She understands the realities of business and the need for adaptable solutions. Through training, development, and personal styling, she tailors every experience to fit the unique needs of each client.
Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Tamara Abney Professional Empowerment was created to help clients rise above common obstacles to success through world-class soft-skills development, etiquette training, and elevated personal styling.
Her programs build confidence, polish, and executive presence—while The Style Advantage ensures clients present themselves with intention and impact.
Tamara brings out the best in you, so you can bring out the best in your business, your brand, and your career.
HOW WE WORK
How we Work
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Tamara Abney partners with both employers and individual professionals, providing tailored development experiences that strengthen confidence, communication, presence, and professional polish.
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Coaching is offered in both group formats and 1:1, designed to be efficient, practical, and aligned with the needs of today’s fast-paced workplaces.
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Our course content is built around the core skills and behaviors shared by highly successful business leaders—skills every professional needs to get noticed, build influence, and outperform competitors. Training can be customized for an entire organization, a department, a team, or an individual.
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Tamara often works as an extension of an employer’s Human Resources or Professional Development departments, offering training and support not traditionally available at the university level—including preparing new recruits for success.
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Specialized training and seminars can be developed to support key business initiatives, strengthen internal teams, and enhance client-facing performance. We also prepare professionals to conduct business confidently in both local and international environments.
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Through her styling brand, The Style Advantage, Tamara also provides elevated personal presentation and brand-image guidance, helping clients align their professional skill set with a polished, credible presence.
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Tamara is available to partner with universities and colleges, helping students develop the skills and presence needed to excel in their next phase after graduation.
Let us empower you and your organization to foster stronger business relationships, enhance professional and personal presence, increase profitability, and build a more confident, connected team.
As the founder of Tamara Abney Professional Empowerment (formerly Ivy Crown Protocol & Business Solutions), Tamara brings over two decades of leadership in corporate training, corporate relations, hospitality and tourism, sales, digital marketing, and business development.
Her background as a former model and celebrated pageant titleholder enhances her unique ability to coach clients in poise, confidence, presence, and elevated personal style. Through her styling brand, The Style Advantage, Tamara blends business acumen with image expertise—helping professionals, public figures, and emerging leaders refine how they show up and how they are seen.
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Masters of Science in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis on Employee Relations, Robert Morris University
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Certified Intercultural Etiquette & Protocol Trainer, The Protocol School of Washington
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Certified Workforce Development Professional (CWDP), by the National Association of Workforce Professionals
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Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) by the Events Industry Council
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Certified Association Sales Executive (CASE), by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)
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Certified Digital Event Strategist (DES), by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)
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Executive Education Certificate in Hospitality & Tourism Management, Florida Atlantic University
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate, University of South Florida Corporate Training and Professional Education
Tamara’s intercultural knowledge gives her clients the edge they need to build better local and international business relations. For her clients, this translates into greater business opportunities.
Tamara is the current Vice President of Community Relations and Outreach at Entrepreneurs Forever and most recently held the position of Senior Manager, Business Solutions at Per Scholas, where she lead Employer Relations efforts and served as Professional Development Coach for the Pittsburgh Campus. She has also served as the Director of Multicultural Sales for the Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau and National Sales Director at Visit Pittsburgh (Greater Pittsburgh Convention and Visitors Bureau).
Community service is a large part of her life. In 2015 she founded SisterFriend, Inc. a Pittsburgh non-profit organization dedicated to supporting women’s health initiatives. Tamara is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a Sustaining member of the Association of Junior Leagues International Inc. She is the current America's Most Beautiful Mrs. Pennsylvania 2026, former Mrs. Pennsylvania International 2024 (top 15) and former Mrs. Pennsylvania America 2022, placing in the top 6 at the National Pageant.
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