University of North Texas 
Tarsha M. LaCour
(Keynote Speaker)
Chief People Officer, Dallas Mavericks
About
In her role as Chief People Officer, Tarsha LaCour is responsible for leading the
people strategy in one of the most renowned sports teams in the nation. As the HR
leader for the Dallas Mavericks, her responsibilities include identifying and developing
leaders, creating the company’s diversity and inclusion trategy, aligning managers
with the company’s vision and priorities, payroll and benefit management and employee
engagement. She was appointed to this position in March 2018.
Previously, Tarsha served as a Human Resources leader with AT&T, supporting six officers and more than 10,000 employees in the Technology Operations organization. She has held numerous management roles in Human Resources including diversity and affirmative action, human resource and payroll management systems, and human resource generalist functions. She has also held lead operations roles as chief of staff to the Chief Diversity Officer and chief of staff to the SVP of Architecture and Engineering.
Tarsha has a passion for people, and her natural ability to connect with and understand the needs of employees has positioned her as a trusted resource within the organizations she has supported. She leverages more than 25 years of Human Resources experience to positively impact employee engagement and employee satisfaction within these organizations. Employee engagement actions led by Tarsha have resulted in record low attrition rates over the last few years, a best-in-class
compensation structure, employees developed to promotions, and back-to-back NBA Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Awards.
Not only is Tarsha leading in the world of sports and business, she also serves on the board of Community in Schools of the Dallas Region, addressing the basic needs of
children and working to improve grades and test scores, behavioral issues, and a myriad of other services to eliminate barriers to success.
Tarsha graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Art in Political Science, and a Master of Legal Studies from Washington University School of Law. The third of four children, Tarsha grew up in Houston, TX and now lives in Frisco, TX. She has two
girls, Sydney, 18 and Jordyn, 15. She is a volleyball, basketball, soccer and dance mom. Tarsha’s zeal for her work is superseded only by her devotion to cultivating strong values, confidence and perseverance within her own children, women and young girls across the nation.
Previously, Tarsha served as a Human Resources leader with AT&T, supporting six officers and more than 10,000 employees in the Technology Operations organization. She has held numerous management roles in Human Resources including diversity and affirmative action, human resource and payroll management systems, and human resource generalist functions. She has also held lead operations roles as chief of staff to the Chief Diversity Officer and chief of staff to the SVP of Architecture and Engineering.
Tarsha has a passion for people, and her natural ability to connect with and understand the needs of employees has positioned her as a trusted resource within the organizations she has supported. She leverages more than 25 years of Human Resources experience to positively impact employee engagement and employee satisfaction within these organizations. Employee engagement actions led by Tarsha have resulted in record low attrition rates over the last few years, a best-in-class
compensation structure, employees developed to promotions, and back-to-back NBA Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Awards.
Not only is Tarsha leading in the world of sports and business, she also serves on the board of Community in Schools of the Dallas Region, addressing the basic needs of
children and working to improve grades and test scores, behavioral issues, and a myriad of other services to eliminate barriers to success.
Tarsha graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Art in Political Science, and a Master of Legal Studies from Washington University School of Law. The third of four children, Tarsha grew up in Houston, TX and now lives in Frisco, TX. She has two
girls, Sydney, 18 and Jordyn, 15. She is a volleyball, basketball, soccer and dance mom. Tarsha’s zeal for her work is superseded only by her devotion to cultivating strong values, confidence and perseverance within her own children, women and young girls across the nation.