We’re excited to spotlight Tocqueville Society member and Vice President of Rewards for UPS, Malika Terry!
Malika Terry leads a team of experienced professionals in crafting and implementing the organization’s Total Rewards strategy for its 495,000 employees worldwide. This includes base pay, variable pay, equity, benefits, work/life effectiveness, global mobility, recognition and retirement.
For over 20 years, Malika has held leadership positions with responsibility for compensation, benefits and retirement plans, including executive compensation and executive benefit programs. She has worked for mid- to large-sized companies in logistics, hospitality, manufacturing, media, service, retail and banking. Her achievements include leading acquisition and divestiture activities, introducing parental leave programs, developing and implementing sales incentive plans and establishing salary structures for international locations.
Throughout her career, Malika has been driven by her passion to help companies foster healthy connections with their employees. Since 2011, she has shared her enthusiasm and expertise with other rewards professionals as a speaker and faculty member for WorldatWork.
She has volunteered with the Make A Difference Foundation since 2009 and currently serves as director of programs and planning. We sat down with Malika to learn more about why gives back to the Atlanta community and how she is navigating the pandemic with her family and colleagues.
Why did you decide to get involved with United Way of Greater Atlanta?
I decided to get involved with the United Way of Greater Atlanta after relocating to Atlanta from Cincinnati, OH where I was involved with the United Way of Greater Cincinnati.
Who or what inspires you to give back to the community?
I am inspired to give back to the community because, giving is a part of my DNA. I have a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Georgia and a Master of Business Administration from Mercer University, and I am passionate about helping people and contributing to the business community. I have an opportunity to utilize my MBA in my day-to-day work activities, and although I do not work in the field of Social Work, I have a strong desire to give back to the community and volunteering gives me a sense of purpose beyond my day-to-day responsibilities. I am also inspired to give back to my community in order to set a good example for our two daughters, Gabrielle (7) and Danielle (6); they both are kind-hearted and we want to continue to cultivate their compassion for others and their willingness to spend their time and energy helping to make the lives of others better.
What advice do you have to navigate the COVID-19 crisis (from a personal and/or corporate perspective)?
My advice is to find the best way for you to reduce stress as we all adjust to our “new ways of working” and interacting with family, friends, and co-workers. Leverage the programs that are offered by your company, especially if your company offers an Employee Assistance Program. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of Employee Assistance Programs and mental well-being benefits. If your company does not offer an Employee Assistance Program, seek guidance from your medical provider, community resources, and/or mindfulness applications or websites.
When asked about the benefits of becoming a Tocqueville Society member by way of the Global Payments Match, Malika shared that she decided to become a member of the Tocqueville Society after being introduced to the program as part of her UPS campaign. She said that she is “excited to be a part of this program” and joined because the match “enables participants to increase their contribution over a four-year period.” For those Cole, Young Professional Leaders (YPL) and other community members who are thinking about leveraging the Global Payments Match to become a Tocqueville Society member, Malika encourages individuals to get involved! She said the match is a great way for companies to “get more employees introduced to the various leadership levels within United Way of Greater Atlanta.”
Thank you, Malika for all the great work you do to engage 495,000 UPS employees! We are grateful for your involvement in the United Way of Greater Atlanta Tocqueville Society and in the Atlanta Community!
For those interested in learning more about Tocqueville Society and how to leverage the Global Payments match, please click here, or email Tocqueville@unitedwayatlanta.org.
