Beyond the Title: Tiffany Malone
Tiffany Malone (Wisconsin’s Most Influential Black Leaders, 2023) is a real estate agent with the Alvarado Group and co-founder of OWN IT: Building Black Wealth, a program that assists Black families become homeowners. Her varied career includes working in insurance for American Family Insurance and Allstate Insurance for several years, and at the state of Wisconsin in Social Security and disability for eight years. She is also on the board of the Realtors Association of South Central Wisconsin, which recognized her with the Good Neighbor Award in 2022. She graduated from Upper Iowa University with a bachelors in human services and a minor in criminal justice.
What does presence before performance mean to you – and how do you stay grounded when the pressure to perform is high?
Presence before performance means being completely aware, available, and mentally present before actually carrying out the task. As one would say “You have to get your mind right” Before you can efficiently complete any task you have to be mentally present.
What’s the best advice you’ve received from a mentor?
The best advice I’ve received from a mentor has been to use the tools you have. Surround yourself around the people that inspire you, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Tell us about a time you had to lead before there was consensus – when you were the only one who saw it, believed it or were willing to act. What gave you the courage to move anyway?
I honestly believe I fell into leadership naturally. There was a moment when I realized that following the crowd didn’t align with my values or vision. Everyone around me seemed comfortable sticking to the usual way of doing things, but I saw an opportunity for improvement that no one else was willing to act on. Instead of waiting for consensus, I decided to move forward and set an example.
At first, it was uncomfortable, leading without support can feel isolating. But what gave me the courage was knowing that progress often starts with one person daring to do things differently. I trusted my instincts and focused on the bigger picture rather than immediate approval. Once others began to see the results, they started to understand and eventually followed. That experience taught me that leadership isn’t about having authority or agreement; it’s about having conviction and the willingness to take the first step when no one else will.
What’s one question every new leader should ask during their first 100 days and why?
What is the change you’d like to see in the organization and why? I like to know what others are thinking and why. Are we in allignment with the vision of the organization and/or mission.
Who’s in your “corner” – that voice of wisdom you trust when things get tough? How do you build and protect that circle?
My mother continues to be a strong source of spiritual guidance in my life. At the same time, my work family has truly become an extension of my own family. They create an environment where I feel supported and empowered to be myself, to make mistakes, learn from them, ask questions, seek reassurance, and engage in open and honest conversations without fear of judgment. Respect is deeply important to me, and I’m grateful that our relationships are built on mutual respect, trust, and genuine care.
Leadership can be exhausting. What practices or boundaries help you avoid burnout and stay aligned with your purpose?
I’m still working on this.
Clout fades. Calling lasts. How do you stay anchored in impact over recognition?
I stay grounded in impact rather than recognition by never forgetting where I come from. My roots and the experiences that shaped me keep me focused on purpose over praise. The history, resilience, and injustices endured by people who look like me continue to fuel my determination to do meaningful work and create positive change.
What’s a leadership value you refuse to compromise even when its inconvenient?
A leadership value I refuse to compromise, even when it’s inconvenient, is integrity. For me, integrity means being honest, transparent, and consistent in both words and actions, even when no one is watching. Leadership often comes with pressure to take shortcuts or make decisions that might be easier in the moment, but I believe trust is built on doing what’s right, not what’s convenient.
What book, quote, lyric or even scripture captures how you lead or how you live?
“What you seek is also seeking you.”
When life gets heavy or leadership feels overwhelming, what’s something you turn to: music, travel or cultural connection that helps you feel like yourself again?
When life becomes too loud, I turn to silence. In a world filled with constant noise and endless demands, silence is where I find clarity. I need that space to slow down and process everything around me. Lately, it has felt like there’s never enough time to breathe, everyone seems to need something, and everything feels urgent.
Life has been heavy. No matter how hard you work, how much of yourself you give, or how loyal you remain, sometimes it still doesn’t feel like enough for others. That realization can be painful and overwhelming. In those moments, I’m reminded of the quiet strength of connection, like when a close friend sends a simple text that says, “I’m just checking on you.” It’s a small gesture, but it speaks volumes, reminding me that I’m seen, even in the silence.
Who is your favorite sports team?
No comment
What is your favorite holiday and why?
My kids’ birthdays- I love watching them grow. Their happiness is important to me.