Tonya Lehman
Tonya Lehman is a seasoned Project Manager with a dynamic career spanning property management, financial technology, and project implementation. Beginning her professional journey in the apartment industry, she gained hands-on experience in leasing, sales, customer service, and property accounting. Her early roles honed her skills in managing large-scale finances, navigating complex systems, and providing exceptional client support, laying the foundation for her later success in corporate and FinTech environments. Transitioning from property management to FinTech in 2017, Tonya quickly developed expertise in client implementations, system configurations, and project management processes. She has held roles such as Implementations Associate at Billhighway and Senior Implementation Project Manager at MeridianLink, where she contributed to client onboarding, internal process improvements, and team knowledge-sharing initiatives. Known for her proficiency with tools like SmartSheet and Asana, Tonya also emphasizes mentorship, people management, and creating strong customer outcomes through structured program and project management practices. Tonya holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and an MBA with a concentration in Project Management from the University of Phoenix. Her career trajectory reflects a dedication to growth, adaptability, and learning, moving from an initial pursuit of nursing to becoming a respected professional in program and project management. Throughout her career, she has earned recognition for her leadership, problem-solving skills, and commitment to fostering team development and client success.
• Own Your Voice: Improve Presentations and Executive Presence
• Executive Presence: Tips for Women
• Executive Presence on Video Conference Calls
• Developing Leadership Presence
• The Six Morning Habits of High Performers
• Essential New Skills in Project Management
• Artificial Intelligence: How Project Managers Can Leverage AI
• Change Management for Projects
• How to Become a Project Management Entrepreneur
• Business Acumen for Project Managers
• Mindfulness: A Critical Skill for Project Managers
• Managing Resources Across Project Teams
• University of Phoenix - MBA
• All Star Award
• CC 365 Award
• Meridian Link Multiplier award
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to my parents. Their unwavering work ethic, relentless drive, and belief in earning what you want—while staying grounded in gratitude—have shaped the foundation of who I am. I’m also deeply grateful for my mentor, Jennifer Van Hem. Her guidance, encouragement, and example of strong, compassionate leadership have played a pivotal role in my personal and professional growth.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t hold back your voice. Too often we become our own biggest obstacle, staying quiet because we assume our ideas won’t be valued. In reality, your experiences and insights are exactly what elevate the conversation. Speak up, share boldly, and contribute with confidence. When you do, you not only strengthen your own leadership presence—you help foster a culture where everyone around you feels empowered to do the same.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to prioritize hands‑on learning. Don’t hesitate to start in foundational roles—there’s tremendous value in understanding the business from the ground up. Take every opportunity to shadow colleagues, observe how different functions operate, and learn how the pieces fit together to drive results.
Set clear goals for yourself, stay focused, and push through the inevitable challenges. Hard work, persistence, and a willingness to grow will take you far. Success is absolutely within reach for anyone committed to putting in the effort.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in my field right now is adapting to AI. It’s becoming ubiquitous, and while there are still unknowns about how it will evolve, AI offers tremendous potential to streamline processes, accelerate implementations, and expand the digital reach of banks and credit unions. Embracing it thoughtfully can drive both efficiency and innovation across the industry.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that ground me—both professionally and personally—are a strong work ethic, genuine gratitude, and a deep commitment to mentorship. I believe in lifting others as I grow, prioritizing collaboration, and celebrating team success. When we invest in one another and focus on collective progress, we create the conditions for our greatest achievements.
Locations
MeridianLink
Burton, MI 48529