My Story
Early Life & Education
A small-town girl from Woodbury, Tennessee who refused to wait for permission.
Growing up in rural Tennessee, Cicely learned early that opportunity doesn't wait, you build it.
Her father, a U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam, raised her and her brother like little Marines.
No shortcuts. No excuses.
One rule above everything: lead yourself before you lead others.
It's the foundation every chapter of her career was built on.
She applied to Pepperdine University School of Law without the grades to get in; and convinced them to give her six months to prove herself.
Three years later, she graduated with the highest award Pepperdine gives.
Capitol Hill: Where Leadership Was Forged
Six years inside the most powerful legislative environment in the world.
In 2002, Cicely joined the campaign of U.S. Congressman Lincoln Davis.
When he won, she went to Washington as his Legislative Director.
For 6 years on Capitol Hill, she managed policy for two U.S. Congressmen, navigating complex legislative battles, building coalitions across party lines, and learning how power actually works.
During that time, she helped write bills signed by U.S. President George W. Bush.
Over the course of all 30+years, Cicely authored and negotiated legislation with Bush, Obama, Biden and both Trump administrations.
Fortune 150 & 500 Corporate Leadership
From youngest VP at Dunkin' to chief advocate for an $1.5 trillion industry.
In 2008, Cicely joined Dunkin' Brands as Director of Government Affairs, building their Washington, D.C. government relations office from the ground up.
When Cicely was promoted, she became not only the youngest VP in the executive ranks at that time but also the only woman and person of color.
She was then recruited to lead the National Restaurant Association as Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, Chief Spokesperson and Chief Advocacy Officer for the entire $1.5 trillion U.S. restaurant industry.
By the time she left in 2018, she had worked directly with three U.S. Presidential administrations and led the industry through every political cycle.
Building Her Companies
Two firms. One mission: Helping leaders and companies create greater impact.
Summit Public Affairs — Founded 2018
One of the only African American female-owned bipartisan public affairs firms in Washington, D.C. Clients include Starbucks, Planet Fitness,Vanda Pharmaceuticals, and the City of Memphis.
She knows how government works because she worked inside it.
She knows how business operates because she led it at the executive level.
That combination is rare, and it's what Summit was built on.
21st Century Leadership Institute — Founded 2021
Built from a pattern Cicely saw across 30 years: smart, capable leaders with no system for leading at the next level.
The Institute delivers the C.H.A.I.R. leadership framework through executive coaching, group accelerators, and custom organizational programs; for individual leaders, teams, and organizations.
Author, Speaker & Thought Leader
Forbes reached out to Cicely. Not the other way around.
The result was Pull Up Your C.H.A.I.R. — a 4.8-star Amazon bestseller featured on the Times Square billboard.
She also writes a monthly leadership column for Forbes.
She keynotes national conferences and corporate events across industries.
And she delivers the same framework from stage that she teaches in her programs; the one leaders walk away using on Monday morning, not just applauding on Friday afternoon.
Personal Faith
Same values she learned as a child. Still just getting started.
The most important acknowledgment is her faith in Jesus Christ. Every door that opens and every door that closes is God showing a different path.
She would never have guessed her career would be in business and politics.
But as Cicely writes in her book:
"Even if you are not a person of faith, believe that there is something greater than you leading and directing your path."
At 50, Cicely says: I'm just getting started.
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