The NICO Consulting Founder and Banking Executive, Ms. Michelle A. Nicholas, cops two prestigious awards on the same day. Whereas the innovation and vision of Michelle has been recognised through four major awards presented during the past three months, Thursday November 17th, 2022 was a very memorable day as she received two prestigious awards.
Michelle, who hails from Linden but now resides in Westchester County, New York, was on Thursday awarded with the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) Champion Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter for her work in advancing best practices in diversity, and her ability to create opportunities for all voices to be heard.
She was also named as one of 24 Women in Business in Westchester County and was accorded the prestige of being featured on the November/December magazine’s cover, becoming the first Guyanese to grace the cover of the magazine as the solo feature. She is featured in the Women in Business spread in acknowledgement of her outstanding achievements, as she continues to raise the bar and exemplify what is possible with commitment.
A sought-after mentor and executive coach, speaker and presenter with many firsts to her name, Ms. Nicholas continues to raise the bar and exemplify what is possible with commitment.
Michelle, who currently serves as the Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer, and Director of Community Development at PCSB Bank, is a member of the Bank’s senior leadership team responsible for shaping the institution’s diversity equity and inclusion (DE&I) strategy as well as engaging external audiences on areas of community development. She is credited with being the architect of the Bank’s DE&I strategy and their positive culture and community involvement.
Her work in bridging the gap between available resources and those who need them, has also led to her being named to the New York City & State’s prestigious Westchester Power 100 list.
The New York City & State’s Westchester Power 100 list highlighted prominent leaders in various sectors, including government officials, business executives, health care leaders, nonprofit heads, advocates and activists including Michelle A. Nicholas, IBM’s CEO Arvind Krishna, PepsiCo’s CEO Ramon Laguarta, Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah and state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
As the recipient of so many recognitions, Michelle’s response is:-
“I am truly honoured to be selected for these honours – and particularly for doing what I love — making a difference in people’s lives. Every award, every recognition tells a story and should always serve as a reminder. My global lens has always helped this work and my focus on People, Culture and Community.
“The work that we do must be intentional and not only focused on advancing ourselves, but the inclusion and advancement of others. Being the first is wonderful but we must commit to bringing others along with us. I am deeply grateful to be recognised for the work that I love to do.”
Her leadership and creation of several new initiatives to impact culture has also resulted in recognitions by Westfair Communications’ (Fairfield & Westchester Business Journals) 2022 C-Suite Award for her outstanding leadership, Crain’s New York Business with their Notable Black Leaders and Notable Diverse Leaders in Banking and Finance, the distinguished Alum of the Year award by the esteemed Leadership Westchester program, and Schneps Media – Caribbean Life’s with their inaugural Changemaker award.
Ms. Nicholas is known as a strategic and patient thinker, for her respect and empathy with which she approaches all people – regardless of position or title, and especially for the altruistic use of her expertise.
Her company, Nico Consulting Inc. (TNC) is a global consulting firm specialising in strategy and operations, marketing, communications, and leadership development. The company, which has offices in Linden, Guyana and Westchester County, New York, works with clients in the public, private, and non-profit sectors to dramatically improve overall performance, while growing revenue and market share.
Through TNC, Michelle guides corporate and nonprofit organisations as well as individual clients in Guyana and across the diaspora in business operations, executive mentoring, DE&I strategies, public relations and more, all in support of their growth and success.
Ms. Nicholas is the principal of the Nicholas Counseling Services and President of Sexual Assault and Family Education (SAFE Guyana) using both of these platforms among others to contribute to the health and well-being of her fellow Guyanese.
Nicholas is dedicated to the advocacy of women, children, and inclusive issues, and works locally and internationally to instigate change through intentional strategies.
She is the co-creator of the 25 Influential Women Leaders Award and the Women’s Leadership Program.
Committed to service above self, Ms. Nicholas is a mentor for Judge Judy’s “Her Honour” mentorship program.
She also serves on several boards that connect with her purpose including the PSCB Community Foundation, Women in Energy Guyana, Nonprofit Westchester, where she chairs the Racial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, United Way of Westchester and Putnam, where she co-chairs their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee and Westchester County’s African American Advisory Board, where she chairs the Economic Development Committee.
Michelle is also a Board member of Youth Shelter Program of Westchester, Rotary Club of White Plains, Westchester Women’s Agenda and The Counseling Centre.
For more about Michelle and her work, visit https://thenicoconsulting.com/
