Leading with Intention

Faith, family, and making a positive impact in his community have always been key components for Gene Mance, Jr. “When people ask where I first saw myself as a leader,” he said, “I tell them, ‘Growing up in Gastonia, North Carolina, in my home and at my church.’”

Those early seeds of leadership would continue to be nurtured as he progressed through school and would fully blossom in his career at AT&T.

Finding Inspiration

One of the earliest times Gene remembers seeing himself as a potential business leader was, fittingly, as a member of the Future Business Leaders of America in high school. As Vice President of his chapter, he was able to explore his passions and skillset, like community outreach and team development, from a career-oriented viewpoint. He found even more ways to continue his development at college.

“College was a game changer. It helped me find my way!” he said. “I was super involved on campus. I became a leader within student government as a well as a faith-based organization. I was an ambassador for the business school and had the opportunity to join an incredible career development organization, where I’m still an alumni member and representative today.”

The community Gene joined is a professional development and crowdsourcing organization that hosts multi-generation conversations with university students, young professionals, faculty, administrators, and civil leaders. The goal is to challenge the misconceptions created by generation gaps.

“Because of that group, I had the opportunity to travel across the country and participate in these panels and think tanks and connect with leaders and executives from major companies.”

On a trip with the group to Los Angeles, Gene met a recruiter from AT&T who suggested applying to the B2B Sales Development Program; an event that would prove integral to his future career. He began to research AT&T as an employer and came across an article about black men in tech which focused on three AT&T executives. “I read that article and I saw myself in those guys. I thought, ‘if they can do it, I can, too.’”

Start Here, Go Anywhere

Gene joined the B2B Sales Development Program where young professionals learn how to be efficient sellers and how to succeed in corporate America.

Gene with some of his B2B Sales Development Program interns.

“You can start your career here and maintain and enhance key skills that will develop you as a well-rounded professional,” Gene said. “We have a great learning and development team. We have a stellar sales management team made up of proven leaders who have done the job themselves. There’s a built-in alumni network of B2B Program graduates. No matter where you go at AT&T, you bump into someone who came from this program.”

Upon completion of the program, Gene became part of a team supporting our enterprise partners and has taken on a larger part in leading with each new role. He has led key operational activities, employee engagement and retention strategy, and was part of leading the program that gave him his start. Through managing talent development, recruitment operations, marketing, communications, events, the college internship and social impact, Gene has helped lead over 1,100 early career professionals.

In 2024, Gene took on his newest role as Chief of Staff supporting AT&T Business Enterprise Markets. The enterprise team provides connectivity solutions for the public sector and a majority of Fortune 1000 companies across virtually every industry. It’s Gene’s most exciting challenge yet as the Enterprise Markets make up the largest portion of AT&T’s business portfolio.

It’s not only through this important work that Gene follows his passions.

People First

With AT&T Believes – where he serves as Digital Divide co-chair in Dallas – and through his other non-profit groups and councils, he works to combat issues like the digital divide and to provide opportunities for the advancement of others. As a part of the AT&T Black Marketing Advertising Council, he provides guidance on campaigns and programs to appeal to multicultural communities.

Gene also became a member of the Dallas Regional Chamber, where he is currently part of the DE&I Leader Connect Council and the Talent Attraction Council. His work with the Chamber is another expansion of his advocacy for youth education and professional development beyond AT&T initiatives and to the greater Dallas community.

Gene with his mother, Kay, at his college graduation.

“I feel like my purpose is to use business as a vehicle to do impactful and intentional work to touch the humanity of people. In my work, I get to impact people the same way it was done for me at home, or at church, or in school,” he said. “It’s about lifting while climbing and providing opportunities for others. I’ve gotten this far is because others have advocated for me.”

He continues his mission forward with AT&T because the company shares this philosophy – even in times of hardship.

“I remember when my mother died how my boss hugged me,” he said. “My whole team was there for me. I probably didn’t have to cook for an entire month. Everyone gave me handwritten cards and gifts. They just went above and beyond. There’s a great support system here.”

The outpouring from his team was especially meaningful as it is his mother’s wisdom that inspired, and continues to inspire him, in all he does. “My mom always told me, ‘Never forget where you came from.’” He does so every day by continuing to pay it forward.

“We are a purpose-driven company. We impact the communities where we work and live. When I look around, I see people that look like me that are thriving. I see a place where you can grow and have opportunities, and most importantly create opportunities for others.”