About Us

Raised in a rural town in North Carolina, Dr. Mary M. Gillam is a former member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) Corps with the Department of Defense at the Pentagon, and a retired Air Force Colonel.  She is also a licensed and ordained minister in the National Church of God, where she serves as the Director of the Military Care and Share Ministry.  She is also the Sunday School Superintendent and a long-time member of the Voices of Worship choir.

Although Dr. Gillam grew up with her blind grandmother, picking cotton, and held her first full-time job at 11-years of age (working as a cook in a highway café), she never forgot from where she came.  She is the epitmoe of what faith, hard work, and determination can do. 

After 40 years in senior executive leadership, management, and technology positions, this former Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Director of Technology, Innovation, and Engineering at the Pentagon decided to follow her passion and dream of helping to build champions and change lives.  Finding purpose beyond the uniform became her motto.

A graduate of the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University, Dr Gillam is an experienced CEO, having started multiple businesses.  She is also an Amazon #1 best-selling author, and the inventor of the corporate board game, the "Leadership Build Zone" which has been used by corporations, government, nonprofits, and universities.  She has written 15 books, and currently hosts and produces her own local TV show called "Leadership Table Talk."  Dr. Gillam is also the creator of the C.O.R.E Leadership Development Model, and a proud graduate of the Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) Program.  

A seasoned leader with a servant's heart, Dr. Gillam brings a wealth of experience to MVA.  Having lived and worked internationally, and served on numerous Boards, Dr. Gillam has been awarded multiple civilian and military leadership and humanitarian awards.  She has also won three Telly awards, and three Communicator awards for her local television show. 

With a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry from North Carolina A&T State University, Dr. Gillam continued to pursue her education by earning four Masters Degrees to include a masters in information systems technology, and a PHD in Management Information Systems Technology, and a Doctorate in Ministry.  She is a strong proponent of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

A bonafide giver who has never forgotten her roots, Dr. Gillam's motto is "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."