ABOUT PAMELA JOLLY, Torch Enterprises, Founder & CEO
Pamela brings more than 18 years of proven leadership and strategic management expertise in financial services, real estate, education, media, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors. A former banker and research strategist, she incorporates both the financial and strategic objective of projects while linking both to the individual needs of the community. She has developed marketing strategies across several industry groups to drive profitable growth through acquisition and customer management campaigns. Her Corporate expertise lies in finance, strategy, segmentation-based marketing strategy and execution, and insight research studies through qualitative and quantitative methods. In early 2004, Pamela came to realize that she needed to identify opportunities where she could better align her profession with her passion for helping African American Businesses and communities grow and develop.
The result was the launching of Torch Enterprises, a firm focused on creating, sustaining and increasing legacy wealth for women & minority owned businesses and their communities. The firm works to overcome financial oppression by working together with various sources of capital to form closed loop economic circles in communities. For the past nine years she has worked advising minority businesses, under-served communities, and faith based organizations on how to best transform their communities via a shared community vision combined with alternative investments and unique fundraising methods. She is well versed in investment strategies that incorporate both the social and financial returns desired by private, corporate and community investors.
Pamela served as a contractor for FEMA in 2005 where she underwrote over $200 million for municipalities in Mississippi that were affected by Hurricane Katrina and later went on to lead the team that authored the strategic assessment of how to rebuild the Greater New Orleans area post Katrina. This experience highlighted importance of knowing how integrate minority business development with government, large corporate entities and community to drive economic impact and change in under- served communities.
Pamela is a requested speaker both nationally and internationally, lecturing and advising businesses and leaders with her research and work in places such as Korea, China, Japan, Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, and Jamaica. She speaks across the country on the importance of legacy wealth creation through ownership and equity highlighting collaborative investments and personal accountability in under-served communities.
Pamela holds a B.S. From Hampton University, an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, a Masters in Theology from Boston University School of Theology, and is currently pursuing an Ed.D. from The Graduate Theological Foundation.
www.torch-enterprises.com
In 2012 Pamela completed a national qualitative study of faith and finance in the African American community where she investigated behaviors and beliefs around legacy wealth creation, ownership, faith, and entrepreneurship. Findings from this work were used to establish The Narrow Road™ a unique method that assists individuals, entrepreneurs, and groups in navigating their way to build legacy wealth via ownership. Her book, highlighting the research behind The Narrow Road™ will be released early next year.
This summer Pamela continued her studies at Oxford University School of Theology Summer Program exploring topics such as liberation theology, christian ethics and the theological implications of the global financial crisis.
This Fall Pamela began teaching at Philadelphia University's Strategic Design MBA Program (SDMBA). SDMBA is for high-potential professionals who want to be well-positioned for big opportunity — whether in a major corporation, nonprofit or entrepreneurial venture. This program combines the best of business school with the best of design thinking.
CEO|
Torch Enterprises Inc
From January 2004 to Current • 22 year(s)
Strategic investment company focused on raising capital and awareness of Small and Minority Business Enterprises, managing client engagements across retail, technology, education, media, healthcare, and non-profit sectors.
Founder|
The Narrow Road Community Development Initiative
From January 2009 to December 2011 • 2 year(s)
Created custom-tailored curriculum based on qualitative assessment of over 6,800 participants to educate SMBE's and communities on financial management, ownership, and entrepreneurship.
Contractor|
FEMA
From January 2005 to December 2005 • 0 year(s)
Underwrote more than $200 million for municipalities in Mississippi affected by Hurricane Katrina and led team that authored strategic assessment for rebuilding Greater New Orleans area.
Senior Strategist|
Rosetta Marketing Strategies Group
From January 2002 to December 2003 • 1 year(s)
Developed marketing strategies across industry groups to drive profitable growth through segmentation-based marketing strategy, new product development plans, and consumer insight research studies.
Senior Associate|
Dubois Partners
From January 2001 to December 2002 • 1 year(s)
Evaluated private equity investment opportunities across multiple sectors, built financial models, managed due diligence process, and monitored performance of existing portfolio companies.
Manager|
Accenture
From January 1999 to December 2001 • 2 year(s)
Managed client engagements in banking, capital markets, insurance, and technology industries focusing on product management, marketing, customer relationship management, and strategic initiatives.
Assistant Vice-President, Treasury Management|
NationsBank
From January 1997 to December 1998 • 1 year(s)
Created strategic unit to increase profitability of Mid-Atlantic clients, managed portfolio of 450 business relationships with $50 million in aggregate deposits and $12M in credit facilities.
Commercial Banking Officer|
NationsBank
From January 1995 to December 1997 • 2 year(s)
Managed and increased $160M portfolio of commercial accounts in non-profit and association industry, including major deals for Holocaust Museum and Washington DC MCI Sports Arena.
Credit Analyst|
NationsBank
From January 1994 to December 1995 • 1 year(s)
Assessed financial strength of potential clients through industry analysis, equity analysis, corporate valuation, and risk assessment. Created Excel-based tracking system for credit approval and documentation.
