As reported here last month, a recent issue of Georgia Trend magazine echoes what many in the Columbus area already know about two-time Columbus State University alumna Hayley Henderson Tillery—she’s among the state’s “best and brightest” leaders. The 35-year-old is one of the 40 professionals who comprise this year’s “40 Under 40” list compiled annually by Georgia Trend. According to reporting by CSU's Michael Tullier, the publication seeks nominations for impressive, hardworking and community-minded people under 40 who are making a difference in the state. Current and past honorees span the gamut of public service and private companies; they are CEOs and lawyers, culinary experts and medical professionals, educators and executive directors. Tullier writes that Tillery was 26 years old when she began her role in 2017 as the first woman to serve as executive director of the Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center. Her duties range daily from sales, marketing and event planning to culinary services, operations and the management of a historic facility. Her leadership makes the trade center an integral part of local tourism—hosting more than 650 events each year and generating a $7 million annual economic impact for the city. Tillery holds two degrees from Columbus State: a bachelor’s in communication with a minor in business administration in 2012, and a master’s in organizational leadership and human resource management in 2015.
“My experience at Columbus State truly shaped the foundation of how I lead today,” Tillery said. “The university encouraged creative thinking, collaboration and community engagement—values I carry into every decision I make at the Trade Center. CSU gave me the confidence to lead with both strategy and heart.” She draws inspiration from multiple Columbus State mentors who have remained constants in her life—including President Stuart Rayfield, who taught servant leadership courses and led the Servant Leadership Program during Tillery’s undergraduate years. She still relies on the communication principles taught by Danna Gibson, a professor in the Department of Communication. The foundation laid in her organizational theory classes as a master’s degree student continues to serve Tillery as she pursues a doctoral degree in hospitality administration and management. "Management professor Phil Bryant opened my eyes to organizational leadership theory and how to balance when things do not go as planned,” she explained. “He has inspired me with his dedication to research and wanting to see the world around him improve. He is the individual who helped me find deeper value in academic research, and I’m grateful to have him as a resource for my doctoral studies and as I work on my dissertation.”
As an undergrad, she held titles including Miss Columbus State University (2011, pictured)), Miss Troup County (2013) and Miss Columbus (2014), and led in the Student Government Association and numerous college- and university-level student organizations. “Columbus State instilled in me the belief that leadership is most powerful when it’s rooted in service,” Tillery said. “My time [as a CSU student] taught me the importance of giving back—whether through mentoring students, volunteering locally or using my platform to help others succeed.” She continues to focus on service and servant leadership in her professional life. Last year, her annual “Breakfast with Santa” and “Princess for a Day” events raised $41,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network and $15,000 for Easterseals West Georgia, respectively. She remains active with the Miss Georgia Scholarship Competition as a local liaison and community advocate while also serving on the boards of Visit Columbus, Teen Advisors, Easterseals West Georgia and Uptown Columbus. In 2024, she was named to Columbus & the Valley magazine’s list of “5 Under 40.” Tillery is married to Rusty Tillery, and they have a four-month-old daughter.
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