Malika Terry

Malika N. Terry is a human resources executive with extensive expertise in total rewards strategy, executive compensation, and HR transformation. With more than 25 years of experience, Terry has led total rewards strategies for Fortune 50 companies such as UPS and other global organizations, managing mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, and workforce transformations.

Terry has held key leadership roles at InterContinental Hotels Group, Printpack, Graphic Packaging International, Cox Enterprises, and SunTrust Banks, advancing total rewards operations and compensation programs across multiple industries.

During her tenure at UPS, Terry served as vice president of total rewards and HR mergers and acquisitions, and was a member of the global total rewards leadership team. In this capacity, she oversaw executive remuneration, designed and administered short- and long-term incentive programs, prepared the proxy statement, compensation discussion and analysis, and compensation tables, and participated in compensation committee meetings with the UPS board of directors, contributing to enterprise-wide total rewards strategies and programs. Terry is known for translating complex compensation and benefits concepts into actionable insights for executives, boards, HR teams, and employees.

Terry is also the founder of CompTalk101, a platform focused on creating people-centered workplaces through innovative total rewards strategies and HR expertise. Through CompTalk101, she provides instruction, speaks at industry events, and advises on total rewards best practices. As a faculty member with WorldatWork, Terry delivers virtual and in-person courses on total rewards and benefits strategy, leads professional certification courses, serves on the Compensation Advisory Council, contributes to industry publications, and reviews the body of knowledge for compensation and benefits certifications.

Terry is a Herndon Directors Institute Fellow and serves on the Plan Sponsor Council of America's Leadership Council, offering strategic insights on trends and best practices in compensation and benefits. She has presented at major industry events such as the WorldatWork Total Rewards Conference, sharing techniques for HR and total rewards leaders to present strategies, gain executive buy-in, and demonstrate business impact. Terry holds an MBA in international business from Mercer University and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Georgia.