\"I didn’t drift into this life. I built it — by working backwards from the goal\" - Chardiney Jackson
In this episode of BLKGirl Ambition, Niya Baxter sits down with leadership strategist and executive coach Chardiney Jackson for a masterclass on designing your career on purpose. Chardiney shares her journey from Analyst to Vice President at JPMorgan — not as a story of luck or talent alone, but of vision, strategy, and intentional positioning. She breaks down how she reverse-engineered promotions, built leverage before opportunities appeared, and navigated the unspoken politics Black women often face in corporate environments. Together, Niya and Chardiney unpack the reality of going from “pet to threat” for many women of color and the mental narratives that quietly limit ambition.This conversation is about more than climbing the ladder. It’s about designing your next decade with clarity, building relationships that matter, honoring the season you’re in, and recognizing that sustainable ambition requires both strategy and self-awareness. If you’re a Black woman building inside corporate — or considering what’s next — this episode is your reminder: Don’t drift. Design.
Keywords:
Black women in corporate, career strategy, intentional career design, corporate politics, pet to threat, leadership development, executive coaching, career advancement strategies, networking for women, personal branding, career pivots, leadership
Takeaways:
Don’t drift into a career. Design it on purpose.
Build relationships before you need them — networking is leverage, not small talk.
Black women often navigate unspoken rules in rooms not built with us in mind.
Grit matters — but strategy compounds faster.
Your early environment shapes your ambition — own it, don’t downplay it.
Promotions don’t just happen. You position, document, and make your case.
Flexibility isn’t confusion — it’s strategic adaptation.
If your foundation isn’t secure, it’s hard to design your future (Maslow still applies).
Stop reacting to circumstances. Start creating your next move.
Self-awareness is power. Emotional intelligence is executive currency.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Black Girl Ambition
03:01 Meet Chardonnay Jackson: A Journey of Ambition
09:54 Navigating Corporate Challenges
12:48 The Cost of Success
17:46 Transitioning from Corporate to Education
21:01 Designing Your Career with Intent
27:37 Overcoming Mental Barriers in Career Growth
32:10 The Importance of Community and Support
35:16 Introduction to Wellness and Ambition
35:36 Navigating Multiple Roles
37:29 The 'Pet to Threat' Phenomenon
41:14 Strategies for Resilience in the Workplace
48:29 Embracing Failure and Growth
51:34 Final Thoughts and Advice
Get in touch with Chardiney!
Website: www.eliteleaderscc.com
IG: @thechardiney and @eliteleaderscc
Thanks for all your love and support. Tag me while listening @blkgirlambition and @glamourgirlniya
If you have episode ideas, questions for me, or would like to be featured as a guest send me an email, niya@blkgirlambition.com