Roar with Lakecia Gunter

In this powerful episode of the ROAR Podcast, Lakecia Gunter sits down with Shelmina Babai Abji—bestselling author, former IBM VP, and founder of ShowYourWorth.ai—to explore the transformative concept of intentional attention. From humble beginnings in Tanzania to becoming a global thought leader, Shelmina shares how learning to focus on what truly matters propelled her career forward and enriched her life.Together, they discuss how defining success on your own terms, setting healthy boundaries, building meaningful relationships, and cultivating deep reflection can drive both personal and professional growth. This conversation is packed with actionable strategies and inspiration for anyone feeling stretched thin or stuck in reactive mode. You’ll walk away with a blueprint for channeling your energy toward what matters most—and ultimately, becoming unstoppable.In This Episode, You Will Learn:[02:55] What inspired Shelmina’s journey from humble beginnings to executive leadership[06:01] Why defining your own version of success changes everything[09:08] The role of boundaries in sustainable success[11:57] How to build your own Personal Success Plan (PSP)[14:46] Why relationships are not optional—they’re strategic[18:04] How challenges build confidence and resilience[22:00] How to say “no” with grace and protect your personal brand[25:00] Why weekly reflection builds momentum and motivation[28:30] Intentional growth: how to stay relevant for the long game[33:00] How to redefine success over time and trust your inner potential[40:55] A call to action: pull others up as you rise[42:30] Lightning round: Get to know Shelmina on a personal levelI hope you find as much inspiration in this conversation as I did. Let’s keep breaking barriers and lifting each other as we climb—together we can ROAR!Let's ConnectInstagramLinkedInConnect with Shelmina Babai AbjiWebsiteFacebookInstagramXLinkedInBuy her book: Show Your Worth on AmazonExplore her AI platform

In this powerful episode of ROAR, host Lakecia Gunter sits down with Rachel Skaff—Head of North America Partner Sales at AWS and a longtime champion for mentorship and inclusive leadership. From her roots in civil engineering to driving cloud innovation at one of the world’s most influential tech companies, Rachel shares her inspiring journey and the life lessons she’s picked up along the way. She opens up about how mentorship shaped her career pivots and why building authentic relationships can unlock personal and professional growth.Together, Lakecia and Rachel dive into the evolving role of AI in career development and the enduring power of human connection. You’ll hear practical tips on how to start your own mentorship journey, how to leverage AI as a support tool, and why the simple act of “just starting” can lead to unexpected breakthroughs. Whether you're early in your career or navigating new terrain as a leader, this episode will spark action and reflection.In this episode, you will learn:[03:59] Rachel’s unexpected journey from a cattle ranch and civil engineering to tech leadership at AWS[10:00] The pivotal role mentors played in shaping her career transitions[13:44] How to naturally build mentorship relationships through generosity and curiosity[17:10] The two most powerful words to remember when starting anything new[22:06] The rapid evolution of AI and how to stay grounded through human connection[27:55] Free and practical ways to start learning about AI today[30:53] Why no one makes it alone—and how to overcome the fear of asking for help[35:33] A final piece of wisdom: “It never gets easier. You just get better.”I hope you find as much inspiration in this conversation as I did. Let’s keep breaking barriers and lifting each other as we climb—together we can ROAR!Let's ConnectInstagramLinkedInConnect with Rachel SkaffLinkedInThe Ella Project

In this insightful episode of ROAR, I sit down with communication expert Jenna Lange to explore the intersection of AI and authentic human connection. They delve into the art of high-stakes communication, the critical role of storytelling, and how leaders can adapt in an AI-driven world while maintaining authenticity. Jenna shares her personal journey, her key lessons learned in executive communication, and why building genuine relationships is more vital than ever in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.With AI increasingly shaping our interactions, Jenna and Lakecia discuss how to balance efficiency with meaningful connection. They unpack strategies leaders can use to communicate effectively, avoid common pitfalls, and harness AI tools without losing the human touch. If you’re looking for actionable insights on how to communicate with clarity, connect with purpose, and lead with authenticity, this episode is a must-listen!In This Episode, You Will Learn:[04:22] Jenna’s fascinating journey into the world of communication and how global experiences shaped her expertise.[07:56] The three pillars of effective communication: connect, be clear, and compel.[10:56] AI’s impact on communication—how it enhances efficiency and the risks of replacing human connection.[14:11] Strategies to ensure AI adoption strengthens, rather than diminishes, authentic relationships.[19:25] How AI-powered agents are being developed to help leaders scale their communication skills.[26:03] The evolution of authentic leadership in a tech-driven world and why leaders must learn to flex between their different “authentic selves.”[32:52] Tips for building real connections in the workplace outside of high-stakes meetings.[38:15] The power of curiosity and how it leads to meaningful engagement and trust.I hope you find as much inspiration in this conversation as I did. Let’s keep breaking barriers and lifting each other as we climb—together we can ROAR!Let's ConnectInstagramLinkedInConnect with Jenna Lange WebsiteLinkedInBook: Jenna Lange - Please Don't Picture Them Naked 

In this powerful episode of ROAR, I sit down with the inspiring Merline Saintil—a tech trailblazer and Fortune 500 board director—to explore how breaking barriers, authentic networking, and redefining leadership can transform careers. We dive deep into her journey from a software engineer overcoming early language barriers to becoming a respected leader in the tech industry. Merline shares intimate insights about how mentorship, perseverance, and a commitment to service have shaped her career and allowed her to create groundbreaking initiatives like Black Women on Boards.Our conversation also shines a light on the importance of sharing our stories and building non-overlapping networks that empower us to seize new opportunities. I was especially moved by Merline’s candid advice on being intentional with your time and taking risks in your career, as well as her work on the Onboard documentary—a film that highlights the challenges and triumphs of Black women in leadership. Tune in to discover actionable strategies for fostering diversity and inclusion in your own organization and learn how you too can ROAR with reflection, opportunity, action, and relationships.In This Episode You Will Learn:[00:59] The Essence of ROAR: Discover what ROAR stands for and why every one of us carries a hidden power waiting to be unleashed.[01:28] Redefining Leadership: Learn how Merline’s unique approach to leadership and authentic networking has opened doors in the tech industry.[03:48] From Engineer to Board Director: Hear Merline’s transformative journey from a software engineer to leading global product teams and serving on Fortune 500 boards.[08:31] The Power of Networking: Understand how building non-overlapping networks and authentic relationships can propel your career.[15:34] Founding Black Women on Boards: Get insights into the mission behind Black Women on Boards and how it’s reshaping diversity in corporate America.[22:45] The Onboard Documentary: Learn about the vision for the Onboard documentary and its role in spotlighting the challenges faced by Black women in leadership.[32:00] Final Leadership Advice: Absorb Merline’s empowering advice on risk-taking, seizing opportunities, and understanding that “pressure is a privilege.”I hope you find as much inspiration in this conversation as I did. Let’s keep breaking barriers and lifting each other as we climb—together we can ROAR!Let's ConnectInstagramLinkedInConnect with Merline SaintilInstagramWebsiteLinkedIn

Roar is back, everyone! I'm Lakecia Gunter and I unveil our upcoming season centered on the transformative power of connection. Let's explore how building authentic relationships and harnessing innovative technologies like AI can unlock doors to unprecedented opportunities in our rapidly evolving world. Join me as I prepare to engage with industry leaders, innovators, and trailblazers who are reshaping success, and get ready to embark on a journey where connection is the key to unlocking your greatest potential. New episodes drop every other Tuesday—subscribe and connect with me on LinkedIn, X or Instagram to share your thoughts and join the conversation!

Only 37% of professionals have a mentor. This statistic is surprising, as mentorship is the secret behind so many successful people. Modern mentoring and the power of mentorship can help you achieve your goals—both personally and professionally. We should all be seeking to develop our skills, continually learning new things, and challenging ourselves on a regular basis, which takes a good degree of devotion and commitment. In a mentor, you have someone who can help guide, advise, and teach you through a problem or towards a goal. My guest today is Lani Phillips, vice president of global partner solutions, US Channel Sales for Microsoft. She has over 20 years of experience and inclusive leadership and transformation management in the tech industry and has developed a reputation for being a transformational and inclusive leader who is committed to empowering people. Her passion for inspiring, transforming and growing leaders lead her to launch Modern Mentoring with Lani Phillips, a digital mentoring series created with the intention of sharing wisdom globally and making it accessible for anyone looking to thrive in corporate spaces.In this episode, you’ll hear Lani’s personal experience with mentorship, how it has contributed greatly to her success and why she believes so deeply in the practice.  She shares how she took to heart her mother’s prioritization of education, why it’s important not to limit our network, and how she recently launched her own digital show centered on modern mentoring, What You Will Learn:The power of mentorship from a young age (09:59)Deliberate career planning is one key to success (13:57)Before looking for a mentor, define your needs (18:27)Mentorships should have a defined start and end date (22:19)The importance of valuing every member on your team (29:15)A sponsor should also be an advocate (32:39)Connect with Lani Phillips:Modern Mentoring with Lani PhillipsLinkedInLet’s connect!LinkedInTwitterInstagram