Today we’d like to introduce you to Lakeya Cherry.
Hi Lakeya, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my career as a social worker working with a variety of populations in NYC and CA; I did this direct practice work for about three years after acquiring my Master’s degree. I began to feel as if my career and growth had stalled and decided I wanted to utilize my social work training in a nontraditional way. This led me to secure work at a tech startup in DC. I did this for a few years before becoming the CEO of an international nonprofit organization. I served in this role for 9 years and recently resigned to focus full-time on coaching and consulting.
I am now an executive leadership coach, CEO of Lakeya Cherry LLC, a coaching and consulting business, and Partner at Evolution, Silicon Valley’s premier coaching, consulting, and investment firm for start-ups & high-growth companies to drive long-term, holistic success.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I’ve navigated a variety of challenges in my career, but the biggest obstacle has been myself and getting out of my own way.
I often tell my clients if you don’t have your back and if you’re not in your own support section, the road is going to be so much more challenging.
When you know who you are, and are confident in your abilities and experiences, then any other obstacle is easier to overcome.
Needless to say, I have experienced bias on the basis of my age and race. I have experienced toxic burnout-inducing cultures, poor leadership, harmful colleagues, and other oppressive unfortunate situations that had the potential to break me but fortunately did not.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I created Lakeya Cherry LLC to help leaders at all levels become the leader they envision.
In my business and as a Partner of Evolution, I serve as a coach, trainer/facilitator, speaker, and consultant/advisor. My services include individual and group coaching, bespoke workshops, and offsites. In addition, I also offer Google #IamRemarkable and customized Brené Brown Dare to Lead™, courage-building workshops.
My mission is to build the internal capacity of leaders through daring leadership, clear visioning, and unwavering intentionality. What this means is that I am committed to helping leaders to become more emotionally intelligent and doing inner work to address the roadblocks and barriers that prevent them from being the leaders they envision. I help them to determine where they need to be more courageous and carve out a vision and path for taking action. In addition, I support organizations by leading processes for them to do the same self-reflective action-oriented work of creating inclusive, courageous cultures where all people belong and are committed to the mission and vision of the organization.
I want potential clients to know that I am passionate about this work and will meet each of my clients where they are while also supporting them and holding them accountable for progress. My work with my clients is informed by my lived and professional experience in addition to my unique educational background. I develop a partnership with my clients and seek to work with them in a meaningful, collaborative way.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Books: Dare to Lead- Brené Brown
Crucial Conversations- Joseph Grenny and Kerry Patterson
Inward- Yung Pueblo
The Four Agreements- Don Miguel Ruiz
Podcasts:
On Purpose- Jay Shetty
We Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lakeyacherry.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakeyacherry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lakeyacherryllc
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lakeya_cherry
Image Credits
DFinney Photography
