heart, Station Leader Workshops, and cross-divisional leadership development courses. Her work focused on fostering consistency, competence, and professionalism, while also mentoring facilitators and supporting organizational growth through observations, evaluations, and one-on-one coaching. Gloria was recognized as part of Delta’s Top 100/Chairman’s Club class of 2013, an honor highlighting her exceptional contributions among 80,000 employees.
Before joining Delta, Gloria built a diverse career spanning arts administration, education, and community leadership. She served as Assistant Director of Cultural Affairs for the City of Tuskegee, coordinating community arts programs and publications, and worked with the Alabama State Council on the Arts and Humanities on grant writing and festival coordination, including projects with the National Black Arts Festival and Fox Theater. She also taught K–6 in private schools and trained ministry leadership, demonstrating her lifelong commitment to mentorship, education, and community service.
A graduate of the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, Gloria combined her creative talents with her passion for teaching and leadership development. Since retiring in 2021, she has returned to her roots in the arts, pursuing theater and music, while also offering independent contracting for small-business training, particularly in customer service and crisis management. Her career reflects a dedication to service, integrity, and empowering others, blending creativity, leadership, and hands-on instruction to leave a lasting impact on both the corporate and community spheres.
• The University of Alabama- B.F.A.
• University of Phoenix- M.B.A.
• Delta's Top 100/Chairman's Club class of 2013
• National Black Arts Festival
• Georgia State Arts Council
• Alabama State Council
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my work ethic and persistence, always demonstrating my skills and competence through action rather than just words.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received came from a blunt college instructor who motivated me to work harder, and from a friend who emphasized the importance of saving early and contributing to multiple savings and retirement accounts.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to follow your passion, continually build your skills, keep a side enterprise or backup plan, and prioritize financial preparedness by starting a 401(k) and building savings early.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field is that many small, especially Black-owned, businesses lack access to quality customer service training, while the greatest opportunity lies in providing affordable training and crisis-management programs to these communities to improve service standards and create career pathways.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in work and life are honesty, trust, patience, a strong work ethic, and demonstrating professional confidence.