Paula Marshall, author of Finding the Soul of Big Business, is the CEO of Bama Companies, a family-owned business founded in 1927. Her vision serves as a guiding light for Bama team members, inspiring the company to live out its mission: "People Helping People Be Successful. Paula stepped into the role of CEO in 1984 and has led Bama through years of growth while staying true to its people-first roots. Today, Bama is a global organization that includes Bama Pie, Bama Foods, Bama Frozen Dough, Beijing Bama, and Bama Europa. Paula is known for blending strong business leadership with heart, focusing on servant leadership, meaningful work, and creating lasting impact for employees, customers, and communities. Paula discusses the food service industry, communication in the workplace, and her foundation that has created schools to educate children in Ghana GUEST BIO As CEO of Bama Companies, Paula provides strategic direction and leadership across the organization. Her vision guides Bama team members and inspires the company to live out its mission, "People Helping People Be Successful." Paula took on the role of CEO in 1984, leading a company that has since grown to include Bama Pie, Bama Foods, Bama Frozen Dough, Beijing Bama, and Bama Europa. Under her leadership, Bama has expanded its reach, offering a wide range of frozen desserts and baked goods to fast-food chains as well as casual and family dining restaurants. Paula earned her Bachelor of Science in business from Oklahoma City University in 1982 and later completed her PhD in commercial science there in 1993. She is the author of four books and believes that successful business leaders must embrace both entrepreneurship and strong management to truly thrive. https://thepaulamarshall.com/story/ https://paulamarshallfoundation.org/ Paula Marshall obtained her Associate's Degree from Tulsa Community College and her Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate from Oklahoma City University. Paula has been CEO of Tulsa-based international food manufacturer, Bama Companies, Inc. since 1990. Bama's mission statement is; People Helping People Be Successful. This ethos includes the Bama team members, their families, and the community in which they live, work, and serve. In living out this mission, Paula has served, started, or partnered with numerous organizations and causes in and around Tulsa including: The Margaret Hudson Program, DVIS, Food On The Move, and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Her mission extends around the world: Paula has helped build five schools in Ghana, educating over 1,000 children to set them up for a successful life. Paula has also been recognized for numerous awards and distinctions. Including being inducted into the Tulsa Hall of Fame, Advocate of the Year for DVIS, The Journal Record's Woman of The Year, and being named one of the 25 Tulsans Who Shaped Our City by Tulsa People Magazine in 2011, and most recently, becoming a 2021 inductee into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. VIEW AWARDS Bama Companies has been recognized for countless awards during Paula's tenure Including being the first manufacturer in Oklahoma to become a certified B Corp, recognized by the Tulsa Chamber, B Corp, McDonald's, Yum Brands, and many others as a top inclusive workplace and receiving the prestigious Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce. Paula has done extensive work to make sure Bama is a positive work environment for all team members. In 2016, Paula started the Bama Caring Center which provides team members and their families free access to certified counseling, legal support, and representation as well as financial counseling. Additionally, the Bama Foundation includes several programs that help team members and their families in times of need and unexpected emergencies. About the book Finding the Soul of Big Business Too often businesses, large and small, have structure themselves to be goal oriented. Milestones, statistics and the bottom line are pursued like quarry pelts to be displayed on the belts of CEOs. Business leaders cannot be faulted for such approaches because, for the most part, we all are products of a post-twentieth century Western (American) culture that sees society in terms of winners and losers. Worth is too often ascribed to birth order, gender, race, region, class and any other characteristics that can be assigned a category. "People helping people be successful through caring and accountability." — Paula Marshall
