What is your proudest accomplishment as a leader? 

My proudest accomplishments as a leader are rooted in my ability to help others grow and succeed rather than in personal accolades. I have been privileged to have a lot of wins. Still, even though we are an award-winning agency, I find fulfillment in our positive impact on businesses, individuals, and communities. I am the most proud when I receive feedback that we have helped a business to grow. It’s rewarding to see testimonies our clients receive from their clients who found us due to our work. Or when our work has impacted a company to survive COVID-19 when other businesses had to close. This feedback “fuels” me and the culture we have built at Above Promotions. The team is just as excited when we see these things happen. I feel accomplished when I see people I’ve recommended for work or speaking engagements nail it. I like cheering people on and seeing the positive impact they can make on countless others.

What is the one piece of advice you’d give to other aspiring women leaders?

My advice for aspiring women leaders is to embrace their natural leadership qualities but be aware of the unique challenges they may face. Women are natural leaders who lead homes, families, and peers all the time. We can nurture, encourage, and fix things. However, they must be prepared to navigate letting empathy for others hinder their decision-making and to learn to separate emotions from business decisions. For example, don’t allow a team member to drag down the entire team just because you know they need the money to support their family. There comes a time when you must decide when to add, multiply, and subtract and stand on those decisions based on the most positive impact on the situation. I also want to say women need to understand their value and not shrink to fit into spaces that were not made for them.

What inspires you most about your work or your industry?

I am excited by the possibilities of how marketing technology can be used to “level the playing field” and help businesses grow. The constant technological innovation and its potential to help small business enterprises operate at the same level as global companies is phenomenal. We are at a place in time to see generations impacted by growing new wealth and new nonprofits built to solve problems with the help of technology. I am also excited to see more women in rooms where I have been the only female before. Many of us are doing a great job of reaching out to help open the doors or stages to other women.

Who is a woman from history (or your own life) who has inspired you, and why?

In my life, Dr. McCauley, an engineering professor in college, invited me to research with the government. She was an example of an exceptional black woman in engineering, entrepreneurship, and leadership. My grandmother, mother, and spiritual mother were and are currently great examples of servant leaders. They always serve the community; others see that in them and often turn to them for advice.

From history, Maya Angelou. The life she led from equality to impacting nations, it’s hard not to see her levels of innovation and re-invention of herself as she journeyed this earth.

In one word, how would you describe the legacy you want to leave as a leader?

Change-maker

Share a favorite quote that motivates you.

“Failure is just a lesson on how not to do something.”